lending tools issue.

[Laugarshabz]

Hello everyone. Just thought I'd get everyone's opinion on here.

I work in an independent and have been there for approximately 9 years. Over the years I have worked with lots of other mechanics who have come and gone. The issue is that over the years, the mechanics I have worked with have never had a full set of tools to get the job done. Now I understand that some people have diff money problems and sometimes cannot afford to buy lots of tools.so i have let them borrow mine.

On quite a few occasions they have either lost or broken or even just left it lying around. When lost or broken, they have been replaced when pushed and at times there has been dispute whether they even borrowed it not.

Currently I am the only mechanic there but once we get someone else here, I am considering one of two things, either a complete ban on someone using my tools, or letting them use at a cost of maybe 5 or 10 pounds a day (considering i have nearly eight thousand pounds worth of tools).

What would your good selves do in my situation?

 

[General Geoff]

When I was renting a garage with three other guys including my cousin (very trustworthy), what ended up happening was that my cousin and I exchanged keys to our tool cabinets so we could borrow each others' tools whenever we needed them. The other two guys (who had a penchant for losing and breaking tools) could borrow our tools only when one of us was there, so we could keep an eye on them.

 

[sysfailur]

They need to learn some respect for other peoples property. When I borrow tools and I am done for the day I always put them back exactly where I found them. It is a courtesy that should be extended considering you are helping another out.

Perhaps let them know that if it is not back where it should be at the end of the day, they lose the ability to borrow tools.

 

[thooks]

Don't let the others borrow your tools. Period. Then, you don't have a problem.

 

[dlcwent]

There was a thread on this a few months ago. I'll try and find you the link.

Bottom line. Don't lend out your tools unless you can bang his wife.

 

[RumT]

I've had the opportunity to have quite a few upcoming mechanics work with me. They all came with the basic basics and we let them borrow the things they needed that would expedite or enable a job, while keeping them on a short leash (aviation). That being said, when tool truck day came, these individuals took little or no nudging to add to their sets, within reason. No one was expected to order every item that gave us an edge in what we did in one visit. I've also worked around individuals that netted EVERYONE locking their boxes when not in line of site.

Your Results May Vary

 

[Monte]

They earn money with tools so they can buy them.

 

[BirdMobile]

...Bottom line. Don't lend out your tools unless you can bang his wife.

A reasonable policy.

 

[jakemac]

When I was working, I didn't mind lending tools. BUT, I always made it clear that it was a "one strike and your out" policy. If you didn't return a clean undamaged tool as soon as you were done with it, then you won't get to borrow my tools again. If you break it, you'd better have an equal replacement when you come in to work the next day. And don't EVER touch my tools without asking first.

I'm not a large guy, but I made sure that all my co-workers were terrified of touching my tools without permission, and that they treated them with respect when they did. It got to the point that I didn't even have to say anything to the new guys. My co-workers would spread the word before I even saw the new kid.

Lay down the law first, make friends later.

 

[Davefr]

What would your good selves do in my situation?

If you're in a shop, there's a certain level or mutual cooperation/teamwork that's a good thing.

If you're too uncooperative then next time you need help from another tech. they may just tell you "you're on your own".

I'd set down very firm rules and employ a 1 strike your out policy just like jakemac suggested.

 

[nes999]

I will only lend tools to 1 or 2 people I work with and they are the type were itd be replaced with something better instantly.


Personally, if i was in your situation i wouldn't lend my tools out.

 

[Zeke]

The responsibility rests equally between the lendee and the lendor.

 

[Garage Junky]

Don't lend your tools. If they're mechanics they need to have their own tools, period.

I work in finance, I supply my own calculator.

 

[SantaAna12]

I have worked with and around the two basic choices to this question.

If you can walk the middle line....one that contains the necessary respect....do it.

Easier said than done. Perhaps the "one strike" post is best.

 

[Davefr]

There are probably various degrees of lending.

The guy that needs to borrow a 10mm wrench or a 3/8" flex ratchet has no business being a tech.

However if he's working on a specific model that requires a highly specialized SST that the sr. tech next stall over happens to have, that's a different scenario IMHO.

 

[JonDick13926]

One thing I've seen a couple of people do is take a collateral. Car keys, wallet, money. Something they'll get back when they give your stuff back. I've personally never done that. I just loan the tools out and I've always gotten them back, but I rarely have to, because most people have the same stuff that I do. Except 1/2" sockets. Idk what it is about 1/2" drive tools, and no one buying them. I'm just as stocked, if not more, on 1/2" drive stuff as I am 3/8".

 

[metaldad]

I'm an industrial hvac service mekanic.
I do not lend tools out, except to a chosen few.
Too many times, things disappeared, or were returned broken.

 

[colin39]

I work with a great bunch of guys and we all have extensive tool kits I probably have 15k in my kit ranging to one guy in the shop that has about 40k in his, now we all have a kind of "no problem borrowing each others tools policy" but we also have another thing going.
If I were to say borrow a tool from a fellow engineer I would when an appropriate tool guy comes in buy that tool and vice versa if they borrowed from me they would buy that tool.
This working relationship works and has done in every shop ive worked in.

 

[wagzilla]

Hmmm I work with firefighters so they don't have tools most of the time. So I just write down there name and cross it off when they come back. I only asked they wipe it down with wd40 and tell me if they broke it, so I don't go to use it and its broken........grrrrrrrrr

James

 

[Jim C.]

I'm just a DIYer and I never loan tools to anyone for any reason. I couldn't imagine loaning a tool that I made a living with to some other "professional mechanic" in the shop. If you're a pro, then you should have your own stuff.

For some unknown reason about ten years ago I broke my own rule when a neighbor, who I liked at the time, asked to borrow my 14" pipe wrench. Said he'd return it the next day. Okay. It's just a pipe wrench I thought. Well, after two weeks and still not having my wrench back, I saw him and mentioned that he still hadn't returned my wrench. He said he had one more project to finish, and still needed it. Okay. Another TWO MONTHS went by and still no wrench. One day his garage door was up so I walked across the street and went rummaging around on his workbench. At the bottom of the clutter and miscellaneous stuff was my wrench. It had a few new scuffs on it and a nice sized ding on the handle (almost like it was used to knock something into place). I picked up my wrench, walked back across the street, and that was that. My neighbor never said a word about it. He never asked if I took back the wrench or offered to replace it because it had been misplaced. Nothing. Not a word. I vowed to NEVER again break my own rule about loaning out tools.

I DON'T LOAN TOOLS!!!

Jim C.

 

[Dcampbell98xj]

At my shop we all have an understanding. 1. You don't borrow tools without first asking. 2. You must return it when done to where you found it and be wiped clean. 3. If you need to borrow a tool more then 3 or 4 times, you should be in the process of buying your own. After the 5th time people are going to get annoyed. We have 6 techs at my shop so the tools are always available when needed on any given day. But if it's something you continuously need to do your job buy the damn tool. The tool truck guys will almost always work out a payment plan.

 

[rlebroke51]

I work in a small shop like that, me and another guy are the mechanics we both have our own boxes with tools, but sometimes the drivers come in to do things to their trucks or help us out. luckily my boss has bought a toolbox and filled it with stuff and that is for everyone. if im working with the driver I don't mind them using stuff from my box but I don't like when they come in and just grab stuff, I usually point them towards the company box. the only issue with the company box is stuff tends to disappear or the box becomes super unorganized and the boss gets after us to keep it organized.

 

[jd_1138]

Get a few stickers for your boxes:

 

[OutsideMachinist]

No dont let them use them till you feel them out and see if they are a good guy. Or make your boss buy some cheap china tools for the guy to use. Or preferably both. If you charge him he will think he has a right he doesnt deserve to them. My opinion.

Make the boss do it period. Anty up or hire someone with tools. Obviously rare items or once in a while is acceptable so use your own judgement.

 

[JDon99]

If they are a professional mechanic, they should have a decent set of tools of their own. I can see them not having more specialized tools, but the basic stuff, I wouldn't borrow out, they should already own it. Make out a basic list of tools that they will be required to supply and provide this info to any that you may hire.

 

[fdcobra93]

I've been a ford tech for 18 years You can often tell who you can let borrow tools and the others you can tell to go pound sand. My thinking is if I borrow something twice I buy it. My wife does not agree with that idea one bit. I have a key for my toolbox hidden that a select few know where it is and if they need to borrow something go ahead but put it back when your done. Also I have keys for another tech toolbox and we go and use what we need. It seems to work out ok.

 

[steed andersen]

When I was working, I didn't mind lending tools. BUT, I always made it clear that it was a "one strike and your out" policy. If you didn't return a clean undamaged tool as soon as you were done with it, then you won't get to borrow my tools again. If you break it, you'd better have an equal replacement when you come in to work the next day. And don't EVER touch my tools without asking first.

I'm not a large guy, but I made sure that all my co-workers were terrified of touching my tools without permission, and that they treated them with respect when they did. It got to the point that I didn't even have to say anything to the new guys. My co-workers would spread the word before I even saw the new kid.

Lay down the law first, make friends later.

That's how I do it and I am big.

 

[Ohmthis]

I agree with jdon99, sit down with your boss over a pint and make a list of tools required for the job. When a new hire comes in, give them the list and make it known that is what is required for the first day. Anyone worth a **** will have their own tools. That also let's a person know this is a serious business and we expect good techs.

 

[Thumper68]

Back when I worked with the field techs if they wanted to borrow say my rotary hammer I would ask them for a deposit $100 or so, when it came nack in good condition then they got their money back. For the drill I would also ask them what bit they needed and only that bit went with them.

 

[GMTECH1]

Here's what I did. I'm a tech in a fairly large GM shop, around 22 techs. I spread the word that if you want to ask me a question, bring a repair order and I'm going to flag .3 hrs on it just for you asking me. If you want me to walk over and "help you out" it's .5 hrs. If you need to borrow a tool, it's .5 hrs.

Guys pretty much leave me alone now.

It's funny because I didn't really mean it, but the word was out that I was serious.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[toolslut6.0]

There are probably various degrees of lending.

The guy that needs to borrow a 10mm wrench or a 3/8" flex ratchet has no business being a tech.

However if he's working on a specific model that requires a highly specialized SST that the sr. tech next stall over happens to have, that's a different scenario IMHO.

Completely agree. There are a few times I've loaned out my snappy angle metric wrenches because they are 45 and 60 degree offset instead of 15 and 60 offset. Idk if that counts but if a tech doesn't have a 3/8 flex head ratchet of his own I do not know how he does his job. Must be a much better tech than I.

 

[RedneckWelder]

I'm fortunate enough to work with guys that respect borrowed tools. If you borrow it you make sure it gets back in as good or better condition than it was borrowed in and if you break it either you make damn sure it gets warrantied right away or you buy a new one.

There is no excuse for poor treatment of the tools another mechanic makes his living with. No excuse.

If I suffered a rash of my tools being mistreated when I lent them out, I would stop lending them out and tell askers what the issue was, at the very least I would stop lending to the abusers and only lend to the ones that respected your stuff.

It is nice to work with adults for a change...

 

[BDT/NWMN]

I am rather particular as to how my tools are used and cared for... Sadly, there are a multitude of people who differ.... They mistreat their own tools,, don't return things when done, and think nothing of it.... I like to help folks out, but have been taken advantage of too many times... The inner circle of people I loan to has gotten smaller with age and the lessons learned.

 

[Dan_inthewind]

It seems to me that your asking for advice on a problem that you have created.

5 or 10 pounds will not cover lost or broken tools.

If it is a specialized tool that only the most senior tech has then perhaps a new tech should not be doing the job.

If you respect and value your tools and lending them worries you then do not lend them.

If you lend them because YOU think you should then YOU accept the result.

Cheers!

 

[spoon671]

A3. If you need to borrow a tool more then 3 or 4 times, you should be in the process of buying your own. After the 5th time people are going to get annoyed.

I can understand this. I'm sometimes embarrassed to ask to borrow a tool, unless I really get along with the guy. But even then, two or three times and I'm done. Buying my own.

 

[Supe]

Currently I am the only mechanic there but once we get someone else here, I am considering one of two things, either a complete ban on someone using my tools, or letting them use at a cost of maybe 5 or 10 pounds a day (considering i have nearly eight thousand pounds worth of tools).

What would your good selves do in my situation?

I like this suggestion:

I agree with jdon99, sit down with your boss over a pint and make a list of tools required for the job. When a new hire comes in, give them the list and make it known that is what is required for the first day. Anyone worth a **** will have their own tools. That also let's a person know this is a serious business and we expect good techs.

Were your previous colleagues asking to borrow the basics or specialised tools?

 

[monomach]

Hello everyone. Just thought I'd get everyone's opinion on here.

I work in an independent and have been there for approximately 9 years. Over the years I have worked with lots of other mechanics who have come and gone. The issue is that over the years, the mechanics I have worked with have never had a full set of tools to get the job done. Now I understand that some people have diff money problems and sometimes cannot afford to buy lots of tools.so i have let them borrow mine.

On quite a few occasions they have either lost or broken or even just left it lying around. When lost or broken, they have been replaced when pushed and at times there has been dispute whether they even borrowed it not.

Currently I am the only mechanic there but once we get someone else here, I am considering one of two things, either a complete ban on someone using my tools, or letting them use at a cost of maybe 5 or 10 pounds a day (considering i have nearly eight thousand pounds worth of tools).

What would your good selves do in my situation?

I definitely wouldn't charge rent for tools. That would destroy any chance at having the right kind of environment in the shop. I'd still lend them out...just not to anyone who has left them laying around or broken them and tried to weasel out of replacing them.

Everyone has to borrow things when they first get in the business. That's just the nature of our industry with the stupid "buy your own tools" handicap owners across the country saddle us with. None of us had everything we needed in our first week, month, or even year. Usually the rule is once you borrow a particular tool three or four times, you know damned well that you're going to be needing to have one, so you really need to start researching brands and get into the process of acquiring your own. If you borrow something ten times, there's going to be a level of annoyance that is unacceptable. Don't let someone borrow the same tool fifty times or anything like that. If you do, they'll just never get their own.

Never allow people to go into your box. If they want to borrow something, you should always hand it to them personally and have them hand it back to you when they're done so you can check the condition and keep track of things. Nothing is quite so infuriating as going to your box for a specialty tool you need to get a car off of your lift and finding out someone "borrowed" it and never told you. If you're flat rate, you don't have time to play hide-and-go-seek with your own tools all over the shop. I've seen a guy chased a couple of hundred feet by a pissed off tech with a pry bar over that one.

There are probably various degrees of lending.

The guy that needs to borrow a 10mm wrench or a 3/8" flex ratchet has no business being a tech.

Haha. Haven't seen that one yet. A request for a 10mm wrench better involve showing me the one you just broke and explaining why you don't have a backup set.

I'd guess I'd let someone use a flex ratchet on his first day. I grew up never using one; I'm not sure they existed. I didn't use one until I was 25 or so. By that time, engine compartments had changed enough and flex heads were around, so I picked one up. It's conceivable that he never knew he needed it, especially if he grew up with RWD cars. He'd better be fixing that problem that night, though. I mean, you can get a decent 72t Taiwan flex-head at Harbor Freight or Lowe's that pays for itself after two or three uses.

 

[jd_1138]

What's needed is some dude like Louie DePalma -- the boss on Taxi, sitting in a cage and making the techs sign out tools.

This guy probably borrowed a lot of tools from the cage.

 

[XxToolAholicxX]

I would lend them a tool and see how they go about it. Is he she gonna give it back in the same condition. Its like if they going to build credit or trust. If they default once or twice then its a no more borrowing my tools. Set rules for borrowing tools. After all they are your tools.



I am a Toolaholic,Sometimes I regret it,Especially when the Toolman wont give me no credit

 

[Wrenches of Death]

Guys pretty much leave me alone now.

Sheer genius!


WoD