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Shop Rules

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Lucid Moments

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Joined
Aug 9, 2015
Messages
1,775
Location
Gainesville, Ga
Do any of y'all with your own personal shops have serious rules for friends that you let use your shop? I have let some friends use my shop and they have abused it a little. Not in a major way, but just enough to annoy me. I am thinking about having some shop rules printed up on some sign board to make a point. Here are the ones I am considering.

1. No Smoking
2. Clean up after yourself
3. If you borrow my tools make sure they go back where you got them
4. Take out your own trash
5. My shop is not your parts storage

I really don't think I should have to say any of these, but apparently I do.
 
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BlakeTheCarGuy

ALLIANCE MEMBER
Joined
Oct 10, 2018
Messages
9,298
Location
Roanoke Virginia
You have more trust than I do for sure nobody borrows anything from me not even my dad because he is not gentle on things especially tools he broke every single one of my new Gearwrench flex head ratcheting wrenches by slamming them against the frame of his truck in anger luckily they got warrantied after I explained what happened to them Gearwrench said thanks for being honest we will warranty them for you and at my home shop I have to be there ever since I came home to find my friend cutting his tire off the rim with a hack saw and it didn’t work too well because it wouldn’t cut the bead lol


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Dan in Pasadena

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Joined
Feb 18, 2009
Messages
13,103
Location
Pasadena, CA
BlakeTheCarGuy said:
You have more trust than I do for sure nobody borrows anything from me not even my dad because he is not gentle on things especially tools he broke every single one of my new Gearwrench flex head ratcheting wrenches by slamming them against the frame of his truck in anger luckily they got warrantied after I explained what happened to them Gearwrench said thanks for being honest we will warranty them for you and at my home shop I have to be there ever since I came home to find my friend cutting his tire off the rim with a hack saw and it didn’t work too well because it wouldn’t cut the bead lol


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Click to expand...

Dad's got an anger management problem, huh?:lol:
 
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liliysdad

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Joined
Jul 18, 2008
Messages
5,372
If I consider them friends, there aren't any rules. Smoke, drink, cuss, borrow my stuff....that's what makes friends friends.
 
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liliysdad

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Joined
Jul 18, 2008
Messages
5,372
I don't guess I get the huge aversion to folks smoking. I don't smoke, haven't in a couple of decades....but I sure don't care if others do. I would hate to think that one of my friends would be less likely to hang out if he couldn't smoke while he was here.
 
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liliysdad

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 18, 2008
Messages
5,372
The Cobbler said:
I am an ex smoker, I hate the smell of smoke. it lingers for a few days. they can smoke outside .
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Fair enough...as an ex smoker myself, the smell doesn't bother me a bit...even enjoy the odor on occasion. That being said, I don't care to run a smoking lounge, and the outside rule is more than reasonable.

I guess I assumed the "no smoking" was inclusive of the whole area, not just the interior of the shop.
 
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Bogie1632

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 18, 2018
Messages
1,303
Location
Southeastern Wisconsin
1. No smoking.
2. My radio, dont touch it. You don't like 80s? **** it up cause that's likely what were listening to.
3. Ask before doing something stupid.
4. No cameras.
5. If you ask for help, then I help. That means your doing most of the work. If you want me to do it that's cool, but get out of the way.
6. Your project isn't my project so it's not staying in my garage for an extended period of time.
7. Most important rule... You brake my tools you will be replacing them.

I have a cousin that I help frequently who has broken rules 2, 3 & 7.

This thread reminds me I need to make a sign of my rules to post in the garage.

V/R
Bogie
 
OP
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Lucid Moments

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 9, 2015
Messages
1,775
Location
Gainesville, Ga
liliysdad said:
I don't guess I get the huge aversion to folks smoking. I don't smoke, haven't in a couple of decades....but I sure don't care if others do. I would hate to think that one of my friends would be less likely to hang out if he couldn't smoke while he was here.
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I'm a quitter myself, but honestly the smell doesn't bother me. Having to pick butts up around the shop bothers me though. Every smoker I have ever met, including myself back when I smoked, is careless of their ashes and their cigarette butts and it is just plain disgusting.
 
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Dan in Pasadena

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Joined
Feb 18, 2009
Messages
13,103
Location
Pasadena, CA
nadogail said:
If you put the shop toilet seat down, when you're finished put it back up where it belongs.
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OMG, really? A toilet seat rule? To me, that's a woman's hang up.

I've NEVER understood a woman's hang up with men not putting the seat down. If they sit down in a bowl of water in the middle of the night it's their own damn fault - watch where you put your ***! Don't put it on me.

No, it's NOT about "being considerate". You don't put it up when you leave so why do I have to put it down when I leave?
 
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atch

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 4, 2006
Messages
842
Location
Columbia, Missouri
In the 20 years I've lived out here in the boonies only once has anyone come here for shop help/use. A friend wanted some of those huge "mudder" tires mounted and I have a tire machine. It's only the equivalent of those cheapie H-F units, but it worked.

So distance has played a big part in this. My friends come here to see me; not use my shop.

Besides, most of my friends have better shops than I do.

My only friend who smoked is now deceased, but when he was alive he always went outside to smoke. We never worked in my shop; just hung out and visited.
 
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Outlander

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Joined
Jul 30, 2010
Messages
5,154
Location
Quebec, Canada
Most of my friends are more knowledgeable than me so if they come over they are afraid they will be put to work!

One day I'll reveal to the GJ about the time my friend was headed over because my new ATV wouldn't start :)
 
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Rc_Guy

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Joined
Apr 14, 2013
Messages
4,415
Location
Minnesota
bczygan said:
No one uses my shop or is even allowed in it.

I am the one and only master and inhabitant of my domain.

Might need a set of rules for myself though!

Bill
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you don't even let your buddies in your shop to bs with you while you are in the shop?
 
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ducatithunder

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 15, 2016
Messages
317
Location
Annapolis-ish, MD
You break it you bought it.
Bring 2 cans of brake clean and 2 rolls of shop towels for stockpile.
Bring your own Gojo and a case of beer for me.
If its still here when I leave for sea youll see it in two months when I get back. Keeps projects from lingering.
 
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glentre

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Joined
May 21, 2016
Messages
909
Location
Gloucester, Virginia
For you younger guys who put strict demands on your friends, consider what happens when you get older. Now in my 80's, I only have one friend left who wrenches in his garage and his is better equipped than mine. My sons live too far away to use it and all the rest are gone. At this point, I would sure love to have buddies to work with in my shop. Your time will come so welcome the friends you have now even if they sometimes break your rules.

Glen
 
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Jinks

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Joined
Aug 28, 2012
Messages
2,885
Location
Daytona Beach
glentre said:
For you younger guys who put strict demands on your friends, consider what happens when you get older. Now in my 80's, I only have one friend left who wrenches in his garage and his is better equipped than mine. My sons live too far away to use it and all the rest are gone. At this point, I would sure love to have buddies to work with in my shop. Your time will come so welcome the friends you have now even if they sometimes break your rules.

Glen
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Don't be too hard on yourself Glen. I used to have big free parties for the motorcycle events here in Daytona. 15 to 20 people staying at the house, & 60 or more coming by for food & drinks. I thought I was "friend rich"! As the years passed the faces changed, people came & went. Only a couple dozen seemed to be "real" friends & regulars at all the events. That was fine, & I expected some of it. What surprised me was the number that began to assume social rules & courtesy didn't apply to them. I had "friends" that would stay at my home, eat my food, & criticize everything I did...:wtf: I had "friends" that would use tools, facilities, et., & leave messes everywhere. One that I thought a *good* friend spent a lot of time at my house. I was at his house 4 times in 20 years....:dunno: After I stopped riding & holding the big parties he wouldn't stop by even when he was passing the area on the interstate hwy 15 miles away.

Over the last few years I've whittled the number of "friends" down to a few that I consider real friends. None live close, but they visit & invite us to visit them. We travel together & enjoy each others company. I'd rather have few good friends than a bunch of fake friends. At our ages it's hard to keep friends & harder to mold to the wants & needs of new people.
 
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LeonardY

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Joined
Apr 16, 2011
Messages
5,020
Location
Southern California
I only have rules for people I don't want in my garage/shop.

I usually just say something nicely if someone doing something I don't care for.
The hard part is when a friend brings their kid with them. Kids are curious and I don't want to squash the curiosity. I'll take the time to show them a few things and maybe make something simple with them.
 
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PWC Repair

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Joined
Dec 27, 2012
Messages
3,165
Location
Arkansas
glentre said:
For you younger guys who put strict demands on your friends, consider what happens when you get older. Now in my 80's, I only have one friend left who wrenches in his garage and his is better equipped than mine. My sons live too far away to use it and all the rest are gone. At this point, I would sure love to have buddies to work with in my shop. Your time will come so welcome the friends you have now even if they sometimes break your rules.

Glen
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Glen, do you go to local car shows? Belong to a club? It sounds like you need to open yourself up a little. Car guys are car guys.....no matter the age or if they like working on a turbo Subaru instead of a '69 Camaro. I'm 43 and know a few guys in their 70's who I'm glad to call friends. Met them at car shows!! Maybe there are some younger guys who don't have the luxury of a garage and would enjoy the help of a seasoned wrencher. Maybe a "shop night" once a month where several guys hang out and help whoever needs it that month. Live it up while you're still living man :rocker:
 
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glentre

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Joined
May 21, 2016
Messages
909
Location
Gloucester, Virginia
Not feeling sorry for myself because I keep very busy and we do belong to a club plus have a good group of social friends we see often.... just commenting that the friends who drop by to hang with you in your garage or do some work in your shop I would consider a blessing and not a nuisance.

Glen
 
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larry_g

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 28, 2007
Messages
16,863
Location
oregon
I'm a bit different in the putting away of tools. I Have kids (adult) that use the shop and I have no problem with that. I do ask that they clean up and any tools they use put them on the bench for ME to put away. That way I'm sure they are clean, serviceable, and in the correct place. Way to many times I've found the metric screwdrivers in with the fractional ones.

lg
no neat sig line ;)
 
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Boilerhouse

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 20, 2012
Messages
1,320
Location
Muskoka
I often let my neighbours use my shop for repair projects as long as I am there to help. My rules are that I don't need any thanks and I don't want any reward. This seems to work perfect as I always get something when the job is done - a $50 restaurant gift certificate last outing. LOL - My neighbours don't seem to be good with rules.
 
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Robbie B

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Joined
Jun 24, 2014
Messages
1,320
Location
Sunny side of hell
BlakeTheCarGuy said:
You have more trust than I do for sure nobody borrows anything from me not even my dad because he is not gentle on things especially tools he broke every single one of my new Gearwrench flex head ratcheting wrenches by slamming them against the frame of his truck in anger luckily they got warrantied after I explained what happened to them Gearwrench said thanks for being honest we will warranty them for you and at my home shop I have to be there ever since I came home to find my friend cutting his tire off the rim with a hack saw and it didn’t work too well because it wouldn’t cut the bead lol


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Click to expand...


We aren’t long lost brothers are we??? My dad was the same way.
 
S

sberry

Banned
Joined
Jun 18, 2005
Messages
35,747
Location
Brethren, Michigan
You can smoke in there, you can drink in there you can fornication in there if you want. Sweep it up a little, I am used to others using my tools. Only thing I care is not to smoke in my office, it hangs in there.
 
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nadogail

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Joined
Jan 23, 2009
Messages
31,899
Location
Coronado, CA
Dan in Pasadena said:
OMG, really? A toilet seat rule? To me, that's a woman's hang up.

I've NEVER understood a woman's hang up with men not putting the seat down. If they sit down in a bowl of water in the middle of the night it's their own damn fault - watch where you put your ***! Don't put it on me.

No, it's NOT about "being considerate". You don't put it up when you leave so why do I have to put it down when I leave?
Click to expand...

................... It is my shop, I seldom sit when using the toilet so visitors should return things to they were before they moved them.
 
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67CarGuy

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Joined
Feb 6, 2008
Messages
763
Location
Outside Boston, MA
glentre said:
Not feeling sorry for myself because I keep very busy and we do belong to a club plus have a good group of social friends we see often.... just commenting that the friends who drop by to hang with you in your garage or do some work in your shop I would consider a blessing and not a nuisance.

Glen
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Glen, you're welcome to stop by my garage/shop the next time you're near Baltimore. :) I can always use another friend! If I ever make it near your neck of the woods, I'll reach out. :beer:

Limited rules in my shop:
  • Ask first
  • Respect the tools
  • Safety third!

Honestly, if I know you well enough to have you in my shop, you probably don't need to ask about using something. In my opinion, friends trust each other, and the relationship needs some amount of reciprocity. Trust and respect are two-way streets, and I'm happy to help on projects and share tools and knowledge as its needed.
 
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