tool loan to friend

[brownbagg]

i got a 10 ft siding bender, cant think of name, pro something any way, freind wants to borrow it. i don feel right. if he stops at lowes, its stolen, its a ten footer, might fall out, he a friend, I never see it again. I got $900 in it. I just dont like loaning tools

am I wrong? he can use it all he wants at my house. I just dont want it off my acre. around here, people steal them in a heartbeat. one fell off a truck, it was gone before the driver stopped

 

[The Cobbler]

your tools, your rules.
I don;t blame you for your concerns. a true friend will understand. if he can't understand, and gets pissed at you, it's not your fault

 

[kbeefy]

I would not want to live where your at.

If you have a bad feeling about it, don't do it!
I learned way to late in life to listen to my gut. Probably would have been less painfull if I didn't do what I thought I shouldn't, but wheres the fun in that?


Anyways, what if you both deliver it together to where he needs it? Would that make you feel any better?

My friends and I loan tools all the time.

 

[kaymccampbell]

It's called a siding brake. No tool loans. I'll come over and help, but they never leave my sight.

 

[RTM]

I only have one $900 tool, and I wouldn’t loan it either. I won’t loan tools that can maim people easily either, unless I really know they know how to use it. I have other tools specifically for loaning so I don’t have to loan mY good stuff.

People are welcome to work with me to use my $900 tool.

 

[wandrur]

If your hangup is about a friend borrowing a tool, he's not really a friend. Seriously. If you can't trust him with an object that belongs to you, regardless of the value of the tool, how can you possibly call him a friend? That relationship is based on the value of a thing and not the value of a person.

 

[engineer2]

Every time I've lent a tool to someone it comes back dirty or with something broken.
I would just **** it up because it's usually minor and these are friends and neighbors.
Now I try to keep quiet about what tools I own.

 

[Junkdrawer Dog]

Every time I've lent a tool to someone it comes back dirty or with something broken.
I would just **** it up because it's usually minor and these are friends and neighbors.
Now I try to keep quiet about what tools I own.

That's a smart way to do it.

 

[OneStaple]

If your hangup is about a friend borrowing a tool, he's not really a friend. Seriously. If you can't trust him with an object that belongs to you, regardless of the value of the tool, how can you possibly call him a friend? That relationship is based on the value of a thing and not the value of a person.

I'm not looking to pick a fight, but I've seen arguments like this before and don't think I agree with them. So more just sharing my point of view.

I agree that there should be trust in friends/family and we should practice being unselfish, but I also know that many of my friends/family have "shortcomings" in a variety of ways, just like I do. Some don't have the proper training to use my table saw or chain saw, for instance (I'm don't think that tool safety is the issue in this thread, but it's a common concern). Some aren't good at taking care of tools because they never learned that concept. Some are just scatter-brained and might forget where they put something or, as in this situation, not think through the concept of something potentially getting stolen when parked at Lowes. Things going wrong/broken/stolen could put a strain on the relationship too. In some cases, you could take time to teach a friend to remove those shortcomings/concerns, but that might not solve the "right now".

None of the above makes any of those people any less of a friend or someone I love. Or someone that loves me. But I think some discernment is needed for each particular situation to figure out what makes sense. Hopefully, the situation could be discussed openly with a true friend and an agreeable solution found, maybe with some give and take on each side.

There are a number of situations for me where I'll readily go out of the way to help a friend, but I use the tool, usually because of safety concerns (I'm not talking about wrenches or hammers here, which I'll fairly readily loan out). If they're not well trained on a potentially dangerous tool, I don't want to put that risk on them.

Just my thoughts,
Tyler

 

[simnil]

I'd expect a friend of mine to replace anything that he borrowed from me that got lost/stolen when in his care.
However, people have vastly different views on condition. What I consider "ruined" , dirty or broken others consider perfectly OK.
I take better care of borrowed stuff than my own, others are the opposite and some take as bad care of borrowed stuff as their own.
That said, some things i don't lend to anyone, some things to some people and a few to almost anyone who asks. I don't have a single rule of thumb, I go on a more case to case judgement, Fragility of tool/thing contra the person asking.

For me personally I prefer owning the tools I use, I'd feel bad if i borrowed something, broke it and having to buy two of them, (one replacement and one for myself as I obviously needed one), but I practically can't own every tool in the world so once in a while I need to borrow.

 

[mike93lx]

I've let "friends" borrow stuff that has come back damaged and real friends that take care of my stuff.

The ones that damage stuff don't get to borrow things anymore.

I am very willing to help people and share my tools. If I had a friend asking to borrow a brake, it would probably mean that they could use a hand with the work, so I'd be over there helping.

A brake rental at HD is not particularly expensive either. Just say that you don't want to loan it out and suggest they rent one

 

[brownbagg]

let me rephase "friend" he a nice guy that works in my building, thats about it, I have no idea where he lives or his family. except for the weekend stories in the morning, that about all I know about him

 

[Dave455]

Don’t do it!

It was drilled into me as a child that you never lend tools. There’s just too much to go wrong. People who don’t own a tool are far more likely to be tool abusers than those who do, and as you point out, who’s liable if it gets stolen.

If it helps, I always tell people that “I don’t lend tools”. If they are genuine friends they understand that. If not, I couldn’t care.

If someone is a good friend, I do sometimes offer to help them with a task, and I’ll use my own tools to do it. I only use what’s easily portable - hand tools etc. If any of my shop equipment is needed, then they come to me!

 

[mike93lx]

let me rephase "friend" he a nice guy that works in my building, thats about it, I have no idea where he lives or his family. except for the weekend stories in the morning, that about all I know about him

That would be a nope for me.

But I'd probably offer to help if I had time

 

[Big Bad Dad]

I have a siding brake from back when I was in the construction business. When I transported it to a jobsite, I always secured it with a chain and padlock, Now, it is at my house, and secured. I have a couple of friends that have used it. I told them to get their measurements and come on over to use the brake at my place. It ain't going out to be stolen from somebody's truck or yard!

 

[ChefRex]

let me rephase "friend" he a nice guy that works in my building, thats about it, I have no idea where he lives or his family. except for the weekend stories in the morning, that about all I know about him

Thank would be a hard nope!

 

[HeadsUp]

Do you still use it? If not sell it to him for what you've got in it.

If you still use it then it's a hard no since he is only an acquaintance

 

[KnurledNut]

i got a 10 ft siding bender, cant think of name, pro something any way, freind wants to borrow it. i don feel right. if he stops at lowes, its stolen, its a ten footer, might fall out, he a friend, I never see it again. I got $900 in it. I just dont like loaning tools

am I wrong? he can use it all he wants at my house. I just dont want it off my acre. around here, people steal them in a heartbeat. one fell off a truck, it was gone before the driver stopped

If a brake fell off a moving truck, it was most likely trashed. They probably did him a favor.

Most rogues wont fool with a 10-6 alone. They are unwieldy, noisy, difficult to carry more than a few feet, hard to transport, hard to store and keep hidden, hard to sell.

I have a ton of experience with these.
We dont loan ours. Even if theft is no issue.
They can easily be damaged if not handled, transported or used correctly.

Has he ever used one?
Was he expecting to borrow saw horses too?

Your offer to let him use it at your place is reasonable.
Have him get his measurements, grab a coil, come over, and if its his first rodeo, show him the basic techniques.

 

[SILVERPLATE]

I don’t loan tools period.

 

[Professional Tool User]

Unless it's something cheap and expendable, I don't lend out my tools.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Considering Some of MY countless experiences with loaning equipment, tools, money, vehicles, and time; I would decline that request.

 

[gatewaysysop]

As a general rule, being a hobbyist and not a professional, I don't loan tools to anyone. Yeah I'd make an exception for my father if he wasn't out of state, but other than him, hell no. Like others have mentioned, best policy is to not advertise what you have. Conspicuous wealth tends to attract borrowers and thieves.

Case in point, he's only asking to borrow because he knows you have it. How did that happen?

 

[Half-fast eddie]

Tell him for a six-pack and lunch you will bring the brake to his house, both of you work on the project, and take it home at the end of the day.

 

[Sumboodie]

I'd loan most of my friends the shirt right off my back, and probably my pants too. A tool, unless I need it, wouldn't bother me.

I've had a few ask to borrow my skid steer, that one I've had to say no to in the past. I needed it everyday to earn my living... and the whole $70k for a new one thing doesn't help either.

 

[brownbagg]

he's only asking to borrow because he knows you have it. How did that happen?

my boss

 

[brownbagg]

its hanging on the wall now, like they say, not easy to man handle, I want to leave it on the wall till I need it.

Doesnt HD rent them, he a block from HD

 

[CoogarXR]

Why is this even an issue? A guy you barely know? Uhh, no sir.

Just tell him you have a job to do with it. All month. And next month. And all the rest of the year, and next year, and...

 

[genog]

Don't loan it
If it were a good friend, I would offer to bring the tool over and help with the project, but the tool leaves with me.
....only a good friend.

Being a true friend doesn't mean that your tools are their tools

And neither do I expect it the other way around!
I never ask to borrow other peoples nor friend's tools.

 

[isb cornbinder]

I stopped lending tools decades ago. I would rather have "them" angry with me than for me to be angry. Loaning tools is not a way to make friends. I have lost more "friends" because of loan complications.
Why should I work extra to buy tools that I like and want then to lend to another person who is not willing to put that extra effort into buying their own tools.
It gets easier to say no every time. The requesting may never stop, but it has slowed to almost zero.

 

[Wiz02]

Wait ... GJers have friends?

 

[Kenstone1]

let me rephase "friend" he a nice guy that works in my building, that's about it, I have no idea where he lives or his family. except for the weekend stories in the morning, that about all I know about him

Just tell him you don't loan tools to anyone....
How does he know you have it.

Anyways...right after you tell him you don't loan tools, pull out your wallet and offer some money towards a tool RENTAL.
I've done that and it usually shames them into backing of the borrowing thing.

I have offered to buy replacements of stuff brought to me to be fixed/welded (most always for free).
Same deal, pull out my wallet and offer money instead of doing "repair", that usually shames them too.
If they are offended so-be-it.
If neither, the money seems to be glued in my wallet...
No loss of friendship there, just another moocher, but they always seem to come back for another try.
jmo,
.

 

[Kurt4440]

Ask for a $1500 deposit and show him what condition it needs to be returned in to receive the entire deposit back.

 

[ItsNemo]

My general rule of thumb is not to loan anything I'd be upset about if it never came back.

This does change with a couple people though, one of my good friends I would let him basically use my entire garage even if I wasn't around, we both have the same exact respect for the equipment and how to use it, we're interchangeable as people on pretty much any job (similar skills and approach to problems). Or my Dad, he's family obviously.

But ya, if I'm going to be angry if the tool never comes home, then it won't leave home.

 

[brownbagg]

,

 

[M635_Guy]

let me rephase "friend" he a nice guy that works in my building, thats about it, I have no idea where he lives or his family. except for the weekend stories in the morning, that about all I know about him

I will stretch things for real friends. I know a lot of people who would refer to me as a friend as I'd casually call a friend, but I have a few friends. For the general people, I'll offer to have them come to my house to use things with help. Or I might go to help them. For friends, I'll be pretty straight with them, especially if I'm not sure they'll be able to use it well. I'll do a lot for my friends. And if they really need/want something and I can help by letting them borrow it, I'll usually do it. I have seconds of a lot of tools that would be likely candidates for loan requests so I wince less if something happens, but ultimately I place high value my real friends - a lot more than I value tools.

I don't earn my living with my tools, so maybe that makes it easier, but I'm not cavalier about them either. But life's short. I generally try to help people I like and love as best I can.

In your case, the guy fits neither the like or love description. I'd say "Man, it's a PITA to move and these things get stolen. And you'd hate to replace it I promise. But you can come to my place to use it if you want." or something like that.

 

[oldmachinenut]

It's called a siding brake. No tool loans. I'll come over and help, but they never leave my sight.

This

 

[mike93lx]

its hanging on the wall now, like they say, not easy to man handle, I want to leave it on the wall till I need it.

Doesnt HD rent them, he a block from HD

Yep I rented one last week along with a boom lift

 

[nadogail]

I will gladly loan any tools that I received for free from Harbor Freight.

 

[oldmachinenut]

I have a Chevy K-30 dump truck, you would not believe the people that assume I will lend it to them to haul: gravel, firewood, scrap metal, building materials and landfill runs. One even wanted me to park it in his driveway till it was full then wanted me to go dump it and bring it back for additional loads. The kicker was he has 2 full size trucks but didn’t want to put the “****” in his trucks.

 

[ecotec]

I have no problem saying no. There is magic in the word no.

I do not lend tools, and I do not do your electrical work. First I tell you no… and if you keep trying to persuade me I tell you to go **** yourself.

Life is too short, and no good deed goes unpunished.