scottsu150
Member
soon after I bought my first house and had almost no tools at all I borrowed the neighbors circular saw, after two cuts id died! I had to go to Sears and buy two, after that if I need it I buy it.
Why you don't let friends borrow tools
- Thread starter bagged89s10
- Start date
Fretters
Well-known member
If they're owt like our farmers, it's basically a case of you're paying and they aren't.
Farmers give frugal a whole new range of meaning. OCD
Well-known member
My tools don't leave the property unless they are with me, but my friends know they can come over and I will help with any project...
I do let people borrow tools, or even give them something if I happen to have too many.
Lending them is probably not the most sensible thing, though, unless the person is going to use it only right then and give it back. It can take a lot of trouble to get things returned. A post hole digger once took months. So did a jack.
No borrower has ever ruined anything of mine that I can recall.
I'm glad people rarely ask.
Lending them is probably not the most sensible thing, though, unless the person is going to use it only right then and give it back. It can take a lot of trouble to get things returned. A post hole digger once took months. So did a jack.
No borrower has ever ruined anything of mine that I can recall.
I'm glad people rarely ask.
damienga15de
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 9, 2014
- Messages
- 128
My mechanic's type tools are available to a few friends to borrow.
My electrical stuff never leaves my van for anyone or any reason, I put bread on the table and keep a roof over my family's heads with those so there most important thing to me.
My electrical stuff never leaves my van for anyone or any reason, I put bread on the table and keep a roof over my family's heads with those so there most important thing to me.
Mohawk Dave
Well-known member
SIDEBAR: I grew up on my buddies ranch. Keys were always left in vehicles.
I remember when I got the house I'm in now on some property, all the keys stay in the vehicles. Such a great thing not to search for keys. lol.
(We have a locked gate and big dogs....so, the vehicles are safe from thieves...)
Bronson
Well-known member
A few years ago, I bought a new engine hoist.
I don't do much auto work, just motorcycles.
I took the hoist to My best and oldest friend and told Him to keep it in His home shop and if I needed it, I would come and get it.
He was retired and did lots of Hot-rod projects in His home shop.
He died unexpectedly 3 months ago.
His son went in His shop and took EVERY tool there, including My engine hoist and another friend's compressor.
He won't return calls or answer His phone when I call.
He even screwed over His own sister to get "more stuff".
His Dad would be so embarrassed.
I am letting it drop, water under the bridge, I guess.
I don't do much auto work, just motorcycles.
I took the hoist to My best and oldest friend and told Him to keep it in His home shop and if I needed it, I would come and get it.
He was retired and did lots of Hot-rod projects in His home shop.
He died unexpectedly 3 months ago.
His son went in His shop and took EVERY tool there, including My engine hoist and another friend's compressor.
He won't return calls or answer His phone when I call.
He even screwed over His own sister to get "more stuff".
His Dad would be so embarrassed.
I am letting it drop, water under the bridge, I guess.
A few years ago, I bought a new engine hoist.
I don't do much auto work, just motorcycles.
I took the hoist to My best and oldest friend and told Him to keep it in His home shop and if I needed it, I would come and get it.
He was retired and did lots of Hot-rod projects in His home shop.
He died unexpectedly 3 months ago.
His son went in His shop and took EVERY tool there, including My engine hoist and another friend's compressor.
He won't return calls or answer His phone when I call.
He even screwed over His own sister to get "more stuff".
His Dad would be so embarrassed.
I am letting it drop, water under the bridge, I guess.
Man, that *****. Not in a good way.
A few years ago, I bought a new engine hoist.
I don't do much auto work, just motorcycles.
I took the hoist to My best and oldest friend and told Him to keep it in His home shop and if I needed it, I would come and get it.
He was retired and did lots of Hot-rod projects in His home shop.
He died unexpectedly 3 months ago.
His son went in His shop and took EVERY tool there, including My engine hoist and another friend's compressor.
He won't return calls or answer His phone when I call.
He even screwed over His own sister to get "more stuff".
His Dad would be so embarrassed.
I am letting it drop, water under the bridge, I guess.
Show up at the Creeps house. No reason to let it go.
Burgerkong
Well-known member
Resurrection, but when do you draw the line when a friend borrows the same tool several times a year? Tool in question is a jack and a set of jack stands.
aaronrkelly
Well-known member
If its a good friend....I buy them a jack and a set of stands. Me and my best friend buy each other stuff all the time.
Regular friends...keep letting them borrow.
My friends are welcome to borrow my stuff as many times as needed.
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LB-1911
ALLIANCE MEMBER
^^^
Are they being returned in a timely fashion?
Has it ever resulted in you finding a need for them and they weren't available?
Does he have the space to store them?
Have a Princess Auto Flyer laying around the next time he is over -
http://www.princessauto.com/en/search?Dy=1&Nty=1&Ntt=jack+stands
http://www.princessauto.com/en/search?Dy=1&Nty=1&Ntt=floor+jack
Are they being returned in a timely fashion?
Has it ever resulted in you finding a need for them and they weren't available?
Does he have the space to store them?
Have a Princess Auto Flyer laying around the next time he is over -
http://www.princessauto.com/en/search?Dy=1&Nty=1&Ntt=jack+stands
http://www.princessauto.com/en/search?Dy=1&Nty=1&Ntt=floor+jack
PMD1966
Well-known member
Well said.
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
I only have one buddy who twists wrenches (DIY) and he has more than I !
Nice gut that I am, I have always offered my yard tools to new people who move into the neighborhood.
KMdef9
Well-known member
To add what others have said, I happily loan out to anyone. Just depends on on how well I know them and what their skill set is.
If I don't know them (new neighbor or friend), or they lack the skills, I'll lend a hand. Otherwise, I don't mind people borrowing my tools.
Everyone knows with anything of mine, you break it, You bought it. Sometimes I need to remind them of the value. If they can't afford to replace it, they can't borrow it.
kiatech
Well-known member
I've lent my co worker a 13mm impact and its gone. He gets the invoice tommrow when I pick up the new one. But this is the same guy who buys. 4 sets of screwdrivers a year because he can't keep track of them.
BDT/NWMN
Well-known member
Loan & Tool are two four letter words that You should not mention.
Ever notice the look of frustration and anger when four letter words are spoken.
Damn, Darn, Goon, Turd are sir-names earned when You intrude on someone by requesting the return of said Tool.
Ever notice the look of frustration and anger when four letter words are spoken.
Damn, Darn, Goon, Turd are sir-names earned when You intrude on someone by requesting the return of said Tool.
Todd.Brock
Well-known member
My buddy lets me borrow his jack and stands, whenever b/c we aren't working on same projects at the same time. The damn jack weighs 90 lb, I have to lug it home in the truck, and got whacked in the head with the handle last time I used it. . It's time I buy my own jack....
Well yeah, that's common sense. You scratch my back, I scratch yours. It's all about respect.
engineer2
Well-known member
Funny story: A relative lent his wheelbarrow to a neighbor. Neighbor brings it back lined with dried concrete. Tells him "WTF, clean it out!" Neighbor takes it back and soon he hears pounding. The neighbor is beating the **** out of it with a sledge hammer. I don't know what ever happened. I think he got back a clean but dented up wheelbarrow. It confirmed the relative's suspicions that the neighbor was an idiot.
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fsae0607
Well-known member
My dad was the only one that I used to lend and borrow tools from. Now that he's passed, I'm the only handy one in my family. No one borrows from me!
It takes at least a tiny bit of common sense and practicality for a man to A. want to own a set of tools, B. budget money for their acquisition, C. buy a toolbox to organize them and protect them.
Some dudes just don't care enough to do all that. So they borrow tools from more organized pals. My BIL has like 4 rusty screwdrivers and an adjustable wrench made in India. Pathetic.
aka Larry
Well-known member
The problem I have is my wife loans out my tools! Granted none are the high dollar stuff, but none of them were free either.
She recently went to help a friend replace the sand in her pool filter because the pool company wanted too much money to do it. Keep in mind this woman lives at the country club, right on the golf course, and has a brand new Mercedes in the garage, but didn't want to pay the pool company to fix her filter.
My wife asked me to help, but I declined because the lady can afford to get it done, and she has two lazy sons that don't do ****, so why would I do it for free? After I declined, she wanted to borrow my tools including my shop vac to **** out all the old sand! This lady's husband has NO tools, not even a socket set, or screwdriver. WTF!? What grown-*** man has NO tools?
The end to the story was my tools stayed home. If you can afford to live on the golf course, you can afford your own damn tools because ya ain't using mine!
She recently went to help a friend replace the sand in her pool filter because the pool company wanted too much money to do it. Keep in mind this woman lives at the country club, right on the golf course, and has a brand new Mercedes in the garage, but didn't want to pay the pool company to fix her filter.
My wife asked me to help, but I declined because the lady can afford to get it done, and she has two lazy sons that don't do ****, so why would I do it for free? After I declined, she wanted to borrow my tools including my shop vac to **** out all the old sand! This lady's husband has NO tools, not even a socket set, or screwdriver. WTF!? What grown-*** man has NO tools?
The end to the story was my tools stayed home. If you can afford to live on the golf course, you can afford your own damn tools because ya ain't using mine!
BDT/NWMN
Well-known member
This is an interesting thread with tons of insight and shared experiences.
After reading the replies; would it be safe to assume:
Some people borrow things with no intent of returning them.
Some people assume no responsibility for things they bowwow.
Some people don't know how to properly operate or maintain it.
Some people re-loan stuff without a second thought.
Some people think it is your job to retrieve your stuff.
Some people ask to borrow things on behalf of someone else, with no intent of using it themselves.
Some people think the consumables are part of the free loan.
Some people think any breakdown with the stuff is your problem.
Some people think that returning it dirty or low on fuel is acceptable..
Some people think you are rude or inconsiderate to request it be returned..
If anyone can add to this list; odds are I have had an experience that would relate to their addition.
After reading the replies; would it be safe to assume:
Some people borrow things with no intent of returning them.
Some people assume no responsibility for things they bowwow.
Some people don't know how to properly operate or maintain it.
Some people re-loan stuff without a second thought.
Some people think it is your job to retrieve your stuff.
Some people ask to borrow things on behalf of someone else, with no intent of using it themselves.
Some people think the consumables are part of the free loan.
Some people think any breakdown with the stuff is your problem.
Some people think that returning it dirty or low on fuel is acceptable..
Some people think you are rude or inconsiderate to request it be returned..
If anyone can add to this list; odds are I have had an experience that would relate to their addition.
66354dream
Well-known member
My father in law and one of my 2 older brothers are the only 2 people that I would lend tools because I know they understand,everyone else is a " bring it here and we'll work on it here" thing- heck I don't even like taking tools with me to the JY, I take as little of the " loaner pile" as I can to get what I need.
I don't blame you. Let her lazy idiotic husband and sons deal with it. If they were even at least 1/5th the men they should be, they'd be dealing with it -- not their MOTHER/WIFE. She has bigger stones than they do. Bottom line: let them hire a pool guy for $75 or something to do it, so he can put some food on his family's table. Cheap people are disgusting. Except they weren't cheap when they wrote the $120k check to buy their precious new Mercedes.
WhiskeyRanger
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 28, 2015
- Messages
- 398
I like to loan out larger tools so I don't need to store them. I just got back my chainsaw after a friend had it for a year. That meant for a year it was taking up space in his garage, and I was unable to help out people who asked me to come cut stuff up for them. Hopefully he will ask to borrow it again soon.
I was driving through a mountain pass and a tree had fallen in a storm, so traffic was backed up. Luckily a couple of guys in a truck had a chainsaw with them and cut the tree up and threw the wood in the back of their truck.
Only in the mountains, do guys drive around with chainsaws.
dclassical
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 25, 2008
- Messages
- 1,130
Those who have no interest in doing things themselves, like one of my friend. He has the money and pays contractors to do all the work.
He could do it as he is very smart but also works 60+ hours a week, every week (some of it from home) and when he has time off he spends it either flying his plane or doing photography in parks.
I can see his point of view. He has a part time handyman (I believe 10 hours a week every week) who fixes everything that needs to be taken care of without waiting. He also hires good contractors (the kind that he left painting the inside of his $1M+ house while he left on vacation).
I am not sure I could be that hands off. Some of the things I don't enjoy doing and could pay someone, but I see it as "I saved $** and can now fly another hour or two lol".
And to be on topic, I do not have many friends, but I let them borrow my tools. Almost every time they call me to ask if I want them to bring the tools back when they are done (instead of waiting for our regular meetings). Always returned clean, packed correctly.
Ill admit (probably the 3rd o 4th post where I say it in this thread) that Im very stingy with tools as more than once I loaned things out not to get them back or they were brought back damaged.
It isnt just tools either, it can be anything. I loaned a friend atv tires because he wanted to try them. I brought them to his house, 6 months later and numerous meetings, phone calls and so forth he just didnt get off his duff and return them. I finally had to go get them myself. Wanna know whats cool-he isnt allowed to borrow anything anymore and he doesnt know it.
It isnt just tools either, it can be anything. I loaned a friend atv tires because he wanted to try them. I brought them to his house, 6 months later and numerous meetings, phone calls and so forth he just didnt get off his duff and return them. I finally had to go get them myself. Wanna know whats cool-he isnt allowed to borrow anything anymore and he doesnt know it.
Bruce Wayne
Well-known member
I had to start locking my box at home because my old man wouldn't even ask to borrow tools he'd just go out the door saying " I need a screwdriver " without even asking. He is the reason that I have 6 3/8 ratchets &about 8 feet in 3/8 extentions.
scooterGA
Well-known member
I am a NO LOAN operator. Learned that lesson a long time ago. I don't even loan to family anymore. Took me a month to get my jack I use at home back from the son in law and when I got ill about it he tried to make me feel like the ***. Told him no more, he asked a couple times since but got the message after some "hell no's" most people are just not careful and a lot just don't care. I have people come into shop here at work all the time and ask to borrow something and we say nicely as we can NO. When they ask why and I tell them my toolbox cost more than your car they usually get the message. Just say no, regardless, you may be the *** but you will keep your tools!
If you do me wrong once, you're done. At this point I generally know who I can and can't loan tools to.
I could loan anything to a particular cousin, my father in law, or a couple buddies who know what they're doing. They can use anything I have.
It depends on the tool and who is borrowing it.
I could loan anything to a particular cousin, my father in law, or a couple buddies who know what they're doing. They can use anything I have.
It depends on the tool and who is borrowing it.
va.grouseman
Well-known member
Relatives are the worst, for feeling entitled to your tools, then close friends, then coworkers.---I just don't lend anymore.---And I get along better with everyone that way.
Now days I always ask them, ''if I didn't live here, and I was never born, what would you do in your present situation''?---Then that's what you do now.
NO up front gets more respect than trying to be nice.
Now days I always ask them, ''if I didn't live here, and I was never born, what would you do in your present situation''?---Then that's what you do now.
NO up front gets more respect than trying to be nice.
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KMdef9
Well-known member
IME that isn't true at all. Teaching someone who's willing to learn gets you way more respect than being a ****.
mdbeck1
Well-known member
I fall in several of these camps.
1. There are a few people that have pretty much free access to all of my tools, trailers, vehicles, .... they are known to take care of stuff and usually bring it back in better shape than it went out.
2. Those that are working up to level 1.... People that have used some of my stuff with me around and seem to take care of it and return it.
3. Those that I'm not sure of... the single mom with a couple of kids that needs a screwdriver, the guy that needs a crescent, ... I have a small top box full of "extras" that they are free to use. ...most of them came as "free from HF" or are tools I've upgraded from but they are functional and if they don't come back.... ...if they do they will move up to stage 2.
4. Those that I'm pretty sure aren't going to return stuff or will break/damage it. Normally they don't get to use it unless I am present. ...and sometimes they don't even touch my stuff.
1. There are a few people that have pretty much free access to all of my tools, trailers, vehicles, .... they are known to take care of stuff and usually bring it back in better shape than it went out.
2. Those that are working up to level 1.... People that have used some of my stuff with me around and seem to take care of it and return it.
3. Those that I'm not sure of... the single mom with a couple of kids that needs a screwdriver, the guy that needs a crescent, ... I have a small top box full of "extras" that they are free to use. ...most of them came as "free from HF" or are tools I've upgraded from but they are functional and if they don't come back.... ...if they do they will move up to stage 2.
4. Those that I'm pretty sure aren't going to return stuff or will break/damage it. Normally they don't get to use it unless I am present. ...and sometimes they don't even touch my stuff.
Weird Tolkienish Figure
Well-known member
I used to have this mentality (borrowing tools). A few years ago I heard someone on the internet say "better to have it and not need it then to need it and not have it". That summed up the DIY mentality for me, changed my life, turned me into a tool junkie, and I'm on the way to doing most things totally by myself. Dunno who that guy was, lol.