Tools and friends

[JTimmons]

I have had to borrow something in a pinch before. I have one rule though in the event that I have to borrow it. Send it back better than I got it. If it was dusty when I got it, I send it back clean.
Should it break on me, I take my butt down to the store and buy a new one before the owner knows it.

Depends on the person who to loan out to or not.

[fiasco]

I just made a whole bunch of woodworking tools to make my bathroom cabinets. Table saw, planer, jointer, CMS slider and stand, jigs, router bits ect. It all represents a considerable investment and though these are tools I clean them at the end of every day and return them to like new condition.

My sister-in-law and brother-in-law are building a house next summer and I know that this is going to come up.

I plan on being right in the middle of a project at that time...

[leehljp]

I will say for me - it depends.

I brought most of my tools to Japan with me, and also those that my father left me - to keep relatives from walking off with them. But I will say that there are some people that I would lend tools to in an instant. They take care of tools and lend me theirs. They usually get their tools back in better shape than when I borrowed them. And to those that I lend tools to, they do the same for me in cleaning my tools.

[ejs1097]

Tools like that I wouldn't let me borrow them if I was gone for 30 minutes let alone 1-2 weeks.

You're talking about $1,000.00 and up of your finest tuned most expensive shop tools that you use and depend upon the most.

Even if nothing gets broke he could play with the wrong knobs not knowing your tools and mess up your set ups, chip the blades, etc and cause you lots of fustration down the road and posibly ruin your next project.

I don't think I'd let anyone use those tools unless I was standing in the room.

[LarryG]

I'm in the "it would depend on who it is" camp. A coworker is a woodworker, and as meticulous about his stuff as I am about mine (maybe moreso); I'd loan him a tool without blinking. Pretty much anyone else ... not likely.

I'm the same way about books. (The aforementioned coworker is, coincidentally, one of the very few people to whom I'll loan a book.)

[jseklund]

I have had to borrow something in a pinch before. I have one rule though in the event that I have to borrow it. Send it back better than I got it. If it was dusty when I got it, I send it back clean.
Should it break on me, I take my butt down to the store and buy a new one before the owner knows it.

Depends on the person who to loan out to or not.
__________________

This is pretty much how I feel. I would love to have a rule that say, "NEVER lend out tools." but I just can't. I have had to borrow tools in the past, and I do hate to ask, but I always make sure I return them BETTER than I found them whenever possible. I also realize that I am responsible for the person's tool and don't think "Oh darn, it broke. Glad it's not mine!"

However, some requests just would not be reasonable. If someone wanted to borrow a jointer, table saw, etc- I'd probably make the suggestion that it would be easier for them to come to my "shop" than move the tools, and offer to help them. I think most people would appreciate the help, and realize that this is a better solution in this instance than to move everything. If they don't, then they aren't going to care much about your tools anyway- so just tell them no.

I think there is a fine line between "Never" and knowing when to say no when you have to. There are exceptions of course, but it is usually better to not lend when possible. It doesn't sound like this person is "in a pinch" either (like, I am doing a project and my table saw broke. I need to get it done, do you mind if I come over and make a couple of cuts?)

[Ed62]

I can't believe it took me that long to start another thread! Remember that coming to your house is not an option unless you want to give him the keys. You're not going to be there for a while. See "Now let me complicate things".

Ed

[michael.scheller]

Coon Dog

I have a good friend (nick-named Coon Dog) who is responsible for new tools in my shop. He came over while I was gone and borrowed, with LOML's permission, my Craftsmen Circ. He broke it. Immediately went to Sears and bought me an upgraded version and sent the broke one in for repair. Now he has his own and I have a better model. I ask him if he'd like to borrow more hand tools.

[scorrpio]

Yup, depends on who's asking. There are a few of those to whom I'd lend a tool without a second thought. However, if we talking heavy machinery... the less that stuff is moved, the better.

[Hellrazor]

Biggest thing to remember when loaning tools out... liability.


Only person I loan tools to is the guy who I frame and roof with. He is the only person who can use my tools while working on a job too.

[messmaker]

For most people the answer would be no, however one very good friend (he actually got me started in wood working) I would loan any tool in my shop and not worry at all about it.

Same here. (mine has a key to my shop. I often find new stuff that has been left there. His way of saying thanks)