Loaning of tools.....

[Cranky]

What do you do to insure your tools come back? I'm just about to the point where I'm not going to loan anything out because the stuff doesn't come back. I can write down what and to who the tool went to but what good is that unless I get a deposit....hey wait, I didn't think about that lol. Deposit for the cost of the tool and well, if it doesn't come back, at least I can buy a new one....besides, what red blooded American hot rodder doesn't buy there own basic tools if they are going to work on cars!!

 

[Crunchy_Frog]

I'm an asshole. I don't loan out tools. If there is something I don't have that I need, I will either buy it or get a "loaner" from the AZ or O'R.

 

[jaakhus]

Look on the bright side... if you never see the guy again it was probably worth it.

Unfortunately you probably will see him again... when he needs something else.

 

[roadrunnerman]

usually it's my son that needs to borrow my tools to work on his foreign made cars,but if he needs to use my tools then he does it at my garage.That way the tools stay when he's done.And then it is when i or my wife is home.it's not that i don't trust him but he will bring friends over with and i don't trust them.

 

[Al K]

Lesson learned years ago-NO TOOLS LOANED! And I don't borrow tools if I can help it.

Recently got a nice collapsible engine hoist. The girlfriend's 18 year old son was over(he's a Chevy kid,but he's a gearhead in the making. I don't push the Mopar thing on him,but encourage working on his own stuff) and saw it and got all glazed-eyed. I looked right at him and in a firm voice just said "NO". He got the message,real quick-it ain't leaving the garage.

 

[68 Roadrunner]

I learned NOT to loan tools Cranky is right they never come back, strain friendships because of that. My 2 cents

 

[daredevil]

Make whoever borrows your tools leave a deposit. That way they wont forget to return them. Some tools are irreplaceable and they would be better off asking to borrow my wife. Better chance of me saying yes.

 

[THE STIG]

I learned that lesson the hard way. When I was young and dumb I had a small Craftsman set in a box that I loaned to a co worker. When I got them back the box was broken in two pieces and all the sockets and wrenches were in a giant pile with several misc. pieces I didn't recognize. When he dropped them off I was'nt home so he left them with my mom and he actually told her that if I found anything that was not mine I could call him and he'd come get it.

 

[Redpolara]

Interesting how people borrow tools, then bring them back in various stages of dismemberment....and say nothing:black_eye:
It's even more insulting when you go to use the tool in question sometime down the track and in the process......discover it's untimely demise.

Never loan out a spray gun and take the persons word that they cleaned it out thoroughly.......They Didn't.

 

[Propwash]

I only lend out to a certain few the understand how much it cost's to replace a Snap On Torque wrench or an Ingersoll Impact gun and I know i'll get them back in the same condition if not better...Other than that, I don't borrow out to anyone else. No "if, and or buts" about it.

I don't own "cheap tools" and like 68 roadrunner said, it isn't worth straining a friendship over trying to replace or get them back.

 

[Cranky]

Good friends won't forget they have a borrowed tool and takes good care of the borrowed item...and I'll admit that I've borrowed tools in the past but I treat them better than my own and don't forget that I have it. Years ago I loaned a floor jack to a buddy and when he brought it back, it wouldn't sit on all 4 wheels, was leaking and had scrape marks all over it like it had been tossed out on the highway from the back of a pickup. Well, after questioning him some more after he tried to act dumb he finally admitted it came out of the back of his truck after he nailed it to get around someone that was 'in his way'. Dang morons....this guy even makes more than I do per year...and doesn't know how to close a tailgate.

 

[Small Block]

I'm a tool freak. I like having the right tool for the right job. When i start a project and i run up against a task that needs a particuliar tool and i dont have it, i go buy it. The last one i bought was about 3 weeks ago. Beleive me, i tried to borrow it first but they were both loaded with cars so i told him to price it. He did and i bought it. A rotisserie and i love it. Its bad enough even though my tools dont leave the shop but when you look in the drawers they are most likely filthy and out of place to the max. Sometimes i feel like the tool boy, cleaning and putting stuff where it belongs. I dont let my tools leave my shop unless it's just out back to pull a part from a car. I'm even particuliar who comes into my shop and looks around. Alarms and and video cameras are a good thing.
Small Block

 

[Donny]

I don't loan crap out, if they need to borrow it, they should buy it, this is what I do.

 

[scotts74birds]

Donny, if you are like me, you return something better than you found it! Guess I'm lucky, my group of friends is small, but trustworthy. Mostly ex-mil, and bikers. A bro borrowed a 1/2" drive ratchet set and broke the ratchet. It was Craftsman, so no big deal. He insisted that he would run the 20 miles to get it replaced. He bought me a 1/2" breaker bar too so that MY knuckles wouldnt get bloodied the next time a ratchet fails!

 

[Domino]

Saw this thread on Monday and sent a text to my buddy. Just got 2 of my jack stands back this evening. :grin: Thanks for the reminder guys!

 

[iraqivet01]

I lent out an air nailer to a guy I thought was a friend. Needless to say, I forgot about it til I needed it one day and remembered I lent it to him (6 months before) When I asked him about it, he swore he bought his own.

Almost took it out in dental work he was going to need, but I reframed.

Tools are tool expensive and I simply didn't remember thinking when I bought it, "Hey I bet my neighbor could use this".

 

[1badstroker]

Easy way out, I will exchange what ever tool you need to borrow. You just leave your wife, girlfriend and when you are done with the tools I will be done with them. No one will ask to borrow your tools ever.

 

[iraqivet01]

Easy way out, I will exchange what ever tool you need to borrow. You just leave your wife, girlfriend and when you are done with the tools I will be done with them. No one will ask to borrow your tools ever.

I would have taken you up on that one. After 60 minutes and non stop bitching, You would have thrown in the whole Mac roll away for me to take her back.

 

[Redpolara]

I lent out an air nailer to a guy I thought was a friend. Needless to say, I forgot about it til I needed it one day and remembered I lent it to him (6 months before) When I asked him about it, he swore he bought his own.

Almost took it out in dental work he was going to need, but I reframed.

Tools are tool expensive and I simply didn't remember thinking when I bought it, "Hey I bet my neighbor could use this".

This senario has a definate Homer Simpson Vs Ned Flanders ring about it.

 

[Aussie Coronet]

Get one of those micro engravers, like a Dremel and write your name on everything or do as my old man did, he painted one half of each tool a certain colour, e.g. one end of every spanner was yellow, the tin snips blue, pliers were red etc, that way when you ask old mate where your hammer is and he says 'I don't have your hammer?' you can say sure you do, it's the one with the green paint on the handle. If that doesn't get him thinking then drop around unexpected and 'notice' it sitting there on his bench, then punch him in the face, kick his dog, set fire to his cat and drive over his letter box.

He won't bother you for tools again.