I will consider a loan for most of my tools (loan without me being there). There have been very few situations where I came up short on the deal. There are a few tools that I would want some assurance that they know how to use it safely, such as the chainsaw or welder. There are few tools that I have which would represent considerable sentimental value if they were not returned. I learn something about each person who borrows from me.
If you lend be a $100, I'll tell you all about myself. For $500, you'd get written stores too.
Depending on who it is, I will loan my tools to a select few friends and neighbors. More often, I do the work for them. However, I may be in a bit of a unique position. I do a lot of work in my garage and in the driveway. So, to keep my neighbors happy and off my back, I do anything they want (within reason of course). It has paid off rather well.
Sat, Aug 26, 2006, 7:21pm snipped-for-privacy@none.com (Greg=A0D.) doth lament: Hi, I was wondering how you guys deal with "tool less" neighbors asking to borrow your powertools.
The ld farmer's neighbor asked to borow his rope. The old farme told him he was using it to tie up his milk. The neighbor thought that over a minute or two, then said that was just plain silly. The old farmer came back with, "Any excuse will do if you don't wsnt to lend something".
JOAT Justice was invented by the innocent. Mercy and lawyers were invented by the guilty.
Sat, Aug 26, 2006, 7:21pm snipped-for-privacy@none.com (Greg=A0D.) doth lament: Hi, I was wondering how you guys deal with "tool less" neighbors asking to borrow your powertools.
The ld farmer's neighbor asked to borow his rope. The old farme told him he was using it to tie up his milk. The neighbor thought that over a minute or two, then said that was just plain silly. The old farmer came back with, "Any excuse will do if you don't wsnt to lend something".
JOAT Justice was invented by the innocent. Mercy and lawyers were invented by the guilty.
I just say "Sorry, I don't lend tools." Most of them just ask once. You can suggest a place to rent them. One neighbor did ask if he could borrow my extension ladder to change a light bulb, I said "Sorry I don't lend tools," then I went over and changed the bulb for him. I wasn't about to loan my $350 ladder out and possibly come back damaged.
When I moved into this house, one of my neighbours commented on the tools that were being offloaded and put in the garage.
The conversation went something like: "That's a lot of tools you've got there" "yes, I like to build my own furniture sometimes" "Oh, you know some of the cheaper pieces are quite nice now"
followed by an awkward silence .... they seemed to think I did woodworking to save money :-)))))
Since then, the topic has never come up again, suits me.
Pete
Idon't know. I loaned her my favorite tool last night.
Glen
I lend some, but not all things to a very select few friends. There is a longer list of people who can use my garage and about 80% of what's in it whether I'm there or not - though that is not a huge list, just longer than list A.
I find it more than a little odd that you consider him rude to have asked. I think that says more about you than about your neighbor for asking.
A fine personal perspective, but that's your choice on how to deal with the need.
A good start on a list of weak and contrived reasons to back up your position.
A long reach, but credit is given for at least keeping up the momentum of weak and contrived reasons.
You are developing quite a roll.
The only reason in your list that makes any sense to me. I consider you to be somewhat selfish, *but* at least with this reason you come clean and simply state that you don't like to loan your valuable tools. Then fine - don't. But don't loan them simply on the basis that you don't want to loan your valuable tools. Making up silly sounding contrived reasons does not convince anyone else any more than those reasons probably convinced you.
I would ask you though - have you ever borrowed a tool? Maybe before you amassed all of your high end valuable collections?
No Greg, it has not always worked out for me. Sometimes a tool gets broken. Sometimes it gets repaired or replaced, and sometimes it does not. Sometimes that hurts a bit. But I believe in giving back. I'm fortunate to have what I do and I try to extend that to others. I do take precautions and I do try to be smart about others using my stuff, but I don't hoard what I have.
Well said. To repeat, I'm glad I don't live in that neighborhood. [g]
I found this neighbor rude because he bought his house last year so I barely know him - I don't even know his name. He's doing a lot of renovation in his house so he seems to have enough money for that.
Not only that, he asked me about one month ago to split my TV cable and pirate the signal for him. Looks more to me like a bottom feeder who will do everything in his power to get a free lunch and a free ride at the same time. I'm sorry, but I'm not like that. Just there, there's an ocean of diffences between us.
I just feel it's too much too ask. For the same reasons I've stated, and even though I'm careful with tools, I feel it's just too much work to demonstrate to a neighbor I can use his tool carefully. I prefer to shell out 20$ and get a rental for one day. If I have enough money to afford a house, I must have enough to rent a tool.
Based on the feedback I had already on this topic, I think many more people think like me.
If you define selfish as being a person who don't want to lend any objects he owns. Yes, I'm certainly selfish when comes to powertools. But the problem is I don't mind lending other stuff. So can one be selfish and not at the same time? The reasons I have stated are genuine and not made up. I don't want to deal with that. Period.
Yes, I did borrow tools at some point in time. I've been extra careful with them and must admit, they belong to my father. So the trust relationship took a few years to build up and I've been up to.
There's also another aspect to this question. Where do you draw the line between being a good and resourceful neighbor to others or become a free tool rental store for all? When a neighbor talks to you only when he needs something from you (because he knows you have a great collection of tools), I don't know but I feel a little bit exploited. I'd rather see him interested in buidling up a good relationship with me before looking after my tools.
A relationship must be build up by showing care and interest for the others. When you get nothing of that and just a rude "request" to lend one of your tool, I'm sorry but he doesn't qualify yet to get one...
Greg D.
| I was wondering how you guys deal with "tool less" neighbors asking | to borrow your powertools.
I generally smile and say yes. If it's a tool they haven't used before, we do a short tutorial on some scrap. I ask that the tools come back clean and within a week - and they usually do.
The strange consequence is that people will stop by my shop to give me tools (a radial arm saw, a box of pneumatic tools, etc) - and it's not always one of the people who've borrowed tools.
-- Morris Dovey DeSoto Solar DeSoto, Iowa USA
Wow, that's come up in my own conversations with people - it's cheaper to buy. Maybe. But that's not why *I* woodwork, and obviously not you either.
"Greg D."
A qualified yes ... to anyone who I know is capable and knowledgeable enough to use and treat them as I do.
Although I would rarely ask to borrow a tool, if I did, it would be returned to you in better shape than it was when I borrowed it.
Thanks, Dad! ... for that lesson, taught at an early age.
That said, on a job site I will go out to the truck and get my own rather than presume to pickup even something like a tape measure belonging to a man who makes his living using it.
YMMV!
I certainly would not loan out my tools indiscriminately.
However, I am lucky to live in a stable neighborhood with "neighborly" neighbors who help each other. We have liverd here 24 years and are nto the most senior residents. Many of of nearby neighbors have lived here 5 to 10 years.
We help each other in many ways. If one of us has a big project, it is common for others to just drop in to lend a hand. Often, when we lend tools, it is with two helping hands attached.
Over the years, many of us have developed specialty interests with collections of tools to match. Besides the specialty tool that you use once, we can also "borrow" the expertise that goes with it. One of my neighbors is a master gardener. Another works installing custom exterior trim for commercial buildings. I have a well equipped power tool workshop, as well as being a computer jock by day.
It is all a matter of trust. Over time, you learn who can be trusted to return a tool in good condition and has the ability to use it properly, versus the jerk who will either return a broken tool or forget to return it at all.
"Steve B" wrote in news:g%6Ig.3002$rT5.2942@fed1read01:
Think I could borrow that act some time? ;-)
Puckdropper
"Teamcasa" wrote in news:1156644875 snipped-for-privacy@sp6iad.superfeed.net:
*trim*Good policy for renting, too.
Puckdropper
Absolutely.
That's why I keep the Craftsman power tools I mistakenly bought around. They usually only ask once.
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