Lending Tools

I lent my neighbour my laser level, and when he returned it he casually - almost jokingly - said: "By the way, you'll need a bit of glue to fix the clamp on the receiver. We busted it." Needless to say glue won't adequately fix a plastic clamp, so I have to order a new one. :~

Now I can handle the fact that it broke, as delicate tools in rough hands will, and I don't mind lending tools, but the casual "I broke it, you fix it" attitude is beyond my comprehension. If ever I borrow anything and it breaks, there's no way I'd take it back without having it repaired.

For some strange reason some people feel that you owe them something, and if they break something of yours, then it's just a partial payment of the debt, or something like that. Does anyone else come across this phenomenom?

I don't lend my tools.

I am careful to whom I lend my tools. There are some people I'd lend anything, knowing if it did break, it was a genuine accident and not from abuse, and that it would be repaired or replaced most probably to a highere standard than when it left me.

Unfortunately I get caught occasionally, once per person seems to cure me.

There's a saying: "Never lend out your woman or your tools as you'll get them back f****d" :o

But my approach is similar to outback's, and yeah, once bitten, twice shy. If by chance someone returns something broken I politely tell them that I'll be having it repaired and sending them the bill.

Mick

Yeah well I have, as you probably know, lent most my tools to the old man.

SWMBO says I should not do such things because they go unappreciated, and when we ask for help it is seldom given. She has a point but I am a sucker.

Pete

:iagree: I'm like the above responses. I will only lend tools to people who I know very well, and people who I know will use the tool correctly and respect the tool! Nobody else need apply....

These same people have no issue lending me something of their's. I would never return an item that I broke to someone, I would never think about it!!!!! Unfortunately some people just don't give a sh*t. :~

Cheers,
Nathan.

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Originally Posted by craigb

I don't lend my tools.

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can i borrow a hammer ?

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Originally Posted by Gumby

can i borrow a hammer ?

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No! :D

I remember that I once borrowed some gear pullers from the same bloke and stripped a thread. I immediately told him that I'd replace them, and that the replacement ones would be good quality (unlike his, hence the stripped thread). I went to Repco rather than Super Cheap, and bought some damned good ones for him (still hurting :( ).

This, to me, is what you should do. I think it's OK to lend tools as long as the people you lend them to understand that they have to repair or replace them if they break them.

The big question here is: what is it in their stupid heads that prevents them from understanding what to most of us is common sense?

I use the same philosophy my dad used. Only lend to those you trust or have seen their tools. If it is broken they replace it - not pay for it - replace it. Tell them about "the rules" before it goes in their hand.

Never borrow a tool from someone that you wouldn't lend a tool to. If he borrowed something it always went back in the same condition or better eg. sharper, cleaner or a minor repair done. If a tool is broken you replace it, no questions. If you are not willing to do that then buy or hire one.

I lent a chainsaw to Kiwibrucee the other day and was very pleased to see it come back clean and sharpened, he has the same philosophy.

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Originally Posted by Rossluck

The big question here is: what is it in their stupid heads that prevents them from understanding what to most of us is common sense?

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They don't appreciate the tools the way you do, and they don't value your friendship, that's how I read it.

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Originally Posted by Groggy

I use the same philosophy my dad used. Only lend to those you trust or have seen their tools. If it is broken they replace it - not pay for it - replace it. Tell them about "the rules" before it goes in their hand.

Never borrow a tool from someone that you wouldn't lend a tool to. If he borrowed something it always went back in the same condition or better eg. sharper, cleaner or a minor repair done. If a tool is broken you replace it, no questions. If you are not willing to do that then buy or hire one.

I lent a chainsaw to Kiwibrucee the other day and was very pleased to see it come back clean and sharpened, he has the same philosophy.

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can I borrow a hammer ?

I have learnt the hard way not to lend tools. I remember I lent my chainsaw to someone once, he used it to cut the roots off a tree he was trying to pull out of the ground, but he didn't even dig around them :~ . Just cut through the roots, dirt and all :o :doh: .


Nowadays I offer to do the job for them, using my tools.

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Originally Posted by Gumby

can I borrow a hammer ?

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Sure, come and get it!

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Originally Posted by Rossluck

The big question here is: what is it in their stupid heads that prevents them from understanding what to most of us is common sense?

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I find it's "the mate has the tool that I need, I'm too stingy to go and buy it, or I only need it for the one job so it's not worth buying one and if I did buy one, why the heck should I pay $$$ for a good one for one job. Besides, the mate has the tool, and the money, he can afford to replace it if I stuff it - ultimately, he doesn't give a damm, doesn't respect you and is out for what he can get for free"

Generally speaking of course.


I won't loan my tools to my own Mum,:no: let alone anyone else. And HWMNBO knows he'll be in deep $%&# if he doesn't give my tools back, let alone break them. It's a very rare occasion I ever borrow any tools.

Cheers
Wendy