Borrowing Tools -ETCG1

[@jkoneman]

This is something that all young men and women should be taught before they leave home. If you borrow something you return it promptly and clean. If you borrow something and break it, you buy another one exactly the same or better. If you borrow something with fuel or a battery you return it full or completely charged.

[@ZERO_42069]

i wish everyone would think like you, few years back i bought a new sthil chainsaw and maybe a week of having it my uncle wanted to borrow it and he returned it fucked up, long story short hes not allowed near my house lol

[@stevea5985]

You think realy well parents in today's society are more friends to there kids then real parents .

[@percymiller4570]

You are correct. Sad thing is that the parents today do not teach respect and responsibility.

[@Yonny316]

Percy Miller more importantly they don't teach accountability.....

[@niteninja0133]

Thats dumb i can see gas but its a battery tool they borrowed it because they dont have it so then they dont have the charger for it

[@tennif1]

When I started working in a shop, I needed to borrow a tool. I went to the old head of the shop and asked him, he said yes, only one thing, if you borrow the tool 3 times, I expect to see you on the tool truck buying that tool the next time it is here. That is exactly what I have done, and what I require from people who borrow from me, now 20 years later.

[@murraystewartj]

One of the best indicators of a borrower's trustworthiness is how they treat any company tools. Once worked maintenance in a tool/equipment rental shop and had company-supplied basic tools. One of the hardest thing to get through the newbies' heads was that they had to put things back in their place immediately after use. Those who left wrenches, sockets and so on lying all over the yard never lasted. Our heavy duty mechanic had his own tools, and would leave his chest unlocked for just two of us on his weekends. They were always returned and we were threatened with dismemberment if we let the youngsters near it. The only tools I brought from home were a heavy-duty breaker bar with large sockets - just to allow me to do one particular job more easily. Had them spray painted a different colour than the company's tools for ID. Couldn't find them one day and hunted all over for them. Turned out one of the front counter staff had come into our area and rented them out. There was some language exchanged in that incident.

[@DennisFriedman]

Hi all about 30 years ago, I was working as a big truck mechanic, in a garage with about 6 or 8 other guys, we were working 3 shifts, I was not as good as I should have been about putting my tools away, one time I started noticing some of my tools missing, after a while, the other guys finnly told me, they had taken the tools and put them in a box, and said nothing, after a couple weeks they gave back the box of tools, and thought it was perty funny, I thought too my self this a two way street, so I started doing the same thing, taking there tools that where laying around and put them in the same box on a bench, after a couple weeks, they started noticing there tools where missing, finnly I gave them back there tools, nut now they did not think it was so funny. Thank you Dennis

[@corbingreiner9879]

My oldest friend(90 this year),mentor and old school tough guy turned me into a car guy at the early age of thirteen. He restored cars form the ground up. I was put on a graduating scale of tool borrowing. I cleaned and returned every tool to is proper place the same day borrowed. I was eighteen before I was allowed in the Snap-on tool boxes(and i worked for him three summers in a row). The basic rule was the tool never got out of line of sight of the tool box(never leaving the shop). Today I only lend tools I can afford to loose(so no Snap-on for you).lol

[@JohnzCarz]

Great topic! I learned the lesson a long time ago. Borrowed tools either never came back, came back broken or were abused to the point I didn’t even want them back (like finding the person that borrowed your torque wrench using it as a breaker bar, or your new screwdriver being used as a drift, etc, etc). After buying some of the same tools 3 times over I just stopped lending, it’s way cheaper that way. I’m more than glad to do it for you, but lending is out. No one is going to care for your tools as well as you...simply because it’s your $ and not theirs.

[@paulkile9998]

I don't lend tools anymore, because of a karmic event that occurred 35 years ago. I used to work on lots of British cars, so I invested in a lovely set of 6 Proto British Standard combination wrenches. The guy in the other half of my duplex was a shadetree wrench also, but he was a Ford guy. He did have a need to work on a friend's Triumph Bonneville, so he asked to borrow the wrenches. About a week later I got them back...well 5 out of 6 came back. When I challenged him he swore up and down I had lent him 5 wrenches. I even showed him the 6 hooks on the wall where they hung, but the cretin never fessed up. Fast forward about 5 years and I saw an ad in a magazine for a little company selling British Standard tools and fasteners. It was one of those "send us $1 for our catalog" deals, which I did. I open the catalog and see a special offer...we bought a closeout of these discontinued Proto wrenches for a special price...only a few left. And they only had one size...and it was my missing wrench! I fired off the money and got the wrench, it was a perfect match to my set, even the same matte Proto finish. My only regret was I had lost contact with the cretin that stole the first one, so I couldn't get him to pay me and complete the full karmic circle.

[@WeneDog0628]

I only ever borrowed tools from my dad, he was a big rig and trash truck mechanic when he was younger, he had $1000s worth of tools, some I had no idea what they did since they were used for diesel vehicles. If I ever used a tool from anybody else they were helping me on the job or it was at their place(garage house etc). If I can get my hands on my dad's old tool chest, I will be set for all the DIY I'd ever need to do and even wind up giving tools to my cousin who works in the field as payment for helping/teaching me about little quirks of my car, he owned the of the same model and taught himself to work on cars with them so he knows a great deal. As you said, tools are an extension of self, and in my case, my dad. His tools give me the sense that we're connected, and I personally wouldn't let anybody borrow the tools he gave me unless I was right there helping them, if it's the harbor freight tools I bought for nothing yea, but if it disappears they're buying replacements of equal or greater quality. I like being self-reliant, most DIYers do, so I see now shame in buying a tool right when I need it and tend to look into the work I'll be doing beforehand to assess what tools I'd need and some that could potentially pop up. Preparation is key and if something happens you didn't prepare for, and you have to borrow something, treat it like gold, pure gold. Lol.

[@fuohio1]

I'm not a professional mechanic but have been a gearhead all my life and have put together a nice collection of tools over the years (nothing too high end like snap on). I think that because it's not my profession and I'm not forced to rely on my tools to pay my bills, I'm more relaxed about it than if wrenching was my livelihood. As I get older though and appreciate the hard work I've put in to buy said tools, my list of people who can borrow them is dwindling.

[@bobshepler]

I borrowed an axe from my neighbor to split some wood. Frankly, I treat my tools better than he does his and his axe was very dull. I put a nice honed edge on it before I returned it the following day.

[@sjs2657g]

Eric, I had the same guy borrowing my stuff and taking them home too [and always not having it when needing it the next day]. Out of 4 mechanics, whenever anyone was missing a tool, we KNEW in whose tool box to look for it. Also dealer tools wound up in HIS box also. Invested in a stamp set to stamp ALL my tools to end his shenanigans. We [3 of us] had a system. Each one of us took turns getting specific specialty tools that we used only monthly. We borrowed them monthly, but did not waste all of our money buying stuff that we didn't use regularly. More tools, easier working, faster working, more money. Cooperation does wonders.

[@percymiller4570]

I am with you 100% on this. You hit the nail on the head. I have experience with several of the borrowers you spoke of.

[@toyotatechMDT]

After three times, you must buy your own. I also charge a coffee for each 'rental'!

[@anthonykreiser]

This is all you need to know.

[@nunyabizz3109]

Toyota tech,you are a wise man : )

[@smallenginedude71]

fair enough!

[@Peter-V_00]

My limit used to be borrow a second time is time to buy your own especially when the SOB "borrowing" make the same or more money than you do!

[@YoungChristopher1]

Our shop motto is borrow, you bring it back cleaned and put it where you got it. If you lose it, you replace it. I've replaced several tools with better grade tools. Either because of how long it took me to find it or that I couldnt get that model back.

[@12mamyr]

I work as an electrician and in the beginning I always lended out my tools. When I didn't see my tools ever again, I started naming them and did not lend out any tools again. What I say is "sorry, I if I lose it, I cant afford purchase a new one". People always respect that.

[@donyboy73]

I think what you think on this

[@nealmont]

One other thing. If somebody borrows my engine crane, they must keep it until the next time I need it :-)

[@me3333]

I used to feel this way also until I loaned one of mine to a neighbor who shortly afterward died. It was very awkward asking the family later for it back.

[@rustynail9793]

Hi, I am sorry for your loss BUT, do you remember that tool I let him borrow.... Yeah, I need it back *chuckles* he doesnt need it where he is going... Yeah, very awkward convo right there

[@thevoxdeus]

I have pretty simple rules for borrowing or lending. If I borrow it more than once, I will buy my own ASAP. If I lend it to you more than once, you have until next pay day to get your own, or you're cut off (unless it's a very expensive tool and you're just starting out, then I may show some tolerance) If I borrow, I clean it and return it ASAP without being asked, and I will find you and tell you where I put it (on your box, back in the drawer, etc). At the very least I expect my tools returned to me at lunch or the end of the day, not in filthy condition or broken/beat up. If you lose it or break it, you buy me a new one. And never, EVER, borrow a tool without asking. If you cant find me to ask, then as far as you are concerned, my tools don't exist and you can't use them. If I ever have to go hunting for a tool that I didn't lend you, then we're going to have a heated discussion, and the second time it happens I'm going to HR, because it's time for you to move on. That might seem extreme but my tools are my livelyhood and if you're a tech, you should already understand that. Borrowing without asking is stealing.

[@billrussell7672]

+thevoxdeus total shop "Richard" pity those that work with you master mechanic since 77 navy trained diesel and gasturbines

[@thevoxdeus]

Bill Russell On the contrary, Bill. The people I work with appreciate the fact that if they need a tool that I have, they don't have to dig through my box or wait 20 minutes while I fruitlessly search only to say "I don't know where it is" or "I must have lent it to some one else." If you need a 3/8 drive 15mm 12 point deep well socket or a wide band filter wrench or a Power Probe attachment, I know exactly where it is and you'll have it in your hands 20 seconds after you asked. They also appreciate the fact that they don't ever have to worry about me dipping a hand in their tool box when they're not around. I've seen mechanics lose or misplace a tool and then wonder whether some other mechanic took it and didn't return it. They don't ever have to wonder that about me, because they can see that I don't go into their (or any one else's tool box) without asking and receiving permission, and I bring their tools back quickly without needing to be reminded.

[@joshdenham8404]

No apologies dude. After a decade or so, you can amass a collection worth in excess of 100k dollars. Those tools are an extension of yourself and if you buy quality, can be passed down to your grandkids. Nobody touches mine either unless im literally supervising the operation

[@switchest26]

well said mate..I do the same...borrow more than once..I buy it myself!

[@steve5912]

@@thevoxdeus You seem like a great person to be around.

[@stevemclean5787]

I was always taught to return ANYTHING you borrow in better condition than when you borrowed it. I've been known to change the oil and spark plug in various power tools I've borrowed or completely detail a vehicle I may have borrowed. But this particular video is about tools we use for working on cars primarily. That doesn't happen very often as I have a pretty good selection. However, there are times when I do borrow a specific tool and when I do, I make sure that tool is cleaned as thoroughly as possible and returned as quickly as possible. It's just the right thing to do.

[@dom07968]

Follow your line of thinking on lending. Thankfully not had many requests to borrow any of my tools. My grand father's tools are off limits! Sentimental value is priceless.

[@heavymechanic2]

A lawnmower shop was interested in getting my tool set in his shop. I think the job was BS myself, seasonal at best. Its not just the technicians who want to use your tools, but the shop will take advantage of the same privilege and pocket the money for work completed with your personal shop equipment.. Any real professional will have the tool needed and on occasion will get your tool back asap, no questions asked.

[@petrmiskerik]

I am with you Eric. It depends who ask me for my tools. In last weeks i lacked my small pliers and yesterday i found on my wife's "tool" box :D. She borrow these for bending some wires by making earring. man never knows :D. thank for a next great video. I sending from Czech rep. greetings for all of you Eric viewers. Especially for Eric.

[@jamesshoop7787]

I'm not a mechanic but an electrician so I know the value of good tools. Tools are our livelihood. They are how we make our living and if you wan't to make a living this way you should buy your own. That being said everyone needs to borrow a something at some point in their life and I always try to follow this one simple rule: "Return it in a timely manner and in better condition then you received it." This may simply be wiping it down or adding gas to the tank. I once borrowed a walk behind trencher from a friend of mine. I noticed that the throttle handle was loose and missing a hold down bolt. I took the time to replace both bolts with lock washers and returned it full of gas.

[@Oldbmwr100rs]

I've worked for years in motorcycle repair,and there's plenty of times You need some tool someone else has, especially if it's something made for a shortcut. In the shops I've worked at we've all borrowed from each other,as well as helped and advised each other. Now in the car repair business though, I've run into a few people who think stealing tools is pretty normal, or just working out of Your box is fine, even without asking! I've rarely worked in a place where I needed to lock My toolbox, except in a couple car shops, one was actually a big GM dealer,too. But yeah, treat tools You borrow better than Your own,and if something happens, make it right.

[@Steve_Logic]

Eric, I'm glad you posted this video because its one of my favorite topics, namely because I found lending and borrowing tools something I do all the time and have found to be very beneficial in building relationships with other techs particularly when starting at a different shop. I'll give you a personal story and method I have that seems to work well for everyone involved. So for many years I worked at a performance shop and acquired a vast lot of specialty tools to preform jobs that some techs seldom or never see. But at the same time, I don't own everything- there's gaps in my collection that I just never had a reason to fill. Anyway, when I started working at a chain shop I found guys to be somewhat reluctant to lend at first. Well as it goes I would watch them doing a job and struggle with something or using a tool that wasn't quite designed for their purpose and take longer to achieve what the job called for. Without saying anything I'd walk over and hand them the very tool intended for the job or the tool better suited. I'd stand there and watch and afterward they'd be grateful for that and exclaim on how "didn't know (Snap-on, Mac, Matco, Lisle, OTC...ect) made something for this!" I found this method of letting others use my tools to open up doors (or drawers I should say), and allow more exchange and just general interaction between techs, especially not knowing new faces for very long. And also by watching them use something of mine (at least just the first time) gave me some gauge of how they would treat something that didn't belong to them. Thanks again, great videos!

[@Nipplator99999999999]

My sister's husband always used to borrow my tools, the problem was that he wouldn't tell me he had taken the tools and then would lie about it when I found out. One day I had to go help my sister fix her van at his cousins house and in his living room was most of the missing tools. It turns out he had been giving them to him as payment for working on his truck for him. I stopped him from borrowing my tools by running a high voltage/ low amp charge through my toolbox. That works very well except for the days I forget to turn it off before opening the box.

[@simpesfaip]

lol.how about u install a motion detection camera and post a video of cases when u forget to turn off the power/

[@ScorpionRegent]

David Johnston I hate those sub-humans that you have to count your fingers after you shake hands. There aren't a whole lot of ways to do things right, but it seems there is countless number of ways to be a loser.

[@ScorpionRegent]

I pretty much agree with what you said. All I want is for some one to ask first and return it right a away, relatively clean. I usually will loan tools to a coworker if they can do that. That said if some one keeps borrowing the same tool three times or more. I tell them that it is time to buy one of their own. I won't cut them off completely, but a I shouldn't be working out some else's box and visa versa. If it was dirty all ready then don't sweat cleaning it. If I work with some one hand in hand and we have a understanding, then it they don't even have to ask, because I know that it will be back in just soon as their done with it. I also try buy something I have borrowed more than twice. There are some expensive tools I afford to lose that I won't loan, a good example would be my scope / scanner. I did have problem with a guy who borrowed some wrenches and didn't put them back in the right place. I could find them for a week. I'm sure he didn't do it on purpose, but he couldn't be bothered to pay attention to where they belonged and It was really frustrating working without those wrenches, so I cut him off. Every so often I will have a odd person walk off the street and ask to borrow a tool "just for a minute". To this I reply "You wouldn't ask a baker to borrow his oven so don't ask to borrow my tools." If some one is in a serious jam and just needs a one tool to get on the road I might loan it to them against some form of collateral. The thing that really raises my blood pressure is the guys who don't respect the common tools that belong to the shop. Those are the tools that should be be treated with the most respect, but tools with lots of parts like a fuel pressure gauge or a puller sets can easily be made useless if critical parts go missing. Even worse no one will admit to the screw up.

[@usmale47374]

No good deed goes unpunished. Loaning your tools ranks right up there near the top of that list. I've lost tons of tools by allowing others to use them, including a come along and an extension ladder. The first was loaned to a relative, the second to a guy who trimmed my shrubs. Neither was ever returned.

[@jeffstanley4593]

I had a friend that borrowed a few things from me and they looked better than ever when he brought them back. Great guy. In my old age, I do not like to loan anything. I bought it, you buy it.

[@JonnyCrash]

I've only borrowed tools once. About fifteen years ago the transmission went out in my '86 Mustang GT. One of my Dad's co-workers was nice enough to let me borrow a nice slide hammer (to remove the pilot bearing) and a Snap-On torque wrench (to correctly torque the flywheel and clutch pressure plate). I took care of them and returned them in a timely manner. Good times.

[@Twinturbo120]

I once lent my friend a 12 piece combination wrench set, all SAE. When I get them back, one was metric. Pissed me off -.-

[@carlosavila1155]

I recently became a Lube Tech. The other Lube Techs have been great about letting me borrow tools and recommending which tools I should get first and which ones can wait.

[@C25A1guy]

The whole etiquette thing is extremely important. I remember having to both borrow and/or loan tools. My basic thing is treat it like it's yours and make sure it makes its way back into my box. The sucky thing is when you borrow a tool and it breaks while in your possession. It has happened to me more than once. What I do is tell who I borrowed the tool from immediately and buy them a replacement the next time the truck comes around.

[@jkay2990]

I agree 100% Eric. I own a really busy fast pace shop in Shelby Township Michigan. I have 6 Technicians that Work under me. I say to my self everyday this is not worth it. I enjoyed it better when I was a small shop all by myself. It has grown into a extremely busy shop. So busy means more Technicians and more mouths to feed. I truly liked it better when I was a small shop and worked by myself. Then you could pick and choose what you really wanted to do. White all this over head I have to take on all the headaches and it’s not worth it. After 35 years in this industry I am sick of people using my tools, hunting for them fixing their mistakes and I am burnt out, big time. Stay by yourself.

[@jkay2990]

Oh yea. I really enjoy all of your videos. I can really relate to you and the challenges you face everyday. With out people like us this world would be a broken place

[@morgansword]

I pulled wrench's for over forty years only to get hurt, forced to retire cause of injury at age sixty. This is about "borrowing" tools or my job. Really, think about it.. the tool they want to borrow is one that is usually job specific so its expensive and you only have one. You loan it out and bingo, the next job in your shop is that type of job related and they haven't brought the tool back yet. Then you have the guy who always brings it right back but damn it, your tool is buggered up cause they didn't know how to use it. This is the one though I thought you would like: I had a variety of pullers and this other shop I was friends with would send a mechanic over with the I need to beg the ">>" and they still haven't brought another tool back so YOU say: Yeah you can borrow it but put a deposit on this tool and make it an expensive deposit. "Eh Why?" Well since you have a slow return rate, and I might just need it too.. and if I do, I have to drive to town and buy another one cause you have mine. Time is money so your buying my gas and my shop rate time to go get another one because I'm not taking a cut in wages just to replace a tool you never returned..... Bottom line you take that deposit and loan it or make a hard and fast rule: I DON'T LOAN MY TOOLS.. and like Obama said "PERIOD!" ... after forty years I could write a book on many shop subjects so I thank you for letting me vent on your page

[@blosom2315]

I love my tools like you love your wife, don't ask to borrow mine and I won't ask to borrow yours

[@testbooster]

Well said...

[@SuperPetrolhead87]

totally agree eric,if i borrow a tool more than twice ill buy my own!it really gets my goat when other techs keep asking to borrow the same tool....BUY YOUR OWN.

[@crayez4441]

I learn't my lesson, lend out my tools, come back dirty or i find them broken on top of my box later on in the day..Fuck that, they cost too much to be buying them for fun.

[@bullseyestrat]

I agree with Eric on this one. Back in highschool I used to have a nice toolbox in Electronics shop. There would be times I wouldn't care if people borrowed tools as long as they gave them back in the same shape. Although there was alot of classmates who would take my tools without asking and probably never see the tool again. Kind of a frustrating middle

[@PorcelainShrine]

Wow, I guess I'm kind of lucky at the place I work at. I work at a small independent auto shop for around 3 years now and all my coworkers are really cool with borrowing and lending tools. I haven't lost any tools yet and I treat my coworkers tools like they're my babies and I return them clean and shining new.

[@anthm76]

Here's a tip I learned as a young tech 20 years ago: Don't just go in a guy's box and just take the tool you need because he wasn't around at the time to ask, and worse don't forget to put it back and leave it laying around the shop. If you do at least you can laugh about it 20 years later.

[@126lma]

Sign for the workshop! The man who lends tool's is out!

[@rbjoseph25]

I'm a DIY'er with a retired mechanic for a dad. So my tool selection is quite extent. Before I was 19 I could do your "normal" stuff. Brakes, rotations, oil, plugs, belts, ect. Then I had a timing belt jump, took it to a mechanic, and saw the $1200 bill for replaced valves and decided I would learn as much as possible so I don't have to pay that again. Now I'm 30 and I work on everyone's car that I know. And I DO NOT lend out tools.

[@ericmoney9734]

Very true! I just recently started buying tools and I won't lend them out, even though I have a lifetime warranty on them just in case they break. But I'm really not much of a borrower or lender either. I usually buy tools that I know I'll need in the future( as opposed to just a once in a lifetime job) and will rent specialty tools.

[@vitiay]

Some very sloppy people drop your tools on the ground (asphalt or concrete) like if it is some sort of old dirty broom. I had that happen right in front of me many times. I can't imagine what happens when you are not there watching. FTS

[@danielgarcia9095]

3rd time you better b buying one

[@robbiedw1495]

I was 17 when my neighbor let me use his concrete driveway and tools to pull the motor from my pickup (our driveway was gravel and I only had basic tools). Afterwards I cleaned and organized his tools in his toolbox and pressure washed his driveway. Fast forward 3 years and he offers me my first job out of college. Fast forward 6 years and he still lets me borrow some tools I haven't acquired.

[@dochiggins]

If I borrow a tool twice I figure I will need it so I go get it I don’t really do 3rd times a charm. I’m lucky in regards to that a good bulk of my Snap-on and Mac tools were paid for through veterans vocational rehabilitation but I’ve also spent quite a chunk adding and growing my tool collection

[@Sonyag1]

I never lend tools. Learned the hard way. After breaking a tool and me telling him to replace it, my EX friend said, "I'm not paying to replace it. Oh well...YOU let me borrow it." I should have used my breaker bar to brush his teeth. Grrr...

[@Sonyag1]

***** Understood Stonn V. That was the first and last time I will be burned by irresponsible people. I simply won't put anyone in a position to ruin their work/personal relationship with me.

[@Yonny316]

Sonyag1 so you're not a feather roughler huh?

[@steve5912]

@@Sonyag1 Shoulda beat his ass

[@bloodpuremager]

Lot of unfortunate responses here - I guess i'm lucky! I work in a shop where everyone has a fairly large and expensive set of tools. We all leave our boxes unlocked 24/7 and everyone is welcome to eachothers box, and not a single tool or part has ever been lost. There was one instance where a lent tool was damaged, but it was under warranty and it wasn't broken due to negligence, so it was all good. We all still try to buy tools if we find ourselves borrowing them more than a couple times, but no one has an issue because we all respect one anothers tool chests.

[@miket6978]

I let most other techs borrow tools, the ones i don't are the ones that buy cheap ass harbor freight tools and want to borrow my snap on tools because theirs are rounding bolts over or breaking. its one thing if you don't have it, its another when you buy shit tools and expect to use my tools when yours aren't good enough.

[@Jim-fe2xz]

Someone wrote "never a borrower or lender be". Better to keep a friendship than hassle trying to get your stuff back. Way easy to get cheap one use tools or even "borrow" them from a parts house these days.

[@0Myles0]

Often times, I consider lending any tools basically "giving" the tool away. So, as you mentioned, I have also just gone and did the work myself, rather than loan out a tool.

[@lawrencepage6141]

Im a truck mechanic and we all borrow each others things but you are spot on if someone doesnt lend to me or is a jerk about it there is no way hes getting help but ill say this if i owned every tool for truck repair i would be one broke fellah

[@wickedxe]

every time i lend something, they NEVER come back in the same condition as that they were lent in! i am getting to the point that i never want to lend anything, friends, neighbors always wreck my stuff (even in a small way, i still know that i would have done ANY damage, i am very careful with my stuff because i don't have the money to fix damage)

[@mp-uy9sv]

That's true Dave, that's why tool borrowing is generally not allowed in mechanic workshops, there sometimes are big signs on there walls saying so. . Too many arguments, broken or lost tools etc..

[@alcyr5655]

Been there and lived it. Didn't have a problem with lending my tools out at the start.

[@nealmont]

I don't mind lending tools. I have not had too many bad experiences. If I have to borrow something more than once, I will usually buy it, unless it is something real expensive.

[@Peter-V_00]

Expensive or not, if you keep "borrowing" it's time to anti up, don't borrow something unless you can afford to replace it and of course the moral is if you can afford to replace what you borrow you need to own it in the first place.

[@ClayCGaming]

I borrowed a spanner last year and it broke without breaking the nut loose but whatever, I went to the shop and got an identical one, same brand and everything and gave the person the new one, when I need another tool he will for sure lend me it (if I ever will need to borrow another), since I bought lots of tools for my new garage (I'm a DIY-er)

[@Houdinii1212]

theres me and 2 other guys in our shop that have a open box thing weather where there that day or not. and if something is missing theres only one guy that would have it so theres no wories. but none of us like asking others for tools or lending tools outside of our circle.

[@PaulKile]

I am a diy car hobbyist, been one for 40+ years. About 30 years ago my neighbor asked to borrow my set of 6 Proto British Standard combination wrenches. I knew him pretty well (and where he lived) so I said OK. A week or so later I got my wrenches back...5 of them! The bastard swore up and down I only gave him 5, even when I showed him the 6 nails in my garage where they usually hung. Fast forward 5 years or so, I order a catalog for a little outfit that carries BS/Whitworth tools. First page of the catalog shows a special sale of one size Proto combo wrench...the same size I was missing, and it was cheap! I order one and it perfectly matches the rest of my set. The only thing that would have fully completed the Karmic circle would have been if I could have conned the asshole neighbor into paying for the replacement wrench. Alas, he had long since evaporated into the ozone amid a cloud of pot smoke...

[@ETCG1]

I enjoyed that story. Thanks for sharing it.

[@joedirt7091]

Word to the wise Eric i dont loan my tools out because they always come broken.

[@r.davidson]

I've been a frequent customer of second hand parts yards where you remove the parts yourself for a while now. I bring with me a decent set of tools, a full socket set and a toolbox full of other tools (spanners, pliers, vice grips, torx sockets, etc). I've lent tools to unknown people on occasion and in one case, helped two women remove a spoiler from an old Holden Commodore. So far all of my tools have come back, and not only that they have not been broken. I do hesitate to lend tools though, especially in the situation where you don't know who is using them... I basically take my chances and hope that these people don't break the tool and also return it. So far, its worked out, but before lending a tool in this situation I will always ask them what they are removing and where they are working (and then watch them go back to the vehicle). While the tool is gone though, I'm always wondering if I will get it back, and if I do, what condition it will come back in. Thats the scary part.

[@steve5912]

I feel ya

[@geraldwayne6261]

A few non-negotiable rules: Ask first, don't just go in my box and get anything! If you break it, you replace it! Clean it up after use! Put it back where you got it from, not the next drawer up or down! I borrowed a Chisel about 2 foot long once. I ended up breaking off about an inch and a half. The guy said no problem he would fix it. As luck would have it, the tool truck was due that day. I bought him a brand new one for about 70 bucks and gave it to him. He repaired the old one and gave it to me! About 5 years later when he retired he asked for his old one back and gave me the one I bought years before! A little responsibility goes a long ways! I never had any problem with him when I needed to borrow something, the worst that could happen is, he would end up with a brand new "what's it" if I lost or broke his!

[@jetjazz05]

If you let a "friend" borrow a torque wrench and you catch them using it as a breaker bar it's time to not lend to that friend. Also, a ratcheting wrench ratchet end is NOT used for breaking crank bolts by flicking the starter. ;)

[@AnagramForCraig]

I'm in school right now and I've lent out tools on numerous occasions. I'm generally OK with it, but one revision I should make is that people are not allowed to touch my screwdrivers. Almost every time I see someone with my screwdrivers, they are trying to pry something with them. :/

[@steve5912]

😂 Everyone uses screwdrivers for that

[@livefree1030]

If you borrow the same tool more than 2 times, its time to buy your own.

[@ShopTalkWithJason]

I'm usually nice to people who want to borrow tools. If it's their first time borrowing from me, I tell them: "If you ever borrow any tools from me, and I have to come and find them, you'll never borrow anything again. If you break my Craftsman tool, you're the one who's going to drive to Sears and get me a warranty replacement. If you break my truck brand tools, you are the one who's getting on the truck and getting a warranty. If it's non-warrantable, you're buying me a new one." If it's anybody outside the service/parts dept. (i.e. sales, finance, etc), I ask their name and location in case I have to hunt them down, and get collateral so they remember to come back. I have had lot lizards and other people start going through my tools. I have walked away from my stall only to come back and catch people in the act. If this happens, I yell at them. I point out that it's not OK to do that, and anyone else in the shop would also be upset. When they realize their guilt and then ask to borrow it, I say: "No because you didn't ask first!" After I've calmed down, I seek that person out and remind them that I will loan them what they need as long as they ask first, but if I catch them borrowing without asking again, they lose that privilege and I take the issue to management. If I ever lost my marbles and tried to borrow without asking, I would expect the same consequences. Hell, even when I have permission to borrow what I need when I need it without asking, I will still ask. If you don't see me returning it, I will usually get your attention. If you're gone when I return it and I need it again, I will get permission to borrow it again. If I can't, I will find someone else. I try to avoid loaning my 3/8 MATCO Pit Bull air ratchet because the first guy to borrow it didn't listen when I said: "It's advertised as having the most torque on the market, please be careful." He smashed his thumb and got one of those nasty black bruises under his thumb nail, and he also somehow managed to bleed pretty badly from 2 other fingers. I felt really bad. Sure, it's his fault for not respecting the tool's ability to hurt him, but I felt like I should have tried harder to warn him. If I borrow something a couple of times in a month, I start pricing my own. A couple of times in a week and I'm gonna buy my own. If it's just too expensive, I find the nicest coworker I can and explain that I can't afford my own at this point in time, and that's usually good enough to get permission. I also try not to borrow too many tools too often from the same person or the same tool too often from the same person because that always leads to the "When are you going to buy your own tools?!" type of questions. What kind of disrespectful douchebag borrows a tool, doesn't return it, and then takes it home?! Has that really happened to you? I'd be mad as hell! Something that you touched on is that you expect people to treat your tools better than they treat their own. When I was a little little kid, my dad always told me that "When you borrow a man's tools, you always return them in the same or better condition than when you borrowed it. If you damage it, you replace it for him." This covers things like don't drop it. When you put it down between uses, you make sure it's in a safe location to prevent damage. And most importantly: before you return it, you do the best job that you can to clean it and inspect for damage. In my early teens, I borrowed a bicycle chain breaker from our neighbor and broke the damn thing. The box had a price sticker on it of $4.99, so I went to my room and got $7.00, took the money and tool to him and explained that I was taught to replace a borrowed tool that I broke. Long story short, he told me not to worry about it, gave my money back, and kept that tool. I saw him using it once. I felt so bad that I never ever asked to borrow anything from him ever again. I spent lots of time with a hammer and center punch, learning new cuss words whenever a chain wouldn't stay on top of the socket I was using to hold it or when it didn't break properly. Professionally, I haven't broken a borrowed tool yet. Knock on wood.

[@kenman1717]

Where I work, a couple of the guys I trust enough that they just grab a socket or wrench when they need it, they always return them, no problem. They always ask for any specialty stuff. I hate when people just go through my box without asking. I loaned out an 1/2 to 3/4 adapter a month ago to a tire guy, I forgot about it, about a week later I needed it, nobody knew anything, went into the tire shop and went straight for their bin of sockets, low and behold my adapter and a few of my impact sockets, all Snap On. None of their stuff is, its all Napa. So at our monthly staff meeting, I brought it up that no tools get lent to them unless it goes through the manager, and under no circumstances are they to go anywhere near my toolbox.

[@pookatim]

Another topic for newbies would be tool abuse. Using the wrong tool leads to unnecessary problems. As a youngster, the Master Mechanic in the service station where I worked was adament about that. "Your tools are your hands!" he would say.

[@FryGuy65]

I avoid it when I can, but I work at an independent shop so there's no telling what's going to roll through the doors. Between the more "advanced" techs there's a fair amount of borrowing, but we have been working together for several years. Usually the borrowing is some special tool for the random 87 BMW or whatever that comes in. Wrenches, sockets, etc., not so much. I always try to return it AT LEAST as clean as when I got it. If you break it, you bought it. Some we've been doing this for a while we understand that stuff breaks, but you replace it and move on. Not to say that there isn't a fair amount of good natured trash talking when someone borrows and breaks something though.

[@tjd321654]

Not my tools, not my car, not my girl, sorry bro, you ain't touching any of those…hahahaha

[@martinferreira4133]

Hi there great video. What do you do in a workshop if only 3 guys out of 15 has hammers and 2 guys have power bars, only 2 guys with pry bars (2 pry bars) was stolen. Because they get pissed of if you say no? The people don't want to use their salary to buy spanners etc? My real question is , is how to say NO ?

[@orgl0l896]

I'm always finding specialty things here and there i don't have, but i try to make it as convenient as possible for who i borrow it from. i get the job done quick, i clean the tool to look as good if not better than when i got it, and i make sure that i either hand it to them when i'm done, or put it where it goes and tell em i put it back.

[@TheMentalblockrock]

NEVER lend your tools out is the best policy!

[@peanut6726]

Quinn...ever had to buy professional quality tools to make your living? Stupid fuck.

[@Yonny316]

Peanut 67 hhahahahaa. I've had to borrow tools and I have the most expensive, extensive line up in the shop. Sometimes you just need to borrow things...?

[@scottjohnson7774]

after 20 years as a machinist I now ask for a deposit ie a credit card or drivers license if you want to "borrow" anything! I also don't loan out any electrical equipment or measuring tools period so don't ask

[@fuckjewtube69]

+Bryan Sullivan Didnt Snape kill you?

[@rustynail9793]

Only time I will borrow a tool is if its a special tool I need... Things such as ball joint presses... I sold my ball joint press a year ago, then when the day finally came when I needed it, I really needed it... I borrowed one from a professional mechanic I know, I told him exactly when I was bringing it back, and I treated it way better than I ever treat my own stuff... My tools if it gets dirty, so be it... His tool, I cleaned the grease off it, put it in the box exactly the way I borrowed it, and then brought it inside to make sure it was 100% safe until I took it back.. If it got damaged or stolen, I wouldnt be able to sleep for a year cause I would feel bad and be up... I would replace it, but that wouldnt stop me from feeling bad about it.

[@VintageCars999]

Sometimes you have a job that requires a tool you don't have. So it's always good to depend on someone to get one. However one thing that i have noticed that sometimes a certain tool could not be working right or broken so it's generally a good idea to make sure that tool is working properly before leaving, if it's broken it's best to show that it is broken to the owner or the owner should be responsible enough to say, "hey this tool is not working well but enough to get the job done". Once i borrowed something that was already broken and the guy thought i broke it. But it wasn't even his tool either, it was a company tool but he claimed it was his so i wasn't worried about it.

[@rradioactiv]

thinking about bringing a loaner box to work and filling it with crap tools i have laying around the home garage. (everyone who wrenches has the no name crappy tool stash at the house. whether it was a failed xmas gift or something you found everyone has one)

[@100SteveB]

I hate borrowing tools, i have done it, but avoid it whenever i can. I am always worried i will damage the tool, or it might break. Don't get me wrong, i look after my own tools very well, most of them last me a life time. But Murthy's Law is bound to come into play if i borrow someone else's.

[@gokartbuyer]

Do you mean Murphy's Law?

[@gbowne1]

McMurtys law?

[@gweedomurray9923]

gbowne1 Even the name is subject to.... well, its own law.

[@JOEZEP54]

I could not have said it any better. We’re on the same page here.

[@xcolombianphilix]

I like this topic. Me myself ill lend but as im putting it on ur hand I say. "Give it back or ur not borrowing again"

[@tomrominski4022]

Depends on the tool for me. I have a few friends who are always borrowing my oil filter removers and metric sockets on occasion. I would be a lot more hesitant to lend my Dremel kit.

[@rodentexplosion]

I generally don't mind lending tools to anybody as long as they bring them back clean in a timely manner as well. I loaned a kid at work my harmonic balancer remover tool and didn't get it back for 6 months or so because he forgot it in his friends garage across town. Never again.

[@titxtreme]

I keep a second set of common tools, cheap brands and ones I dont mind if they go missing for a while. These are my lenders, that if someone asks I will go to this pile. The rest are off limits, or I will go and help them out so I get it back right away.

[@JunkPileOMatic]

My grand dads saying was if you can't do without it don't lend it out. Maybe that was money. Lol or both .

[@510Exclusive]

I've just started as a professional tech and i did have to borrow tools from the older heads every once in a while. luckily they understood that i had a tool bag and a basic socket set to my name and let me slide. first pay check, tool box, second pay check fill it with tools. borrowed some from my dads home garage full of tools and always brought them back each day. in the beginning id ask if they had a tool, theyd say yes, then if i could borrow it then they'd say ohhhhh you want to borrow it. The way i got passed that is lending a hand in any way possible. They have 7 tools of whatever i have so they don't need to borrow from me. but they are older and need help maybe with bigger tires or lending an extra hand and thats where i come in. when they need help i drop what I'm doing to go lend a hand. Now i ask and they're like sure no problem go ahead. i acquire any tool i think i need if when i find it. i let anyone borrow tools from my box (craftsman mainly in there so not too big of a deal) as long as they put it back and if not they're not leaving the shop without finding it. You help me i help you, simple as that even i get help on a car, they may get some labor from the job. Side note, been binge watching repair videos to learn as much as possible and such awesome work Eric!!!

[@bstevermer9293]

I've always worked with great guys, no one ever locked their box. Some tools are just to $ to buy to use one time a year.

[@johnhundley2637]

I agree with everything you said. I have Benn a Hyundai tech for the last 3 years or so and have a fng between my stall and and another experienced coworker constantly asking to barrow our tools or sneaking In to our toolbox but he won't buy anything what should we do?

[@punker6506]

I work at a smaller shop. There are 3 techs. I don't borrow tools as often as I used to (i usually buy them my self if i borrow it a few times) but I am pretty lax with borrowing tools. there is a hand full of of people who I know and trust them fully. it is understood though that if you break it you bought it.

[@bobbyd642]

Tools are crazy expensive. I have over 40 grand box and tools. In the shop our rule was after 2 times, You need to go ahead and buy it!

[@DaHitch]

I have this colleague who at times asks to borrow some tool and I'm fine with that as sometimes I borrow one of his. The problem is, when I borrow something of his as soon as I'm done with it I bring it back. I don't hold on to it longer than I need to use it. He on the other hand borrows it, uses it and then keeps it lying around all day long so that when I need it I need to go ask him where he put it. When I ask him that I'd like him to return my tool when he's done with it he just replies "but I'll bring it back when the day is over", which -granted- he does, but it annoys me that he just doesn't bring it back immediately. I'm very peculiar about where my stuff is in my bench and when something is missing that I'm not currently using it bugs the heck out of me. I should note I don't work in an environment where have to buy my own tools, the place where I work provides them if and when needed. However we are limited in the amount of space we have in our work benches so I have the tools that I use most in there and some I don't bother asking for because I don't need them that often and don't have the room for them and in my work environment that is perfectly acceptable.

[@tox401]

I hate borrowing just as much as lending and not just tools

[@amunderdog]

Your Elvis clock is really something. Next time maybe we can discuss loaning your vehicle. I have had to borrow a tool before. It was terrible. I do not like that. Last time I loaned tools I never saw them again. So that turned out terrible also.

[@babychristian1988]

I've lent out one of my flex head snap on ratchets to a tech in my shop and long story short he left it in a car and I never seen it again but he did buy me a new one and there not at all cheap there like 349 for the one he had to replace like you said always treat tools with resecpt plus its how I make the money to feed my child! lol now I'm very cautious on who I lend too!

[@kmkcopkiller]

once time before I was a mechanic I was a parts guy and shop assistant. asked a dude to borrow disposable gloves and he gave me the death stare, before he could even answer me I was just like ok man nvm then.....I think he felt bad after cuz after that he always let me borrow his tools and of course I was very respectful in letting him know when I brought the tool back and always ask first. if you can tell a guy is hesitant to give u his tools just ask the next guy don't make it awkward..

[@IIGrayfoxII]

The salesmen keep "borrowing" the screw drivers from our PC techbay and they dont tend to return them.

[@joesmith5775]

like all mechanics ive made personal sacrifices to buy tools. like not eating out. driving an old car. and other things. what pisses me off the most is when someone who drives a super expensive car owns a house. has the latest iphone and so on. asks me to borrow a tool he dosnt want to buy

[@towmotornoises]

When I borrow tools, I give a cut of the job I am using the tools for to the tech I borrowed the tools from. That usually solves any issues.

[@TheInitialForce]

I am a DIY guy. It's gotten down to where I have one friend I am willing to lend tools to and that's it unless you are with in visual range of me or one of my neighbors (aka I can come bug you every 5 minutes if i need to to get it back lol). To many bad experiences.

[@ashleymcgovern5120]

I pop riveted some bonnet vents on my old Vauxhall Nova years ago, to better get some air into an induction filter. The age of Max Power car modding crap etc. I brought home my riveter from work for the bank holiday weekend, went to buy some extra long Stanley rivets for the job about £15 £4.98 x3 packs at Halford's. Usual ones were too short. Somebody in a flash Japanese sports car wanted to put some skirts down the sides of their car (always the same type of people want to borrow tools, flash Ricks. Want their stuff to look good & pose at the expense of everybody else). So they asked to borrow my riveter, I said "sure". Wasn't bothered lending it. Then I said "Halford's doing a special on the long rivets, £4.98 a pack, that's what you want for that". The guy had a tantrum & said "I'll go & borrow someone else's then, If I can't have the rivets as well" & stormed off. Cheeky bastard not only wanted to borrow the riveter (cuz he couldn't afford £9.99 for his own, while rolling around posing) he wanted ALL the extra long Stanley rivets, minus the 8 I already used, that I just paid £15 for, for nothing! Some people just have a leaky tap valve in emergencies & have no tools & genuinely need help etc, some just take the piss.