"benjrblant" (benjblant)
08/08/2020 at 23:09 • Filed to: None
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"benjrblant" (benjblant)
08/08/2020 at 23:09 • Filed to: None | 1
| 20 |
Oppo,
What do you say? I’ve spent several years working on an extensive bike tool collection. I work on bikes as a hobby for friends for a tiny income, typically just enough money to cover my own expenses or to purchase another tool for a job.
Is there a polite way to tell friends that you are unwilling to loan them things because you need or might need it for a job? How do you not offend them, yet kindly remind them that they’re asking to take an investment out of potential use for several days or weeks at a time?
I’m leaning towards something like “you can bring your project here and use the tool but I need to keep it around for an upcoming job.”
BaconSandwich is tasty.
> benjrblant
08/08/2020 at 23:17 |
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I think that's a reasonable answer. Probably nicer than "I have a policy of not lending out tools after (insert incident where tool was broken/stolen).
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benjrblant
> benjrblant
08/08/2020 at 23:19 |
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i hate kinja
Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
> benjrblant
08/08/2020 at 23:23 |
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I recommend working on it together at your place, but only if you actually want to. No need for the white lie at the end, I think it’s perfectly okay to tell people you don’t loan out your tools. Not getting them back is possible, things being returned broken is only marginally less awful. You should not feel bad for feeling this way, don’t get pressured into doing something you don’t want to do to avoid a mild confrontation.
atfsgeoff
> benjrblant
08/08/2020 at 23:24 |
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Depends on the tool and who is asking. I have a few friends and family members I’ll trust with any tool I own, bu
t anyone else can pound sand and buy their own.
VincentMalamute-Kim
> benjrblant
08/08/2020 at 23:24 |
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Your answer still runs the risk of them damaging your tools. Which is what happens with me.
Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
> benjrblant
08/08/2020 at 23:25 |
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I do t lend tools unless I’m 100% sure I’ll never use it again. Like my floor nailer. Bike tools I would not lend out either. I’d rather just fix their bike and k ow I’ve done it right than lend someone my derailure alignment tool.
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benjrblant
> Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
08/08/2020 at 23:32 |
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Not intented to be a lie, perhaps I should’ve said “if a job comes up” or something like that, but thank you for the valid points and considerations.
The Snowman
> benjrblant
08/08/2020 at 23:34 |
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My friends know they can use whatever they want in my shop and know better than to ask to take something out of it.
ranwhenparked
> benjrblant
08/08/2020 at 23:41 |
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Pretend to not speak English
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Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
> benjrblant
08/08/2020 at 23:41 |
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My bad, though it does leave open for, "But you're not using them right now, right?"
HammerheadFistpunch
> benjrblant
08/08/2020 at 23:43 |
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I use the standard shop response “I don’t loan out tools”.
Granted I do actually loan out tools, but nothing I can’t afford to never see again.
I just loaned out a square taper crank puller to my neighbor tonight, she brought back the crank because the new (old) middle ring I gave her didn’t fit the crappy biopace crankset, but she did get the crank off. so that’ s something.
I have like 3 square taper crank pullers, so missing one wont make me cry
Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street.
> benjrblant
08/08/2020 at 23:45 |
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Depends on the tool, how long they need it, if I have another, and if I need it frequently.
Examples at work:
Adapter to power a board: “Here you go.”
Precision screwdriver: “Okay.” Two hours later.. “Repo depot here.”
Soldering iron: "Bring your stuff here."
shop-teacher
> benjrblant
08/09/2020 at 00:31 |
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Same way I keep from lending my truck to people. I will gladly haul a load for a friend, but the number of people who can actually borrow my truck, I could count on one hand. So, I think no your approach is the right one.
smobgirl
> benjrblant
08/09/2020 at 01:04 |
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Sounds like the perfect solution to me. I don’t need any help losing things so if it’s only used at my place I should (theoretically) eventually find it again.
SmugAardvark
> benjrblant
08/09/2020 at 01:11 |
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To me personally, this is one of the times where I’m just flat out honest and tell people no. I’m not rude about it, and generally say something to the effect of, “Nothing personal, but I don’t loan my tools out to anyone.” The more to the point I am, the less they’ll try and dig for excuses.
If they’re a real friend, they should understand. If they get mad about it, they’re probably more about using you for your stuff than being your buddy. At least that’s how I see it. A true friendship shouldn’t end over refusing to let them take your stuff.
Alternatively, you could have a sort of lending collateral system. Tell them they can borrow whatever they need, but they have to leave something of equal or greater value with you in its place (or its value in cash) . I once had a buddy’s 50cc scooter for three months for letting them take my engine hoist home with them.
notsomethingstructural
> benjrblant
08/09/2020 at 01:43 |
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That’s exactly what I would do. Bring it here, I’ll grab a 6 pack.
DipodomysDeserti
> benjrblant
08/09/2020 at 03:05 |
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Family is always yes. All my friends wrench, some for a living, so no one would ever ask to borrow a tool. I imagine that’d be a bit awkward to deal with for someone who doesn’t know. But if a coworker ever asked I’d just offer to help them with the project.
Camping gear is more of an issue for me. My brother is really the only person I’ll loan gear to.
Sovande
> benjrblant
08/09/2020 at 07:07 |
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I usually say “Ha!"
Jayvincent
> benjrblant
08/09/2020 at 08:50 |
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I say “haha, No.” If I have the time, I’ll volunteer to bring my tools and help them, or i’ll suggest where to get the tools they need, since they will probably need them again, so it’s totally better if they have their own on-hand for the next time something breaks or goes out of adjustment. Or I remind them they can rent some tools like engine hoists or pulley pullers for big jobs... I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve lent tools... in my lifetime.
Jarrett - [BRZ Boi]
> benjrblant
08/09/2020 at 11:03 |
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Depends on who it is. I don’t have many uncommon tools that people would ask for in the first place. I don’t like lending stuff out.
I will lend my parents anything they want though. Last time I lent my dad my lawnmower because his wouldn’t start. Got it back with fresh oil and a sharpened blade!