Page 67 - Issue 38

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What each is able to do is etched in the what application the original owner made it
back of your mind. These are your problem- for—only they would know exactly where and
solvers for when something doesn’t work out why they built it. Now, I’m not saying these
the way it should—which is most of the time collectible tools need to be encased in helium
when it comes to working on ancient iron. and locked away. Just put them somewhere
Are there any guidelines written, or perhaps so can admire them when you need to let
unwritten, to help you navigate this potentially some rusty nut soak a few more minutes in
tricky terrain of lending your tools? penetrating oil.
I think everyone has some tools
they can lend because if you don’t,
then you just gave up the right to Are there any power tools
asking to borrow yourself. When it
comes down to it, something you that are smart to lend out?
don’t really use (need) that often is If you have something easily
perfect to give out: your mini fl oor
jack, those mismatched wrench replaceable, I say go for it.
and socket sets, and any random
crescent wrench or vise grip that
fl oats around on your parts runner’s fl oor. Are there any power tools that are smart
Anything you have two or three of should to lend out? If you have something easily
be fi ne to lend out, too. It might be wise to replaceable, I say go for it. I would think twice
keep a list, a chart, a spreadsheet, something, about lending anything rechargeable since
somewhere as a reminder of where something battery packs seem to hide themselves well
went. It should also be said that if something enough in your own shop at home—you can get
is gone long enough for you to forget about it, them rebuilt, but if they are lost, you are out of
then you maybe don’t need it any longer. luck. In my opinion I would lend out a pneumatic
I believe there are some tools you can over an electric. They just seem to be built better
keep in that sacred drawer of your cabinet and less likely to fail when someone else is (ab)
that never leave your shop under any using it. I hate getting into that awkward position
circumstances. These can be tools you always where something is broken when you get it back,
use and are never more than an arm’s reach and you need to decide how to cover the cost of
away like that decades-old ⁄8 drive swivel repair or replacement. I don’t want them to feel
3
ratchet that you know you will never be able obliged to pay up, but it did work fi ne the last
to fi nd a rebuild kit for or a digital torque time I had it…
wrench you got as a gift. Or maybe a special Lastly, it is ok to say no. If someone needs
tool set you inherited—some things just can’t something that bad, they will fi nd a way. Many
be replaced. Anything expensive and hard to auto parts stores will lend tools free of charge—
fi nd should be off-limits to lending. they want to sell you the expensive parts, so
Some of you collect tools, old tools, unique they certainly will let you use their tools. There
tools. These should never be lent to anyone. are lots of places to fi nd cheaper, used tools
I have a soft spot for early lug wrenches and (pawn shops, estate sales, Craigslist), but that
those crazy multiheaded plow wrenches from doesn’t help when you need a tool right now
turn of the century farm implements. I always and you don’t have it. So, lend with care and
love coming across old custom made tools, borrow only out of necessity could be a good
but it breaks my mechanical heart not knowing rusty rule to live by.

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