So I lent my neighbor my Felco loppers because his were all worn out and he was cutting back some overgrown evergreens. He brought them back saying "wow ! These just keep cutting through my chain link fence when mine just stop dead" I didn't know what to say.......... I honed out the damage.
"IF" there is a next time that you let out equipment to this hammer head, only let him have it when he can verbalize back to you how to use the equipment. Anyone who cuts wire with lopping shears has no clue.
Betcha he's now on the "no tool loan" list. He'd be on mine. I just realized.......everyone's on that list.
Well he wasn't trying to cut his fence, he was trying to get his fence free from the growth. He did offer to replace them but they cleaned up ok.
Back in 99, training a new guy, running some 10-2 nm romex, he asks where are my tin snips? Right there in the tool box bottom. And I returned to work...thinking..."what the heck does he need snips for?" As I turned around, yup, there he was attacking the cable with my snips...MY snips...that were promptly grooved after that! Got a talking to with some expletives thrown in, you bet.
My toolbox has a big sticker on the front that I can't post a pic of. Got it from the big a on the www. It says: WARNING! Get your own tucking fools! (without the dyslexia) It has stopped a few bad neighbors in their tracks. All I do is point, they mumble, and walk off. The good neighbors I still loan too or I'll run the tool for free for them.
For the uninitiated, it may sound like we are a tad bit harsh regarding our tools. Once you spend the $ for good tools, it is viewed as an investment for years that will pay off in the quality of the tool. One misguided use of that tool ruins said investment. It's been said that you can't afford to buy cheap tools and it's been proven time and again over the decades of my life. Personally, I still use tools that I purchased back in the 70's. Some of the tools I use date back years before that!
I agree. I'll save an extra paycheck or two or maybe even eat very cheaply for a pay period in order to buy a quality tool. Most times even a commercial/pro version of the tool. The sacrifice means the tool means a bit more to me. So in return I treat my tools even better than average. If you can afford it there's nothing more satisfying than buying and using a quality/commercial/pro level tool. It makes the job easier and operating the tool is a pleasure versus a chore. Nothing more frustrating than a poor quality tool making a job harder to do. Sometimes using a quality tool makes a chit job actually slightly enjoyable. My rule of thumb for borrowing is this. Pay attention to the condition of the potential loanee's tools and equipment. If he doesn't take care of his own chit, he's certainly not going to take care of yours.
I still have the receipts for a layaway at Ace hardware for a Milwaukee sawzall that I bought with my paper route money when I was 8 years old. That's 43 years ago ! I still have the sawzall and thanks to my deceased mom the receipts also. Funny thing is that the price of it is about the same as it is today. My son came out into the garage last rainy weekend to see me oiling the wood shovel, rake ect. handles. He asked why we had so many shovels and such. I said some came from great Gramps before the depression, some belonged to Gramps........ Then I said I personally have never bought a shovel or pick or....... and if you do what I'm doing now and try not to leave them out in the weather and realize that they are not a pry bar you won't have to either.
I am a bioutch about my tools spelling... but if you borrow them they need to be right back....Or I am gonna have a hissy fit right in your face....Not to many borrow my tools...
