How do you handle loaning out your power tools? If you’re like most woodworkers you have a very strict policy, whether it’s a qualified yes, a definite yes, or a loud, firm and final NO WAY. A thread over at WoodNet asks the simple question, “what is your policy with lending tools or supplies to family/friends?”
48 comments later you’ll find a manual on how to (and how not to) lend tools so that you protect yourself AND the person you’re potentially lending to.
There are some definite trends in the replies. I read through and tried to group them according to policy. Some guys combined “rules” of lending so I broke those apart too so you can mix and match if you’re still figuring out what policy works best for you. Plus, some of these rules might apply to some of your tools and not others.
You’ll notice also that rules 1 and 7 are complete contradictions. I never said these were 7 clear rules of loaning out your power tools 
1) Never Lend Tools to Anyone, Ever
2) Lend Tools, But Always Go With Them
3) Lend “Replaced” Tools
4) Lend Tools Only to Trusted Friends/Family
5) Sometimes You Bite the Bullet (esp. for family)
6) Use a Replace the Blade/Bit Policy
7) Always Lend Tools Trustingly
1) Never Lend Tools to Anyone, Ever
There are three reasons woodworkers give for following this rule. The first is that they’ve been badly burned in the past. One woodworker, writing in from Brazil, said he lost over 10,000 euros when a neighbor disappeared with tools he’d been borrowing. The second reason given is that the woodworker runs a wood shop and can’t loan out tools for business reasons. The third reason is fear of a negligence lawsuit if the person borrowing the tool happens to hurt himself.
This rule is also known as the “Tools Stay in the Shop” rule, and can sometimes include letting people use your tools in shop.
2) Lend Tools, But Always Go With Them
This was one of the most frequently mentioned rule of lending tools. Most woodworkers didn’t trust people the skill levels of the people they loaned tools to. They said they’d loan tools but ONLY if they went and used the tool themselves on the job. This protects them from getting damaged tools back.
3) Lend “Replaced” Tools
Often times I read how woodworkers simply saved their replaced but still working tools for borrowers. This could eat into your costs as you’re not reselling them though. A subset of this rule is only lending out tools that you can afford to lose - some woodworkers buy extra sets of commonly borrowed tools at yard sales. One person said he saved old, dull blades for lending. Another member said this was actually a dangerous idea as people are more likely to hurt themselves with a dull blade than a sharp one.
4) Lend Tools Only to Trusted Circle of Friends/Family
Another large group of woodworkers said they’d lend tools only to people who’d earned their trust. Usually this was to fellow woodworkers who replaced blades before returning and generally treated the tool as they would their own (or better). Often there were woodworkers who made exception to Rule 1 (Never, to No One) with Rule 4.
5) Sometimes You Bite the Bullet (esp. for family)
There were a couple of woodworkers who mentioned that with family it’s tougher to say no and to add qualifiers. One guy, whose dad was a mechanic, abused tools by using them for jobs they weren’t intended. But… it’s his dad, so he just bites the bullet. These are the cases where you just have to shrug your shoulders and take your beating.
6) Replace the Blade/Bit Policy
Some woodworkers lent out their power tools but only with the understanding that the borrower would replace the blade or bit when they finished. They used the replacement blade or bit when lending the tool to the next borrower. This forces the borrower to accept that nothing’s free when it comes to power tools, and makes them appreciate the importance of upkeep.
7) Always Lend Tools Trustingly
Believe it or not there were two or three woodworkers who believed in always lending tools trustingly. Mostly this was because they’d had a woodworker loan them tools and wisdom without knowing them at all. They believed strongly in passing this along to others.
How about you? What are your rules and policies for lending out your power tools? Comment below and be sure to check out the whole WoodNet thread for more stories!
Read the WoodNet Thread:
What is your policy with lending tools or supplies to family/friends?
