Borrowing tools has been a craftsman’s practice for centuries. No matter what kind of tool you need, there’s a good chance you’ll find a neighbor, friend, family member, or even coworker who owns it. People are usually more than happy to lend their tools with the understanding that they’ll be able to borrow from you too. There aren’t any contracts, signatures, or guarantees. The system is built entirely on trust which means you have a big responsibility to follow the craftsman etiquette for borrowing tools.
The Dos of Borrowing Tools
Treat it better than your own stuff.
Let’s face it. You could be a bit nicer to your tools. That’s why we’re going to take things a bit further than the golden rule. When borrowing equipment, you should treat it better than you would treat your own stuff. That means reading the instructions (shocker…we know!), storing it properly, and handling it carefully.
Leave it better than you found it.
On the job site, you’re used to leaving everything spick and span before wrapping up. Take that same approach when returning a borrowed tool. Even if you received it in poor condition, it’s always a good gesture to spruce it up a bit beforehand. Depending on the tool, you might need to blow off some dirt, sawdust, or other kinds of debris. For gas-powered equipment, you could top off the tank.
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Buy it if you break it.
You always run the risk of accidentally breaking a tool when borrowing it. Whether the damage resulted from misuse or purely due to age, it’s craftsman etiquette to cover the costs for the owner. Most of the time, you can probably get by replacing a part or paying a specialist to fix it. In the worst cases, you might have to buy a new piece of equipment altogether.
Reciprocate the favor.
As a craftsman, you’re expected to join in the sharing of the tools. It’s a long, rich tradition that only carries on if people are willing to offer up their equipment too. You don’t have to announce a free-for-all on your tools to the whole neighborhood, but you could make the same offer to anyone you borrow tools from.
The Don’ts of Borrowing Tools
Don’t leave it out.
When borrowing tools for an extended period, resist the urge to leave them sitting out overnight. Even within the confines of your garage or workshop, equipment can still suffer damage. Tools that come with cases are a no-brainer, everything else you can place in a cabinet or drawer for super safekeeping.
Avoid off-label use.
You’ve developed a lot of skills on the job site and creativity is at the top of the list. However, that out-of-the-box thinking is risky when applied to using borrowed tools. You’re better off sticking strictly to the tool’s recommended use. Don’t try to change parts or modify settings. Leave that MacGyvering to the equipment you own.
Don’t keep it forever.
Most people don’t set a deadline when letting someone use their tools, but that doesn’t mean the return timeline is open-ended. You should still get the equipment back within a reasonable amount of time. If you’re tackling some DIY home fixes, that might be a few weeks. It could even just be a few days for small projects. Just make sure not to forget it in your garage.
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