The global reach of the Internet came home to WoodCentral recently when a visitor from the University of New South Wales in Australia dropped by our messageboards to conduct some research on the topic of tool sharing. Apparently, around the world, many communities pool their resources by maintaining “tool libraries.” Our guest was interested to know: How we felt about the concept of tool sharing and whether we had any suggestions for improvements that would make tools more suitable for sharing. Needless to say, this lively discussion ensued…
The general consensus was that a tool loaning library would not work in the U.S.:
“A tool loaning library is a good theory, but it wouldn’t work very long. Some people will treat the borrowed tools better than their own; others will abuse them since they aren’t theirs. We allow employees to borrow tools at work, but when a tool turns up broken, no one seems to know what happened nor who had it last.”
“I have seen the tool rental places. If these were any indication of what the tool library would be like, it wouldn’t work well. People do not care for things they don’t own.”
“The Shakers believed in having everything in common, with the exception of hand tools. They knew what happened!”
Then, the discussion turned to the borrowing of personal tools. Some were quite open to share:
“The guys in my co-op shop share our tools and our supplies as well. Each of us has their own set of hand tools, but if you can’t find your #3 Philips, you are welcome to borrow mine. In addition we share all large stationary power tools. The advantage of this arrangement allows us to keep working. Taking two hours to go to the hardware store brings production to a halt. Tools are not sacred objects. They’re expendable.”
“I loan tools, and the policy has served me well. The benefits gained in advice and assistance in remodels far outweigh the loss due to damage to one tool I might encounter.”
“While a lot of my tools are off limits, my turning tools are hard to beat up and are expected to be worn away. I will lend a tool to someone if! know him well. Usually, it is a tool that is new or different, and the borrower would like a test drive.”
“I don’t have a problem loaning tools to friends and neighbors. Never had anything mutilated yet. The most expensive tools that I have are nothing more than steel, wood, plastic, etc. Helping a friend in my opinion is worth more than the tools I own.”
“I have loaned and will loan tools to probably half a dozen folks whom I know well and implicitly trust. Someday, I might even loan some to my 31-year old son, if he continues to progress in his care and handling of tools. He’s making progress, but isn’t there yet, so no borrowing.”
But needless to say, this was a minority view:
“Americans are very generous with cash or time, but very rarely with possessions. I am happy to build something for someone or participate in Habitat for Humanity. I would never loan someone a tool that I wasn’t about to throw away anyway.”
“As an amateur, I prize my tools. I do not even loan an electric tool to my son, whom I also prize.”
“It takes so long to build up your set of tools that they are prized possessions. I cringe when someone wants to take something or use the shop when I am not there. Others just want to borrow a tool, use it, and return it. But the owner is the one that has to maintain it.”
“The only way anything of mine is loaned is if I’m 100% sure that the borrower will take better care of it than I would myself.”
“Touch my tools, and I will break your fingers. I use my tools every day to make a living and have sweated, scrimped, and saved to buy them. I refuse to use the community tools in the shop, as they have been beaten and abused. The guys that I work with know better than to ask. If a friend needs to borrow a tool, I go with it.”
“My neighbor is an experienced woodworker. He asked to borrow my unused Delta tenoning jig, and when he brought it back, he complained that the miter bar was too big for the table slot. I should be grateful that he took the trouble to grind it down for me. Now, the jig fits his Craftsman table saw slot, but doesn’t fit my Unisaw slot. And no, he doesn’t want to own a tenoning jig, he only needed it that once.”
“It’s my experience that most woodworkers never lend anything to any body and never expect to borrow. if you reached into my toolbox, I’d probably break your fingers before you could get your hand within 150mm of what you were after, and I don’t know many serious woodworkers that are any different.”
“Once, I made the mistake of opening a friend’s toolbox to grab a plug cutter, only to hear a loud snap and find a mousetrap stuck to my finger. He couldn’t have sent a stronger message.”
“Friends don’t let friends borrow tools. Or strangers or family for that matter. They’re mine, all mine.”
Some would let others use their tools under supervision:
“I will let friends use them in my shop with me there. I think loaning tools is like loaning money–quickest way to lose a friend.”
“Years ago, I would lend tools, but later had to track them down when needed them. Now, I normally don’t loan a tool unless I go with it.”
“On the cattle ranch that I worked on as a youth, most of the men carried pocket knives attached to their belts by a short piece of cord. When a young fella wished to borrow a knife, it was offered. However, it remained attached to the jeans of the owner.”
And there were strategies on loaning tools:
“Since I never expect to get it back in one piece, I only loan tools if I have more than one of them.”
“Over the years, I have managed to upgrade, and that leaves me with some older tools I am willing to loan.”
“I am willing to share tools that i don’t care if I get back, but edge tools are off limits. It takes too much to get them working properly, and no one I know knows how to maintain them.”
“I will loan almost anything to someone who I know will bring it back quickly, not when it is convenient, unless it has a cutting edge. I don’t like getting chisels back that have been used to cut nails. People that know how to use cutting tools also know not to ask to borrow one.”
It was pointed out that woodworkers have a unique relationship with their tools:
“Mechanics don’t personalize tools like a woodworker. They appreciate a quality tool, but don’t see any beauty in it. I can’t imagine letting any one use that 3/4″ chisel that pares away shavings from a mortise so nicely, but I might let you use my 1/2″ drive ratchet; just make sure it goes back in the drawer and wipe the grease off.”
“Carpenter: Can you borrow my dog? Yes. Can you borrow my wife? Maybe. Can you borrow my tools? Never.
“Mechanic: Sure you can borrow our tools, but our mechanic goes with them at our regular rates.””Mechanic: Sure you can borrow our tools, but our mechanic goes with them at our regular rates.”
This is not to say that woodworkers are anti-social, but when it comes to tools…
“If a neighbor has need of a tool, I will invite them to my shop and perform the task for them rather than loaning the tool for their use.”
What are your thoughts on this? Add your comments below!