A question right back might help to keep everyone honest. "Do you want to borrow it temporarily, or permanently?"

Mostly that one is just for a chuckle with friends who are going to have it back in a few minutes, but I negleted asking that a few weeks ago, and I'm still waiting. Nothing dishonest, just a space cadet.

I'm very careful about returning things quickly and tend to think everyone else is like me. Turns out there is a lot of variety.

is this in a bike shop, or just among friends?
at the bike shop, we require a copy of your photo ID, a phone number, and a $20 deposit that's refunded when we get the tool back.

How about asking for it back.

At work, it's unrealistic for me to constantly be (un)locking my box. It remains unlocked. The rule is:

If you need the correct tool to do the job right, and, know how to use it, ask me. I won't say no or deprive you of the opportunity to do a quality job. I will place the tool in your hand. Or, if away from my box tell you which drawer it is in.

If you don't know how to use it, tell me. I'll give you a quick lesson. Or, assist by doing it myself.

When you're done, place the tool back in my hand. Not in the box, or someplace else.

BUT, don't ever,.........ever,.......ever,.....let me find one of my tools (which are all marked) in someones hand without permission or laying about somewhere. They will be insulted, ridiculed and made to feel like the worthless slime that they are. I make no apologies to them, management or anyone around at the time, for this abusive treatment. It is what they deserve. They have earned it.

My box has remained unlocked in some fairly questionable work environments. It's seems that to a point, the worse the crowd "might be", the more appreciative and responsive they are to my approach. I say to a point, because, I do use caution and have found myself in situations where my tools would have "gone missing" if I wasn't defending them. My approach only works were there is some ongoing relationship from which the recipients are going to benefit. If you're in a hostile environment, removing manufacturing machinery from a facility that is destined to be closed, don't take anything with you that you aren't prepared to loose.

Well, I'm not in a shop, I just have my own tools at my house workshop. I think I'd say someone could come over and use the tool in my workshop...unless I didn't know them that well or thought they were sketchy...or just say that I don't lend out tools outside my workshop because, in the past, they tend to walk or not be there when I need them. I had this happen before, so it isn't a lie. People who know you and are friends with you will get it - maybe even welcome the chance to stop by and hang out for a bit. People who don't know you or are otherwise sketchy might get miffed or indignant, but I'm not going to worry about that. This does require you feel comfortable saying no, in some form (which a lot of people aren't). There are some things you shouldn't ask people, anyway, too soon in knowing them...this, helping someone move, rides to/from the airport, and I'm sure there are others. People who casually push these boundaries tend to take far more than they give.

No speak English!

=8-)

"Hey,that lool I loaned you? Turns out I need to use it -- can you bring it back TODAY? Thanks." Their inconvenience is not your problem at this point.

If there's hemming and hawing, tell them, "Huh, well I guess you owe me $[retail cost of the tool] next time we catch up -- thanks for leaving me hanging, brah."

Point being: no good deed goes unpunished. When others ask why you don't lend out tools anymore, be sure to name-drop the culprit.

I say ok, but mention the local cemetary that has residents that didnt return my tools.

It depends on the "tool".

It depends, upon whom is asking and what the tool is. Bikes are a high-priority hobby. I'd hate to be stuck not able to complete a repair because I loaned, say, my hanger alignment gauge. So I might ask that a bike-specific tool be borrowed on-premise, at my home. OTOH, I would probably hand over any of my non-biking tools -- power tools, saws, lawn mower, pipe wrenches, snowblower, whatever -- without a second thought.

Now that i think about it: I guard my work tools, because they earn the bread. I guard my hobby tools, because they provide the relaxation I need. And all the rest I'm pretty open with.

This doesn't answer the OP's question, but my boss @ work was just telling me that he let his BIL "borrow" his $400 roto-tiller a few years ago. He needed it back because he's been doing yard work. His BIL basically told him it's now in 'pretty rough' condition. It's completely rusted, doesn't run, and is full of holes and dents. Looks like it's been beat with a hammer and rolled down a hill.

Just remember that most people don't value your stuff nearly as much as they value their own.

If you can't afford to, or are not prepared to give it away, don't lend it out.

@Home, nobody asks, for my day at the shop,
there is a bucket of tools for using outside the door.
seen lanyards attached to the borrowed tools to keep them from walking off.
tool leash law ... in big city shops..

It's no sweat for me... only one family member is bike savvy (my brother in law who lives next door), and often he'll borrow a tool without asking and I won't even know until he told me he did! (Because he takes it, uses it, and puts it back exactly where he found it!!!!!!!!!!!). So that ones no problem, I only have 2 local friends competent to work on their own bikes... and in order for them to "borrow" a tool, they have to come over... and it's enough distance that usually they simply drive and bring their bikes... they ask for a tool, I dig it up, they use it, or I show them how to use it, and they give it back. Anyone else who happens to touch my tools, it's 99% of the time while being taught to do a process on a bike... that's when most of the time they don't get handed back to me or sorted, but I keep a bench by the process for that stuff and tell them just to lay anything on it and let me clean up at the end, rather then risk them screwing up my organization or lack there of.

no

Your a doctor?,Can I come and borrow your tools?

Sorry,no borrowing tools,I need them,that's why I have them.If you want to pay me,I'll use them.

If I catch you in my toolboxes without my permission,your going to be thinking about in the hospital.

+100000000000000000000000000000

I have a "loaner" toolbox. It started out with a set of SAE and metric combination wrenches and sockets. Plus assorted pliers and screwdrivers. Now it has one 14mm combo wrench, a broken pair of slip joint pliers, and a 4 in 1 screwdriver. When people ask, I point them at that toolbox. A few weeks ago the neighbor lady asked to borrow a screwdriver (her lucky day). She brought it back the next day with a plate of cupcakes.

Years ago, when I was breaking in as a stagehand, a grand old man served me as a wonderful mentor. I was often borrowing his tools, and the 2nd time I asked for the same tool, he passed it to me and said "Need one of these?" I said "Yes, thank you." He replied "Buy one." I did. I try to follow his example.

Honestly, it depends on the tool.

Pump? Have at it.
Allen key? Here you go.
Pedal Wrench? Maybe I should just do it for you real quick... where's the bike?
Cone wrench? Have you used a cone wrench before?
Headset cup press? We charge $30 to install a new headset and are currently scheduling for wednesday pickup.

Back in the 90s I was working as an engineer in Virginia (at a non-bike related company). Some customer was on site to receive a demo of the system he was considering purchasing, and something or the other wasn't working right. I was called on scene to help diagnose the issue, and it became apparent that we'd need to start disassembling and replacing some parts.

The only tools needed to open these things were nut drivers and screwdrivers, so I grabbed one from Tom's desk which was three steps away from where we were standing. Tom returned from wherever he was (coffee break or something) and immediately deduced that somebody had borrowed his tools, which started the scariest rant I've ever been witness to.

I mentioned that I had his tools right here, just need to diagnose this system, etc., but Tom was in full-on scream and curse mode. To me, that would have been ok... Except that we had the VP of sales, VP of engineering, and the customer standing right there as well. Not so ok. Tom got fired basically on the spot. One of the most uncomfortable situations I've ever been in.

1. No. I do not loan tools.

2. I have offered to come over with the tool, and assist with the work. And I have offered: "come on by, I'll help you with that job."

But I am talking personal tools (I own) and a home workshop, not a place of business.

3. In a work environment, totally different scenario, that Tom sounds like a POW.