am i selfish?

[doug webb]

I have always allowed family members to use my shop and tools. Now one has decided to go into the woodworking business building and selling " quickie" projects like plant stands and small wall shelves. He decided this since he had my tools and shop availabe to him. I am disabled and live on a limited income. It has taken more than ten years to accumulate the few tools I have. During Christmas he broke one of my clamps on one of his projects and laughed when i suggested he pay for it. I have never charge d him or other relatives for the material or supplies used in their various projects. I have absorbed the cost of the tools and their repair/replacement. His decision to go into business using my tools and shop was not discussed, but rather announced as fact...."this is what i am going to do". I told him that he would not be allowed to use my tools to do this and he was very surprised and seemed to think i was being selfish and unreasonable. He could not understand any wrong with his idea. My decision is firm but i welcome your opinions. thanks..doug

[Jeff Sudmeier]

I think that he needs to get a clue! Someone that would break another's tool and not replace it doesn't deserve to use your tools.

Run not walk away from him using your tools!

[Jim Becker]

I applaud your decision...it was the correct one for so many reasons including common sense, LIABILITY (both personal and financial as your insurance coverage might evaporate due to the business, even though it isn't yours), etc. Further, anyone going into business needs to account for the cost of going into business...including tools, space to work, materials, overhead and insurance. It's his responsiblity for ALL of that and more. Kudos to you.

Bottom line...you are NOT being selfish. You are looking out after both yourself and your family member in a loving way. IMHO.

[Mike Leone]

Absolutly not. Your more then generous letting family use your tools. Its one thing to use your tools its another to abuse them. How do you break a clamp?

[Steve Clardy]

Sounds like it's time to lock the doors.

[Dennis Peacock]

Folks like that don't deserve to be in anybody's shop.!!!! Good decision.

[tod evans]

ya done right!........02 tod

[Anthony Anderson]

You have done the right thing. When he laughed about breaking your clamp, he signed his own "eviction notice" from the shop. At least he could have shown some regret. Show him how to put a business plan together and/or go to the bank with him to apply for a small business loan, advise him in which tools to buy, and what not to buy. Be a mentor, not a bottomless pit generosity. He will appreciate it in the long run and you will most likely have no regrets. Assuming that this is something that you would want to do. Family members can definately use my shop, and tools, but have to pay for their owm material. Unless it is the parents then they pay double (just kidding, they get it for free). But I don't have that problem since they live too far away. Although you mention that, in the past you have paid for the repairs/replacement of tools they have broken. You must have one destructive family. No offense. But it is made clear, from the outset, that people must pay for the material used and any tools damaged before they use borrow a tool. Regards, Bill

[Dave Anderson NH]

Hi Doug, Your decision is not only reasonable, it is prudent. I'll go out on a limb here and make a harsh judgement about your relative. The kind of person who would laugh at a reasonable suggestion about replacing a tool he broke, tell you and others what he has decided without asking permission, and generally be that arrogant, is also the kind of relative who would sue you should he do something stupid in the shop and give himself a serious injury. I would generate a guess that this person does not either have many long time friends, or have the respect of those he has managed to retain. The polite name a person like this is a "taker". I wouldn't venture to give my completely unvarnished opinion since this is a family oriented forum.

My apologies for being so negative, but this type of behavior irks me to no end.

[Bill Grumbine]

Hi Doug

Good for you and for your decision! I do run a business, and while from time to time I invite people over to use my tools, or help them with a small project, if someone needs some serious time with the machines or shop, they pay. Period. My business is not a charity, nor is it a subsidy program for someone to make some quick money at my expense.

But I wouldn't even let this guy back in the shop if he promised to pay. There is too much that can go wrong, and with what you have already written about him, you would be the one left holding the bag, and not just for broken tools. Imagine if he or someone else got hurt, him from working in the shop or someone from something he made with your tools and wood. Guess who would be at fault? He sounds like he would have no problem blaming you. Stick by your guns!

Bill

[John Miliunas]

Doug, I think Dave A. covered it quite well and I wholeheartedly agree! Personally, if it were my shop, he wouldn't as much as see the inside of it, much less use it or any of the tools within!!! Oh, and this is coming from a guy who has pretty much written an open invite to any Creeker to visit his shop! Sometimes (often, I'm afraid), relatives are THE worst!

[Ted Shrader]

Doug -

That was absolutely the right thing to do. It seems to date you have been more than generous in sharing your tools and shop and I would encourage you to continue that policy to those who use it only occasionally and only for recreation.

Starting a business (even a side business) with your tools - what gall!

Good move on your part,
Ted

[Cecil Arnold]

Doug, the selfish individual in your story is not you. This person neither respects you or your property. Were he not a family member I would say distance yourself from him. Being that he is a family member I think you may need to explain to others that he is the cause for the shop lock out.

[Keith July]

The "business" will be short lived. No tools, no planning, no way.
Doug, stick to your guns you don't need this pain.
Good Luck
Keith

[Chris Gregory]

Doug,

Everybody has covered it quite well, it is very generous to let friends or family use your workspace and tools. This arrogant bugger seems to lack any appreciation and perhaps a broken clamp is the cheap way out of this situation. Good on ya!