Loaner Harley Tools
Thread Starter
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3rd Gear
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 7
Likes: 4
From: Virginia
I guess it would be up to the individual that is loaning the tool. Yeah, there is some effort incurred to box up the tool and take it to the carrier but, that is the same at both ends. The idea is to make it easy and inexpensive to borrow a tool. I personally wouldn't be concerned about charging a "handling fee" to drop it off on my way home from work but, again, it depends on the individual that is loaning the tool.
The person needing to borrow the tool could choose whether to deal with someone based on a number of details: Cost of deposit, cost of shipping, handling fee / rental fee or not, location of tool available ( which could affect shipping costs ).
Maybe it will work, maybe not.
The person needing to borrow the tool could choose whether to deal with someone based on a number of details: Cost of deposit, cost of shipping, handling fee / rental fee or not, location of tool available ( which could affect shipping costs ).
Maybe it will work, maybe not.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 2,052
Likes: 1,487
From: Black Hills of SD
USPS does free pick up at your door or mailbox. Their discounted mail [ escapes me tight now what it's called] they came up with is actually pretty reasonable. Priority has been pretty pricy.
But the tools could sure be some big savings over buy them and using once. I'm a tool guy so I usually buy what I need figuring if I used it once and it saved my $$$$'s then it was part of the cost.
Then if I ever use it again - Bonus. But there are some specialty tools that can get pretty expensive = Barrow would be great.
But the tools could sure be some big savings over buy them and using once. I'm a tool guy so I usually buy what I need figuring if I used it once and it saved my $$$$'s then it was part of the cost.
Then if I ever use it again - Bonus. But there are some specialty tools that can get pretty expensive = Barrow would be great.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,033
Likes: 988
From: Ohio
Most of the time the tool is free when you do the work yourself. Meaning you saved the labor and now own the tool or tools. I have a complete full top and bottom tool box for my HD special tools. And have some on shelves that don't fit in the tool boxes. I never regretted buying any of them. In fact they've made me money.
I've been wrenching on my own sleds since being gifted my first one ( a basket case ) by my brother in 1976. Wrenching on newer models though, as you know, requires "special tools" that, like everything else for a Harley-Davidson, comes with a hefty price tag for your trouble. Then I had this idea and wanted to throw it out here to see if it would get any traction as a resource to people like me who want to do their own wrenching but don't want to buy a $300 - $500 tool that they will use one time. The alternative being, taking it to a shop that has the tools.
Listen, I've got nothing against any reputable shop. That's what they do and there's plenty of biz for people who aren't interested in wrenching on their sleds. Ive got a shelf full of Jims Tools for earlier Twin Cams ( 2000 - 2005 ) to start this off. I now need tooling for 2006 and later ( specifically for the 6-speed trans ) that I would really rather not have to buy but, if this experiment doesn't work then my choices are to: 1. Buy the tools ( $$$ ), 2. Take it to a shop that has the tools ( $$$$ ) or, 3. Don't do the transmission work at all.
So here's my idea. Feel free to suggest changes but keep it on topic please. This is intended to help everyone who may have the same need.
Tools are being LOANED, not "rented".
Borrower pays trackable shipping both ways.
Borrower pays refundable replacement cost deposit.
Once tool is returned complete and undamaged, deposit is refunded to Borrower.
If the Borrower doesn't return the tool, loses it, breaks it or makes it unusable, the owner has the deposit to replace what is broken / missing / damaged and the remaining balance of the deposit is refunded.
Im sure that there would also be a way to barter or trade somehow here too ( tool - tool, tool - part, tool -service... )
Thoughts anyone?
Listen, I've got nothing against any reputable shop. That's what they do and there's plenty of biz for people who aren't interested in wrenching on their sleds. Ive got a shelf full of Jims Tools for earlier Twin Cams ( 2000 - 2005 ) to start this off. I now need tooling for 2006 and later ( specifically for the 6-speed trans ) that I would really rather not have to buy but, if this experiment doesn't work then my choices are to: 1. Buy the tools ( $$$ ), 2. Take it to a shop that has the tools ( $$$$ ) or, 3. Don't do the transmission work at all.
So here's my idea. Feel free to suggest changes but keep it on topic please. This is intended to help everyone who may have the same need.
Tools are being LOANED, not "rented".
Borrower pays trackable shipping both ways.
Borrower pays refundable replacement cost deposit.
Once tool is returned complete and undamaged, deposit is refunded to Borrower.
If the Borrower doesn't return the tool, loses it, breaks it or makes it unusable, the owner has the deposit to replace what is broken / missing / damaged and the remaining balance of the deposit is refunded.
Im sure that there would also be a way to barter or trade somehow here too ( tool - tool, tool - part, tool -service... )
Thoughts anyone?
Last edited by Ed Ramberger; May 1, 2026 at 03:41 PM.
Club Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 11,586
Likes: 8,411
From: Inland NW
Most of the time the tool is free when you do the work yourself. Meaning you saved the labor and now own the tool or tools. I have a complete full top and bottom tool box for my HD special tools. And have some on shelves that don't fit in the tool boxes. I never regretted buying any of them. In fact they've made me money.
I have seen this theory on a few forums, now. AR15s, Diesels, Harleys...no different. People you did not even know were on the forum start talking, and ideas are getting enhanced for the tool sub-forum.
The guys that own the tools are all wondering if karma is the only reason they would be considering participation
Seriously, I hope that you can pull something together, but the guys that have the tools are in for the initial work and possibly the risk, and the guys that want to borrow may not want to lay down a deposit vs. just buying it, and selling it here later for a discount.
Last edited by NorthWestern; May 1, 2026 at 03:45 PM.
Thread Starter
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3rd Gear
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 7
Likes: 4
From: Virginia
If you paid $500 for a tool and loaned it to someone with a $500 deposit plus shipping and they use the tool and return it, what have you lost? If they don't return the tool or break it, you have their deposit to buy a new one so, again, what have you lost?
I've been a dealership diesel tech for over 25 years and have tens of thousands of dollars worth of tools and another box full of personal / Harley -Jim's tools at home. I've never had a problem lending tools to someone. Give me $100 to borrow a wrench or two and I'll give it back to you when you bring the tools back. They always come back and sometimes they pay me because they were stuck and helping them cost me nothing.
If you or anyone else don't want to lend your tools, that's ok too but, everybody that knows how to do the work and has the tools, learned and had help from someone else. There are still some people that are willing to share the knowledge and lend a tool though.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 3,323
Likes: 2,114
From: Masshole
Not a chance I would ever lend a tool to a stranger. Heck, barely to even close friends. I'd be the first to go help them with their project with said tools tho. I have a lot invested in them and treat them as such. What happens when said tool is "loaned out" and I need it for an unplanned repair or to help a buddy that's broken down. What happens when they mis-use them and you don't catch that they buggered a thread on a puller and someone else roaches their cases because on that thread. Nope, count me out, not happening.
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Road Master
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,033
Likes: 988
From: Ohio
And who will pay for the tool if UPS or USPS looses the tool? So someone has to pay insurance in both directions. A heavy tool may costs a minimum $25 x 2 for both directions of shipping, tool cost is say $350, insurance maybe $10 each way. So the guy renting the tool is out of pocket $420 and gets $350 back once the tool is returned.
If I'm borrowing the tool, I need assurance I get a refund, so that means it has to go through say Paypal invoicing with the proper details on the invoice as proof of the deal. This quickly is getting towards a business model. To the guy that has the tool, it's work and maybe issues if the guy wants to keep the tool a month.
No upside to the tool owner. He didn't even get a rental fee.
If I'm borrowing the tool, I need assurance I get a refund, so that means it has to go through say Paypal invoicing with the proper details on the invoice as proof of the deal. This quickly is getting towards a business model. To the guy that has the tool, it's work and maybe issues if the guy wants to keep the tool a month.
No upside to the tool owner. He didn't even get a rental fee.
Last edited by Ohio HD; May 2, 2026 at 02:23 PM.