Thread: My machinery needs a loving home...

Giving your machinery to unknown people for two years? Don't even think about it for another second. Put it all in storage and have peace of mind while away.
Otherwise there are all those possibilities of loss, damage, but more importantly, liability for injury.

Originally Posted by Wizened of Oz

Giving your machinery to unknown people for two years? Don't even think about it for another second. Put it all in storage and have peace of mind while away.
Otherwise there are all those possibilities of loss, damage, but more importantly, liability for injury.

I agree - particularly as you do not have to cover the storage cost.

Generous display of altruism but unfortunately a recipe for ill will unless you find a compatible person.

G'day Free storage compaired to what if something happens just think about replacement costs. But it is your choice.

My biggest worry would be liability. If you own the equipment and someone else is injured using it you could be up for some hefty legal costs and compensation.....not worth the risk IMHO.........unless you want to take out an expensive minimum $2 million public liability policy for third party use of the equipment.

I am a bit confused. If I lend my neighbor’s son a bike, he falls and hurts himself then I am responsible? Surely we can do better than that. Has anyone got a chisel I can borrow?


Generous offer Murray. Sign an agreement with the borrower.

Originally Posted by Wongo

...... Has anyone got a chisel I can borrow?.....

I can lend you a hammer?

Originally Posted by Wongo

I am a bit confused. If I lend my neighbor’s son a bike, he falls and hurts himself then I am responsible?.

you bet! In most cases, thankfully, it gets brushed over.....a grazed knee a bit of gravel rash, a few pardons and reasonable people move on.......

but cut a finger off on a burrowed table saw (one without a guard as in this case) and neighbourly love may no longer be extended. Personally I would not lend out machinery per se......especially without safety equipment installed.
Anyhow negligence on part of the lender would have to be proved and in most cases it would not go to court or thrown out but in meantime you've paid out heaps in legal costs I know been there and have a t-shirt to prove it.

Thanks for all of your replies. I guess I am a pretty idealistic person (many would call naive!) and I figured it would be nice to have it "all work out". I am a big believer in goodwill and karma and all that sort of stuff. I have traveled and seen a bit and reckon that most people in the world are good people and "do the right thing". (There's that naivety coming out!!!). These beliefs are reinforced by my experience as a teacher in primary schools where most kids are great kids and will grow up to be valuable members of society. [End of rant]

A lot of the equipment I got quite cheaply and the bandsaw was free so the least of my worries was damage to the equipment. My biggest worry was the liability side of things and that has been reinforced by your replies.

It is a pity that none of my mates are into woodworking. I have managed to offload my SCMS to the brother-in-law and just tonight another mate offered to take the drill press. I hope they get lots of use.

I am looking forward to getting lots more practice with hand tools up in the Torres Strait. My wife has already commissioned me to build a chicken coop and I am starting to research different types of joinery for bamboo. But it's going to be hard to tear me away from the boat and the fishing!

All the best and thanks again.

John