Sometimes I'm a butthead

[Step N. Mud]

I'm in my late 60s and maybe grumpy. Spent most of today working on my jeep project that involved getting under the jeep and fitting new custom made rock sliders and steps and had been welding and grinding steel in view with the overhead garage door open to the public semi busy street. My dirty hands were as you'd expect from handling steel and even wearing gloves at times. A brand new Ford F150 stops at my driveway and out comes a much younger man approaches me. He ask if I had a pipe wrench and if could he borrow it for a few minutes as he lives just around the corner, politely too. I must look like someone who has a pipe wrench. He was pretty courteous, so I stopped what I was doing and ask where he lived and assured me just around the corner, of with I'm familiar with. I just happened to remember where I'd last seen my 14" pipe wrench in the garage and handed the wrench to him while he was outside of the garage. He ask if I had a smaller wrench. Nope, that's the only one I have. I don't think I was the most pleasant person to talk to a stranger but realize we all need a little help occasionally. After my dinner and cleaned up a bit, I thought I could have been a bit more neighbor friendly to this man and sure enough, he returns the wrench within the hour. Not sure he will come back anymore to borrow tools though.

 

[Rudi]

Was he checking out your property? Just makes me wonder why you were the one he stopped to ask. My time in corrections made me a bit of a paranoid butthead.

 

[Step N. Mud]

I'm suspicious of any strangers stopping at my place and I always seem to be outside messing around and leaving the overhead garage door open when I'm outside. Have heard of unsavory folks casing homes/garages full of tools for future reference's to burglarize.

 

[doublesharp]

There has been 3 times in the last 10 years that I think my surly disposition around strangers has caused them to rethink their plans.

 

[kamloops67]

Ive been there myself a number of times , its easy to let the frustrations and deprivations take control and put a guy in an almost habitual bad mood
Have a beer while you work on your RELAXING HOBBY lol

 

[meaneyedcatz]

As long as you weren't obnoxious it should be good.

BUT AS OTHERS HAVE STATED, maybe he was checking out what he can borrow later. Without your permission.

 

[wood714]

Best $1,400 I've spent was on my garage door privacy screen door.

Slide 2 panels to the left to get my truck out, and the opposite to get my bike out. They make a power roll down version, but my garage roof was too low.

It lets light and a breeze in, and keeps bugs, snakes, critters, and wondering eyes out.

In this picture my steel garage door is open.

 

[4barrel]

45 years of owning a service -When someone I didn't know ask to borrow something I would say sure but you will need to leave a deposit until returned in the condition I loaned it in. Not many takers.

 

[alwslate]

If the young man has ever worked on any "projects" he probably fully
understood your attitude.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

I am am an unapologetic curmudgeon. My premises are to be entered on an "invitation only" basis unless you are selling Girl Scout Thin Mints. the occasionally brash salesman defies my clear signage (which does except those selling Thin Mints), but departs when asked "how much he is going to pay me for taking his garbage off his hands".

 

[mtgianni]

Living rural has it's advantages. I know my neighbors by sight and vehicles for a mile radius at least.

 

[ralph7]

Not sure he will come back anymore to borrow tools though.

And that's a good thing.

 

[Geronimo Jim]

I would like to see a photo of the Jeep you were working on!

 

[6518John]

Best $1,400 I've spent was on my garage door privacy screen door.

Slide 2 panels to the left to get my truck out, and the opposite to get my bike out. They make a power roll down version, but my garage roof was too low.

It lets light and a breeze in, and keeps bugs, snakes, critters, and wondering eyes out.

In this picture my steel garage door is open.

I have NEVER heard of such a product. What a great idea. Thank you so much for posting.

 

[wood714]

I have NEVER heard of such a product. What a great idea. Thank you so much for posting.

I think it's a Florida thing. I tried to get my folks one for their house in Ohio, and couldn't find a single company that made them.

Their house is kinda secluded as far as neighbors, but my mom hate all the leaves that blow in the garage.

They also make them with standard black screen that gives you a perfect view out, and lets a lot more air circulation, but they offer zero privacy. The only draw back to the white screen is it blocks 30% of the air flow, and you don't have a clear view outside.

Inside looking out.

 

[6518John]

What's crazy is a google search shows several local overhead door companies that stock them. Home Depot too. I guess I have either missed them, or thought it was a garage door, if I have ever laid eyes on one. I would use them all the time if I had installed. I am going to further research and let you know what I find out.

PS. I would look at you house and just think it was a garage door.

 

[Old Seabee]

Tool

Being in the repair business My Dad opened in 1946 he would answer

The only tool I will loan is the tomcat because he always brings it back .

 

[ralph7]

I think it's a Florida thing. I tried to get my folks one for their house in Ohio, and couldn't find a single company that made them.

Their house is kinda secluded as far as neighbors, but my mom hate all the leaves that blow in the garage.

They also make them with standard black screen that gives you a perfect view out, and lets a lot more air circulation, but they offer zero privacy. The only draw back to the white screen is it blocks 30% of the air flow, and you don't have a clear view outside.

Inside looking out.

Seen them here in Houston.

 

[Bajadoc]

I will always loan tools as long as the borrower leaves his truck and wife as collateral. No exceptions.

 

[Step N. Mud]

I would like to see a photo of the Jeep you were working on!

Here you go, Geronimo Jim.

A 1990 YJ 2.5L that I've been enjoying and tinkering with for the last three years.

Square head lights and low powered, just my style.