Tips on getting some value out of my tool library membership

March 15, 2023 4:50 PM

I live in a city with a well-funded and very functional tool library--they have employees, regular and convenient hours, and a very nice online catalog and reservation system. I'm a fairly long term member and a donor, and I think tool libraries are great in theory, but there's about a 30% chance that I actually use my membership in any year I pay dues. Can you offer tips in getting more value for my membership?

Part of the problem is that I am already a Tool Owner both as a personality type and a practical fact. Until recently, if there was a choice between paying a person or business to do something for me or buying the tools to do it myself, I bought the tools about 90% of the time, even if it didn't save me much money.

As a result, I own a lot of the basics, and some of the not-so-basics. I've actually donated a lot of doubles and things I don't think I'll ever use again to the library. But this means I'm not using the library to meet needs like "a drill" or "a 10mm socket wrench" or "a caulk gun," which are all things I could likely get from them at any time. Instead, I'm looking for stuff like "a sausage gun" (it's like a high-volume caulk gun) or "a floor buffer" and in general it's not possible to borrow contractor-level stuff or things most people would otherwise pay money to rent--I wonder if it's a liability thing. So I still wind up going to Sunbelt or Home Deopt if I need, say, an insulation blower.

Additionally, even when there is something I need AND they own one, it's almost invariably booked up. Last summer I waited like eight weeks for a tamper to come up (and finally borrowed one from an acquaintance), and this year I've been putting off some yard maintenance due to wheelbarrow unavailability--they have two or three, but it's spring, so I assume everyone wants them. If I'd thought ahead to place a hold in January it's possible my number would have come up but I generally can't stick the timing (or think that far ahead). They have a giant pressure cooker I could see myself using but it's IN DEMAND during canning season.

I know this probably means I'm just not their target audience. And, honestly, I'm happy to simply make a donation every year and not be a super active borrower. But I wonder if there are other strategies I could be using to take advantage of their services. If you're a tool library member, how do you use it?

posted by pullayup to Home & Garden (9 answers total)

Could you flip it around and think of things that you can stack projects for, waiting for tool availability?

I'm also a tool user / owner of almost everything, but for me this would probably be things like a nice HVLP paint sprayer, a higher volume pressure washer than I already own, etc. I always have things that need to be painted and things that need to be washed, but it's rarely a rush. When you find the first thing that could use the tool, get on the waitlist and just stack projects until your number comes up?
posted by true at 5:28 PM on March 15, 2023

I would tend to agree that probably their target audience is people who don't have the skills or space to use higher level tools, or who want to see what using a tool is like before buying one. I'm not a tool person, but I sew, and my library has some great basic sewing machines to check out but doesn't have the need or space for something like an industrial serger, and that's fine!

I think your sweet spot may be the items that you need but which are seasonal and in-demand like the pressure cooker. Can you put a reminder on your calendar whenever the bookings for those items open up to remind you to book them for when you need them?
posted by The Elusive Architeuthis at 5:31 PM on March 15, 2023

I love my local tool library and have a lifetime membership. One thing I've been meaning to do is check out their workshop. Among other things, it has a big laser cutter that members can use. They also offer some classes that I'd love to take if only I had the time.

I get the most value out of my membership from tools that are either special-purpose (basin wrench, door handle jig) or I don't use very often (air compressor, nail gun, miter saw). I got rid of all my larger tools that meet those descriptions, although I still have a tool chest full of smaller ones. I still keep lots of common tools; I use my impact driver practically every weekend, and it would be annoying to have to make so many trips to the library for that.
posted by qxntpqbbbqxl at 5:40 PM on March 15, 2023

I belong to a makerspace, which is not quite the same thing, but I had a similar struggle for a while. Mostly I focus on craft projects which I can do at home with my own equipment.

In my case, I eventually realized that what I want is to be part of a community focused on making stuff. I just decided to commit to going in regularly, and then I started volunteering which forces me to go in because I'm on the schedule.

Honestly I don't get that much done when I'm there but that's not really the point. It's about talking to people and learning things.

So... what's the point for you?

If you want to support other people having access to tools, maybe volunteer to help run the org. Or, do they have classes that you could take or teach? A website where you can swap tips with other members? A way to show off finished projects?
posted by elizabot at 7:42 PM on March 15, 2023 [2 favorites]

How about starting by looking at their catalogue, figuring out which tools they have that you don't have, and coming up with a project you would enjoy using one of those tools, and then reserve the tool and do it?
posted by Jane the Brown at 7:53 PM on March 15, 2023 [1 favorite]

You might not have some of these:

Compound miter saw: small perfectly sized glue-up boxes for storing oddly shaped things; simple shelves; cat furniture; dog houses; plant stands; framework for mesh or plastic for protecting / starting plants; deck repair; stack short pieces and use one long piece to make a monitor stand and get more desk space; little stools to make life easier for shorter household members; cedar planters; pet dish stand (so dogs/cats don't have to bend down so much to eat); landscaping timbers; outdoor bench; picnic table; bird feeder; tree house

Add a router: shelves that look pretty; cutting boards; tables made from components purchased at big box hardware stores (they have legs, anchor bolt systems, and smaller tabletops)

Fancy laser level: can make wall-mounted shelves better

Add a biscuit joiner: tabletops and desktops in whatever size you want; attractive bookshelves; book stands; tablet stands

If your compound miter saw is suitable precise: picture frames

Sanders - belt sanders are fast but risky, other sanders will work: refinishing cool/cheap old furniture
posted by amtho at 8:21 PM on March 15, 2023 [1 favorite]

Also: tons of people _need_ more _good_ storage (i.e., not made from plastic or fabric, not awkwardly sized, not designed to be viewed alone on a photo set, but to integrate with a household). That could be really great.

Also: lots of people -- maybe including you -- need a power washer to get prepped for painting or staining.

Oh - if you decide to make large table/desk tops, you'll need some big clamps.
posted by amtho at 9:58 PM on March 15, 2023

Build a boat. No boat builder has enough C-clamps. Or, if you have a pregnant person in your circle, a boat cradle.

More seriously, maybe get involved with some else's project.

Your tamper and wheelbarrow stories suggest doing something out of season, like building raised garden beds in August or November.
posted by SemiSalt at 4:46 AM on March 16, 2023

Maybe don't worry about the value to you - for most donation situations we contribute to an organization because we believe in helping others. Your membership is occasionaly of direct value to you, but it enables the library to be valuable to many others and that's a good thing. Maybe seek to join their board or volunteer and offer advice on things to add to the library - perhaps identify things which are often overbooked and help them to add more so they're more easily available.
posted by TimHare at 9:11 AM on March 16, 2023