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Seattle has a few non profit tool libraries. Membership is $60/yr. Instead of buying a $200 bulky tool I use once every 5 years that I have to keep sharp and ma
by itake 1y ago
Seattle has a few non profit tool libraries. Membership is $60/yr. Instead of buying a $200 bulky tool I use once every 5 years that I have to keep sharp and maintain, I just go there.
For items that I use once per month, I still keep handy, b/c driving 20+ minutes is just not worth it.
Their tools are also in good condition and there are volunteers that maintain them. They also help with bike repairs too.
Specifically, I am a member here: https://seattlereconomy.org/ https://seattlereconomy.org/
- GouacheApp 1y agoThat’s awesome — Seattle’s tool libraries are a great example of how well this model can work. That kind of affordable access to well-maintained tools makes a huge difference. With Patio, we’re looking to support and expand that model, especially in areas without a local library, and provide tools to help existing ones grow and serve their communities even better.
- batch12 1y agoOff topic, but almost all of your recent comments feel AI generated to me. Maybe I'm reading into things, but the structure looks AI, lots of bangs and a whole lot of em dashes. They also don't match the style of your previous comments, last in 2022.
- GouacheApp 1y agoTotally fair to call that out, and I get why it might come across that way. But nope, not AI-generated. Just me trying to be clearer and a bit more structured lately. Sorry if it fell off.
- Freak_NL 1y agoThat thing where your every first sentence starts with a short statement followed by an em-dash and then continues? Stop that. That's what's really annoying people. Em-dashes as such are fine — really, you can use them if you want — but that gimmick isn't helping you.
- GouacheApp 1y agoSorry it bothers you and others.
- chrisweekly 1y agoFWIW it doesn't bother me at all.
- GouacheApp 1y agoGlad it did not bother everyone at least!
- fn-mote 1y agoThanks for explaining to the bystander why some of those comments are downvoted and even dead. Didn’t pick up on it.
- trollbridge 1y agoI’m noticing some people must read enough LLM output that they start to write and even speak like an LLM. I have an acquaintance who spends a great deal of time (hours a day) talking to an LLM, and now she speaks like an LLM does. I think she uses an LLM to generate her text messages, but the real life speech shows a transformation in actual thinking and speech patterns.
- dugmartin 1y agoOur local library is starting up a tool lending section. They also have "fix it" days every few months run by volunteers where you can show up with something to fix and the volunteers will work with you to fix it.
- GouacheApp 1y agoI really really love this "fix it" day — This is a very good idea and I'm sure this service is greatly appreciated!
- leetrout 1y agoVan Neistat comes to events and sets up a booth as a repair station and helps people fix things. You might enjoy his youtube content if you are interested in these sorts of things.
- GouacheApp 1y agoThanks, I'll take a look for sure! I'm already doing it for bicycle repair at schools and park but I had not thought about doing it for repairing other stuffs!
- subpixel 1y agoMy local library, which is privately funded, also has a tool lending program. It's amazing. It doesn't replace the need for me to own things I use all the time (mower, trimmer, drill, sander, circular saw) but it's perfect for once-in-a-while things like a power washer, a table saw, or an air compressor.
- GouacheApp 1y agoExactly! Tool libraries are super great and we're trying to fill the gap where they're not implemented yet but also willing to help existing ones to manage them!
- jer0me 1y agoThe Berkeley Public Library has a tool lending branch: https://www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org/locations/tool-lending-library https://www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org/locations/tool-lending...
- GouacheApp 1y agoThat's cool!
- burger_moon 1y agoThis is awesome. My partner runs events in Seattle and has talked about how there is a big need to do classes on teaching basic household handyman things but also her thing is turning events into social mixers for singles. I just think it’d be great to teach people how to hang a shelf or clean the filter in a mini split, fix a flat tire on a car, etc. All the stuff I have to regularly do for people now. I may sign up to do some instructor led classes. I love the idea of a tool library, I own more tools than I can use at this point. However I think if I could get paid a monthly service fee to list my tools I’d do it, otherwise the replacement costs for people misusing or losing the tools would make it not worth it. A single socket goes missing and suddenly it’s $30 to replace, wipes out the sharing incentive.
- GouacheApp 1y agoThanks and that sounds amazing, love the idea of mixing DIY classes with social events. We’re exploring ways to cover those kinds of risks, whether through small fees, deposits, or even shared insurance. You seems to truly love DIY and home improvements so if you had other ideas or you would to chat more about it, feel free to contact me at julien@patio.so!
- nothercastle 1y agoWhere would people even go to teach this kind of stuff? And do people even want to learn? I’m in Seattle and it might be fun. I don’t actually want to fix people’s tires,outlets,whatever for them but I’d be happy to Explain how and encourage good safety practices. I’m just cautious of people demanding free labor.
- GouacheApp 1y agoThere are a few tool libraries, community bike shops, and woodworking spaces that offer similar workshops, usually run by volunteers (and I guess some hackerspaces too). But I get you, it can be hard to discover and know when these are happening nearby.