Do you have access to a tool library?

[Cinder]

So, after replying to Freddy and his question about static grass applicators I got to wondering...

Here in Aotearoa I am lucky enough to have access to a local tool library operating out of a local government building twice a week, staffed by the library members on a roster and with very low membership fees - $20 NZD for 6 months / $30 NZD for 12 months. For reference a Big Mac is about $8 NZD if I remember rightly (I don't eat that %$!@#$).   

This has given me access to soldering irons, circular saws, jig saws, dremels, sanders, power drills, specialist bits and also advice and expertise. Strangely one of the most popular tools is the wet & dry vacuum which always has a long list of reservations 

When compared to the price of buying some of this equipment which you may only use a handful of times per year its probably the best investment in the hobby I have ever made.

So the question is, do you have access to this sort of thing in your part of the world?
And do you know if there are any which specialize in supporting hobbyists / gamers / crafters?

And wishing a Happy New Year to all you Lead Adventurers.

[snitcythedog]

In the US and UK there are places to hire tools.  The library concept is an interesting solution. 

[infelix]

We don't have anything like that around where I live and I've haven't heard of anything like it anywhere but I would love to have a place like that here, it sounds pretty amazing tbh.

[Daeothar]

We have places like Boels here in the Netherlands where one can rent just about every tool imaginable. From screwdrivers to excavators, you name it.

But the fees are such that most of the time you're better off buying a cheap tool instead of renting a professional one, if you're using it for more than a day or two.

Which is why I have a very extensive collection of tools in my garage. Which many friends and familiy members know of, so in essence I'm the library, as they've borrowed quite a few tools over the years... 

Seriously though; I really like the idea of a tool library. I don't think anything like that exists over here. Then again; I haven't really looked either...

[martinjpayne]

We've got a new local Repair Cafe in Portsmouth's main high street shopping arcade which has a "Library of Things" where you can borrow tools and household stuff for a small donation.
https://shareportsmouth.org.uk/borrow/

[carlos marighela]

I suspect it's an Antipodean thing, they have them here in Melbourne, in fact there's a couple within about a 15 minute drive from me.

TBH never thought of joining one. Spose it might be a good option to get hold of a router to do some street layouts.

There's also a phenomenon here called Men's Shed Movement where lonely blokes get together to do blokey stuff like woodwork and soldering old electronics etc.

[Cory]

Where I am in the US we have a long time non-profit with an extensive tool library that started as a gardening collective as well as a small selection from the public library as part of its "library of things" and maker space programs.

[Burgundavia]

We've got one here in Victoria (Canada), never thought of them as a place for rent hobby tools - should talk to them about such donations