Southeast Portland Tool Library

I just moved to Portland a few weeks back, and needed some tools for adding some fenders to our bikes. While I could have likely used my hack saw, I thought this would a good opportunity to check out this tool library. I had checked online to see if one existed, since I vaguely recalled hearing about this when a tool library in Reno opened.
In any case, I went online, checked out that I lived in a neighborhood that was eligible, filled out the online application, and got together my ID and proof of residency (some mail), and waited. I had to wait a few days since they’ve got some limited hours — Tuesday and Thursday evening, and Saturdays from 9 to 2.
I hopped on my bike Tuesday evening and headed on over. Riding down Harrison, I was thinking to myself — «Where is there going to be a library? This all looks super residential/​neighborhoody.» Then I saw the church (which appears to house a few non-​profits as well), and on the corner of the building, a sign for the tool library.
The hallways are super narrow to get back into the tool library, and it’s a small space — think like a reasonably well organized neighbor’s garage. There’s a small desk up front, and a super friendly volunteer helped me get signed in. I wandered back into the depths of the tool library and found some bolt cutters and a file and got checked out.
The place was a little busy — there were probably two or three other patrons checking out or perusing tools, and a little bit of a bottle neck at the checkout station.
The tool library is free for residents, but they do take donations. I ended up throwing some money in the jar. Even though I was only borrowing maybe $ 50 worth of tools, I wanted to vote with my wallet to support this kind of organization.
The real advantage for me isn’t the cost of the tools, but the fact that I don’t have to store them. Like when am I ever going to need bolt cutters again? Looking through the inventory (which is online) shows that there are some tools that would be total money savers — compressors, bike stands, jacks, truing stand, various power tools, etc).
Lending period is one week, which makes sense for a library designed to help people do household tasks.
While the hours aren’t super convenient, for a free community resource, the SEPTL is pretty rad.

TOOL TIME! A room with every tool you could ever hope to use. And everything is free. You don’t even have to know how to use it! No rulez yo. Go ahead and make that thing you’ve always wanted to make! Also note the exquisite brass bell upon entering the church.

Hipsters have finally found a reason for churches!

This is a great place to borrow tools. They have everything from gardening tools to woodworking tools (even a portable table saw). I just moved into a rental house and wanted to start a garden in the backyard. I borrowed a rototiller, metal rake, hoe and axe (to remove a stump) and in one weekend had a small garden plot in the backyard. And the best part is it was free and I don’t have to find a place to store a bunch of tools I probably won’t use til next year.
The tools are in good shape. They have some wear, but it’s no different then borrowing from a family member or friend.
I just borrowed a staple gun to reupholster a chair this week and am thinking about borrowing an edger next week for the front yard.
In short: Great tool selection, nice people!

Hey, you need tools but don’t feel like dropping dough on something you may only use once?
Guess what SE Portland: WE HAVE A LIBRARY FOR THAT.
Machetes, circular saws, big-​ass shovels, jigsaws, hand tools — you name it, they’ve got it.
Terribly convenient and run by the nicest people in the world. All you have to do it sign up for a check-​out card (just like a regular library) and you’re good to go.
Welcome to the community kingdom of DIY.

The cherry tree along the side of my house died, and a tree trimmer who’d been hired to work at my neighbor’s house offered to cut it down for $ 50, chop it into firewood lengths, and stack it under the eaves so I could take on my fall camping trip. Perfect, right? I left him $ 50 when I went to work, but unfortunately I came home to find huge, almost immovable pieces of tree trunk scattered in the driveway. And so my quest of an axe began.
All last summer, I went from friend to friend asking everyone, «Do you have an axe I can borrow?» In hindsight I realize this sounds a little creepy. I live in the city; I don’t have a fireplace; I only needed it for an hour. It’s not like I couldn’t afford one; I just didn’t see the point in buying something to use one time and then storing it indefinitely. Anyway, nobody I knew actually had an axe.
Finally, a friend from the neighborhood suggested I try the SE Portland Tool Library. She’d seen it mentioned in the Sunnyside news but hadn’t been there in person. Their website says, «Like the public library… but for tools.» Yep! The inventory was available online and it included several axes. Hooray! This was exactly what I needed to solve my log problem.
The library is open Saturdays until 2PM and Tuesday evenings. I went on a Saturday morning with my application (printed from the website) and utility bill as evidence that I live in SE. A volunteer checked my ID and I was given a small membership sticker with an Identifying number, and told I was welcome to browse until I found what I needed.
It was kind of like being turned loose in Grandpa’s garage, with rows of manual and electric home and garden tools (a sign says they do not stock any gas powered tools for liability reasons). I found quite a few axes, even more than were listed in the website inventory, and checked out two in different sizes. I took them back the following Tuesday, and happily made a donation.
The Tool Library has become very popular, with more than 2,000 members as of November, 2012. They recently announced that they have outgrown their current space, with over 1,200 tools to store, and are looking for a larger venue to lease. Check their website before you head over there. And volunteer if you have time in your schedule. This is the kind of sustainable community organization that deserves to thrive.

Free tools to borrow?!? How could you not Woo Hoo?
I only needed a drill and electric screwdriver. I’m not into home building or crafty stuff. Just needed to babyproof the house. Wow, this is awesome. For a Stay at home mom, this is perfect. For you home renovation buff, who knows, maybe not 5 stars for you but how can you not like the idea?
They depend on donations of tools and cash. I’m willing to donate so I can access tools and not store them at my house. When will I need a drill except once every 10 years?

This is the third Tool Libray in Portland and this one opened with a lot of help from the NE branch.
There are over 500 tools available for check out. I volunteer there at least once a month and always have a blast meeting all the people in my neigborhood who come in and leave happy with this free community created service.
There are not as many workshops or as much advice as I would like, but they are always welcoming to new ideas, members, and volunteers. The space is small and overflowing with the generosity of the people who come in to donate tools. They have everything from bike repair kits and stands to press drills and roto hammers!

For all of those who have been waiting oh so long:
This tool library is slated to open in May of this year.
It will be conveniently situated in the middle of the Division/​Hawthorne neighborhood in the St. David of Wales Episcopal Church.
I left to attend my first meeting there last wk wanting to help out/​volunteer and whilst changing out of my tight pants for a hippie tool sharing pair, left the address at home.
Biking around I approached all of the apparently wrong churches looking for a sign, even the sound of a power drill to let me know that I was in the right place.
Needless to say I never did find it but they will be putting a sign up shortly, possibly with said tools?
Meetings are being held right now so really this place is going to be what the neighborhood makes of it, and for future reviewing pleasures.
Oh the tools I will play with, the things I will make, the mistakes I will pawn off on unsuspecting free boxers (: