On Mon, 5 May 2008 04:44:20 -0600, "Bob"
wrote:

:There was an article in Saturday's paper about our local library
:considering lending tools as well as books. It mentioned such
:things as cement mixers, saws, etc.
:
:At first, I thought it was an interesting idea, but on second
:thought I imagined how those tools could, and probably would, be
:abused by people who don't know how to use them or care for them, or
:just don't care.
:
:For example:
:"I didn't know you weren't supposed to cut tile with a skill saw".
:"I didn't realize there were nails in that old 2 X 4 - but the saw
:cut them pretty good".
:"Rain wasn't forecast, so I thought it would be okay to leave the
:miter saw outside since I was going to use it in the morning".
:"I thought I'd washed the concrete mixer pretty good - guess not".
:Etc - etc.
:
:Then there is the liability problem:
:"Your Honor, nobody showed me how to use that router well enough,
:and that's how I lost a finger, and why I am suing the city".
:
:The article said there are other libraries that loan tools. Is
:anyone aware of this practice and how it works in reality?
:
:Just curious - Bob-tx
:
We've had a TLL in our town for many years and I occasionally use it.
It's less than a 2 minute bike ride from my house. I've never had a
problem with it, to be honest. The tools have always worked. There are
always two guys there and they are always friendly, if at times a little
harried.

They don't have everything. After many years they are aware of what
tools are worth having on hand and which ones aren't. Sometimes you have
to buy your own bit or blade, and that's just the way things go. Some
tools sort or require that. That's only happened to me one or two times.

There are certain tools that you are only apt to need once and never
again. For that a TLL is perfect.

Plus the guys behind the counter are knowledgable and many many times
I've bounced an idea off them and they've had a terrific response,
something I didn't know or wouldn't have thought of. It's great karma,
really. Try to bring the tool back in as good a condition as you found
it.

Dan