Community tool sharing for woodworking in the USA

Community tool sharing has become increasingly popular in the United States as a way to make woodworking and other specialized equipment more accessible and affordable. Tool libraries, tool sharing networks, and community workshops are some ways people can access woodworking tools without having to buy or store them individually.

​​Here are a few examples of community tool sharing initiatives in the USA:

1. Tool Libraries: Many cities and towns have tool libraries where members can borrow tools for woodworking, gardening, home repair, and other projects. Some well-known tool libraries include the West Philly Tool Library (Philadelphia, PA), the North Portland Tool Library (Portland, OR), and the Berkeley Tool Lending Library (Berkeley, CA). Search for a tool library near you by checking out websites like LocalTools.org or the American Library Association's Tool Library Directory.
   
   
   ​Community Workshops: In addition to maker spaces mentioned in the previous answer, some community centers, schools, or non-profit organizations offer public access to woodworking tools and equipment. These workshops may require a membership fee, a class registration, or a pay-per-use fee. Examples include The Woodworkers Club (Rockville, MD) and the Eliot School of Fine and Applied Arts (Boston, MA).
2. Online Tool Sharing Platforms: Websites like NeighborGoods and ToolzDo allow users to list, lend, and borrow tools within their communities. These platforms can help connect people who need woodworking tools with those who are willing to lend them.
3. Informal Tool Sharing Networks: In some neighborhoods, friends and neighbors may create informal tool sharing networks, lending and borrowing woodworking tools as needed. To start a tool sharing network in your community, consider organizing a meeting, creating a shared inventory list, or using a communication platform like a Facebook group or Nextdoor to facilitate tool sharing.

Community tool sharing initiatives can help promote a more sustainable and collaborative approach to woodworking by reducing the need for individual tool ownership and storage.

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