We’re throwing our second ever Repair Fair y’all! It will be Saturday, November 15th 2025 from 2pm to 6pm. Don’t forget to register for free before you attend.
Repair Fairs are free events where community members can bring broken everyday items, such as toasters, bicycles, pants, and more, for free repairs by local volunteer fixers. These fairs offer a chance to learn valuable repair skills, reduce waste, and connect with your neighbors. No repair experience is required as our volunteers will guide you through fixing the items you bring in (limit two items per person please!).
New Member Discount Partners!
Did you know that your Denver Tool Library membership gets you discounts around town? For just $150/year, borrow like a bazillion tools AND save on materials at local shops. Our latest partners are @perksreclaimed and @recreativedenver - tell them you’re a Tool Library member and get 10% off supplies for your next project!
Perks Reclaimed - 10% off
ReCreative Denver - 10% off
Austin Hardwoods - 10% off
Rockler Woodworking & Hardware - 10% off
Woodcraft Denver - 10% off
Perks Reclaimed is also hosting a special Open House on October 4th, and DTL members and newsletter subscribers can get 25% off that day!!
The Perks Reclaimed store and yard is stocked with a variety of reclaimed materials like lumber, cabinets, doors, appliances, flooring, and cargo planks, all sourced from deconstructed homes and businesses. When you mention reading about the event in this newsletter, you'll receive a 25% discount on everything in the store, with the exception of polyiso insulation boards and cargo planks, which will still be offered at a 10% discount. www.perksreclaimed.com
Brand New Class! Culinary Knives w/ Dan Briechle
*Apologies! There was a typo in the newsletter - there is no October 19th class.
We’ve got a brand new class - Culinary Knife Making with our new woodworking instructor Dan Briechle! The first class will be November 2nd, so sign up soon.
Create a professional quality chef's knife built to last a lifetime, whether for yourself or as a gift. In this hands-on artisan knife making workshop, you'll craft your own custom knife handle using a provided high-quality blade, starting from raw hardwood and working through each step with the care and precision of traditional knife-making techniques. You'll learn essential woodworking skills as you shape, sand, and finish the handle until it fits perfectly in your hand. Join this supportive beginner-friendly workshop, expand your handy DIY skillset, and connect with a community of fellow makers!
About Your Teacher: Dan Briechle is a Denver-based drum maker and educator. With over 20 years of experience in composite lamination and advanced woodworking, his instruments have been commissioned by artists including Bruno Mars, Silk Sonic, STS9, and Levon Helm. Beyond drum making, he brings 25 years of woodworking expertise in finishing, turning, joinery, cabinetry, and carpentry, reflecting a lifelong dedication to craftsmanship and mentorship.
Freeze is Coming! Blow Out Your Sprinklers
Did y’all know the first freeze in Denver is usually around October 7th?
Did y’all know that you should blow out your sprinkler system with an air compressor so they don’t freeze and explode??
Did y’all know that the Denver Tool Library has a whole bunch of air compressors and everything else you’ll need for this quick task???
For the cost of one air compressor, you can get a whole year of air compressors and 6,000+ other tools with a $150 Tool Library Annual Membership!
Psst… If you check one of these out, please bring them back as soon as you can so they next person can borrow it! They are super popular this time of year.
Picture Frames are Back! w/ New Instructor David Shih
Our Picture Frame Making class has returned, and it will be taught by our brand new woodworking instructor, David Shih! Dates are now live for October, November, and December. Sign up soon - this popular holiday gift class is expected to sell out.
About the Class: Learn to transform a rough piece of wood into a professionally crafted picture frame, ready to hang on your wall. This class covers the entire process, from milling lumber to final assembly, teaching you essential woodworking techniques along the way. You’ll leave with a beautiful, handmade frame perfect for your favorite art or as a thoughtful, custom gift. Join this supportive beginner-friendly workshop, expand your handy DIY skillset, and connect with a community of fellow makers!
What You’ll Make: A custom hardwood picture frame, designed to hold a standard 8" x 10" picture or piece of artwork, complete with acrylic panel, backing, and hanging hardware.
About Your Teacher: David Shih is a woodworking artisan who enjoys crafting pieces ranging from custom fine furniture to intricate inlays. He approaches each project with a deep appreciation for the natural beauty and intrinsic qualities of wood. You can follow his work at MoonRabbitWoodworker.com and on Instragram @MoonRabbit.Woodworker
Share The Tools Community Quotes
Did y'all know a percentage of all your tool library, class, open workshop hours, and gift bucks purchases go toward helping folks and orgs afford tools?
As a non-profit, a chunk of our total revenue, gold memberships, and your donations hangout at a big pool party called the Share the Tools Fund which gets distributed via financial assistance, and these quotes are from recipients.
Want to throw some extra bucks into the pool party? We have a rolling fundraiser through the 2025 that you can donate to now.
Thanks for helping your community!
Brand New Class! Knowing Your Sewing Machine
Y’all told us you want to bring in your own sewing machines, so we made a brand new class: Knowing Your Sewing Machine w/ Bri! Learn to sew on your machine and take home some cute quilted coasters for your fall hot toddies. The first date is October 1st, so sign up soon!
This hands-on workshop goes over the details of your specific machine so you can get comfortable with its knobs, dials, and threading paths. Bring your own machine to better understand its quirks, or use one of ours to practice machine setup essentials. You’ll learn what the settings mean, how to wind a bobbin, stitch a straight seam, and more. Join this supportive beginner-friendly workshop, expand your handy DIY skillset, and connect with a community of fellow makers!
First Repair Fair Recap!
Holy moly - our first Repair Fair on August 17th was SO much fun! Give the photos a scroll to see for yourself.
A ton of y'all showed up with your clothes, bicycles, appliances, jewelry, furniture and more. Many thanks to all of you who gave your beloved stuff a second life, and many thanks to our super handy volunteer fixers who kept that beloved stuff out of the landfill. Best of all, we served out the EXACT amount of hot dawgs we bought!
Impact
51 attendees brought their beloved but broken items.
20 fixer and support volunteers generously shared their time and skills.
About 60 items were fixed and given a second life
80 hot dawgs bought, 80 hot dawgs served
Some of the Fixes
A dining room chair from the 1960's
The pom on a winter hat
A guitar tuner
Many, many bike tires
A dress that needed to be altered
An oscillating tower fan
A (crushed) silver ring
Cloth diapers
A tent bag zipper
STORIES WE HEARD
“My bike needed a tube patched and a tire replaced. Cycling is one of my favorite ways to get around... This event helped me get back on my wheels for the first time in a while, and it feels great. Thank you!”
“My toaster was fixed and now I don't have burnt toast everyday! Libi was amazing and it feels great to know that I saved an item from the landfill.”
“My lampshade frame got soldered back together. I dropped it like 3 years ago... Really excited that it’s fixed and learned some new things about soldering as I watched it get repaired!”
“Tina helped me get started on replacing the liner of a leather bag that I was too scared to get moving on. Drew helped me discover how busted my lamp innards were and Liv taught me I need a lamp repair kit! It means the world that we’re practicing the art of repair together in a disposability-culture-infested world.”
More Than Just Fixin’ Things
These events are about more than simply fixing stuff - they aim to challenge consumer throwaway culture and encourage resourcefulness and reuse. They help share practical skills and build confidence so our neighbors can take on their own projects. We hope that Repair Fairs show that a community can come together to fix, build, and create the things they need.
What's Next? Get Involved!
Weren’t able to make our first event? Still have some broken stuff you don’t want to part with? Want to volunteer to help people fix and build things?
Keep an eye on our weekly newsletter and social media for the next Repair Fair date
Become a volunteer at the DTL - there are lots of ways to help, including repair fairs
Fix your own stuff via a super affordable Tool Library Membership, Classes, and Open Workshop Hours
Thanks so much all - we’re stoked to see you at the next one!
Volunteering for the DTL just got even easier!
Ever wanted to help your community, make cool friends, AND get DTL perks? Well thanks to Amanda our volunteer coordinator extraordinaire, it’s now even easier!
Go to denvertoollibrary.org/volunteer and read about all of our different sorts of volunteer opportunities.
Find a volunteer orientation date that works for you, click on it, and sign up.
Show up the day of your orientation and learn all about getting involved.
That’s it! It’s so easy! See you soon! ❤️
Closed Labor Day Weekend 8/30 & 8/31
The Tool Lending Library will be closed Sat, Aug 30th & Sun, Aug 31st 2025 for Labor Day Weekend!
Classes will still run as scheduled. Any tools due those days will be extended with no late fees so you can enjoy your tools a little longer.
