Welding is Back! New dates are listed!
Our welding classes are on a couple month hiatus, but we finally have some October/November dates on the books! Add a new skill to your handy repertoire - the art of fusing steel. Whether your railing breaks or you need to whip up a Burning Man car, you’ll be able to pop into the shop, pick up one of our welders, and get the job done.
The DTL wastes no time getting scary and weird. ‘twas October 1st when we had a volunteer / teacher / staff appreciation party complete with pizza, candy, and a whole lot of blood. Thanks to our volunteers, librarians, teachers, workshop monitors, and fearless leader @jessierodriguez.art - eyeballs were skewed, bones were melted, and deathly makeup by @jessicapolzin and @sarah.r0se.arts ran amok. For the rest of October, come by and marvel at the terrifying remnants our party left behind and pickup a scary rake or haunted air compressor to blow out your sprinklers.
Want to join our next party? Sign up to be a core volunteer! You’ll get cool perks like free/discounted DTL stuff and invites to hang with the coolest people in town. denvertoollibrary.org/volunteer
Tools 101. Next class is 9/26 @5:30pm. This class is super highly recommended if you are a member of the Denver Tool Library!
Learn how to safely use the Denver Tool Library’s most common power tools. Understand best practices and best uses for circular saws, jig saws, miter saws, reciprocating saws, angle grinders, multi-tools, compressors, different types of nailers, different types of routers, different types of drills, and different types of sanders. This class is a mix of hands-on practice and lecture. There will be some time for Q&A at the end. All skill levels are welcome.
Let's be real - we still accidentally use the Facebook post bar thinking it's the search bar, so when it comes to these new fangled social media platforms like TikTok, we are as clueless and "cringe" as they come.
The DTL is looking for someone who wants to volunteer their time swinging by the shop once per week to make fun, interesting, weird, and educational videos to feed the algorithms and help spread the gospel of super affordable tool sharing. You'll be compensated with a tool library membership, half off classes / open workshop hours, and free merch. There will be potential for this to become a paying job.
To apply, head on over to denvertoollibrary.org/jobs
Small Bookshelf Build Woodworking, taught by Sineah of @DenverDIYWorkshop. Next class is 9/17 @ 4pm.
In this woodworking class you will learn how to prepare wood and follow plans for a more precise project. Learn the skills to build something larger with our lending tools or in the workshop. This small bookshelf would be perfect for bathroom storage, to use as an altar, hang mugs by your coffee station or display your Colorado fossils. All skill levels are welcome from total beginner to advanced.
Students will take home a mini bookshelf, great for a night stand or small nook in their home, maybe even a table top (large) desk organizer. Students will utilize a variety of wood fasteners and come to understand their best use and practice. Students can paint the back of their shelves to create a one of a kind piece.
By the end of class, it is my intention you can demonstrate confidence in using the following tools: Miter Saw, Kreg Jig, Drill/ Impact Driver, Table Saw, Nail Gun and Orbital Sanders. You will get recommendations for natural stains, coats, or paints that you can use to protect your piece after you bring it home.
About the Teacher: Sineah has been teaching beginner woodworking classes at the Denver Tool Library since 2018. She grew up in Maine, constantly curious to do things independently. After moving to Denver in 2016, Sineah discovered the Tool Library and soon after began encouraging others to safely use tools and build things with their own hands. She started teaching friends in her own backyard until we opened up the workshop. She has taught stool/ plant stand, bookshelf, leaning shelf, cutting board workshops and more. Sineah will encourage you to creatively problem solve and by the end of class, will send you home with a project intended to impress your friends and yourself. Check out Sineah’s work at facebook.com/denverdiyworkshop or on Instagram @DenverDIYWorkshop
We know the first leaves have barely touched the ground, but at the DTL we already have the candles and Ouija Board out trying to figure out what our costumes are going to be. While it’s still too early to tell, we do know that this year’s special Halloween Fabric Block Printing Class is going to help us stand out amongst the rest of the goblins and fools.
On October 14th, 2023 we’ll be having a special Halloween edition of fabric block printing that will be extra spooky! 👻 Each student gets 1/2 yard of cotton fabric to print a repeating pattern on. In addition, all are welcome to bring other fabric items to print on as well that can be used to make an out of this world Halloween costume!! Cotton and synthetic fibers work well with our ink, nylon does not. Wearing costumes to class is also encouraged! 🎃
Tell your friend! We're looking for an experienced fundraiser to develop and lead our fall/winter fundraising initiative. If successful, we may be able to offer a more permanent position running seasonal fundraising events and online campaigns. For details - denvertoollibrary.org/jobs
This is what it looks like when Tool Librarians try to do their own fundraising. Credit @fuckjerry
Plumbing: Knowing Your Home. Next class: 9/12 5:30pm - 8:30pm.
*This plumbing class is part of our Knowing Your Home Series.
Two very common home plumbing complaints are dripping or leaking faucets and toilets that don’t fill properly or that don’t shut off. These problems can literally keep you awake at night. In addition, many people enjoy the quick and economical upgrade of a new kitchen faucet. With the right tools and understanding, you will tackle these upgrades and repairs easily.
In this class, we will look at faucets and toilets as systems with various parts performing different critical roles. We will dismantle and discuss the inner workings of various types of faucets, sinks, and toilets and develop a set of questions for quickly analyzing and identifying the real problem. At that point, you will be well on your way to fixing the problem yourself. The good news is that repair parts are often inexpensive and are readily available; you just need to determine what is needed.
After completing the class you will be able to:
Understand and repair nearly any faucet
Remove and replace existing faucets in kitchens and baths
Understand how shower control valves work
Adjust or replace toilet ballcock filler assemblies and toilet flapper assemblies
Remove an existing toilet and install a new one in its place including a new wax seal.
Let’s face it, everyone wants a golden squirrel using a table saw in an unsafe way on their shirt, but sadly for a while people couldn’t get their hands on this sweet piece of merch because we were all sold out. But alas! In a world of bad news, good news is finally here!
Squirrel shirts will be back this weekend in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Well actually, just one shape (t-shirt shape), but there will definitely be many sizes. What’s that you say? Why is there a squirrel on any of our are shirts anyway? Well, squirrels use tools to build stuff all the time! Sure, they may not be as famous as chimps and gorillas, but a gorilla with a power saw? Terrifying.
Did you know…
Squirrels can use leaves, twigs, moss, and other materials to build their nests, which are called dreys. They can also use natural or artificial cavities in trees or buildings as shelters. Some squirrels even use abandoned bird nests or squirrel boxes as their homes.
Squirrels can use rocks, sticks, shells, or other objects to crack open nuts, seeds, or bones. They can also use their teeth to gnaw on hard foods. Some squirrels have been observed using a leaf to wrap up a blob of peanut butter, to avoid getting the oil on their paws.
Squirrels can use their tails as tools for various purposes. They can use them as blankets, umbrellas, flags, or balance aids. They can also use them to communicate with other squirrels or predators.
Squirrels can use their paws as tools for digging, holding, manipulating, or grooming. They have sharp claws that help them grip and climb. They also have sensitive whiskers that help them sense their surroundings.
Pick up a golden squirrel shirt while picking up your tools this weekend - annoy your friends with squirrel tool facts - look good while doing it!
We have a new Saturday Open Shop Monitor! When I made James write us a bio he said “I don't like it, but I like trying to write it even less.” So without further ado, here’s a bit about James!
James Douglas is a woodworker with a machinists soul and a diversity of interests. He has been fabricating objects to suit those interests since taking a couple woodworking classes up at RRCC back in the mid 2000s. After years of winging it with a minimum of tools, the need to organize home and farm drove him to set up his own garage shop. From speaker stands to chicken coops, floating shelves to murphy beds; he's found a way to make it. Whether a hide-a-bed for 2 large dogs or an overland camper that fits behind the back seats of a subaru, he takes on challenges that grow his skills, and gladly shares knowledge, techniques and wisdom with others. @fiversfarm
Sign up for Shop Safety & Certification class, and then you can come by during our Open Workshop Hours and work on your own project. Don’t forget to compliment James on the great bio when you see him!
