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!

1. Go to denvertoollibrary.org/volunteer and read about all of our different sorts of volunteer opportunities.

2. Find a volunteer orientation date that works for you, click on it, and sign up.

3. 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.

Repair Fair! Aug 17th @ 2pm. Free Registration

Huge Repair Fair update - we have cute stickers! Come get some during our first Repair Fair Sunday, August 17th from 2pm - 6pm. Free registration is open now.

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!).

To register to attend or volunteer, go to denvertoollibrary.org/repair-fair

We're Hiring! Woodworking Instructor

HIRING: Woodworking Instructor

Deadline to Apply: Sunday, August 24th, 2025

Job Summary: The Denver Tool Library is seeking a skilled and passionate woodworking instructor to teach our Picture Frame and Floating Shelf classes, and potentially more. This position offers good pay, flexible scheduling, and opportunities for growth. If you're enthusiastic about sharing your expertise with a community of makers, we'd love to hear from you!

*Do you already have enough job? Tell your friends!📣

Metalsmithing Classes are Back!

In addition to Liz of @covertmetals super popular Silver Stacking Rings class, we're excited to bring back metalsmithing classes that have been on hiatus! Make something cute for yourself or as a gift, learn a new skill, and make some new friends while you’re at it. Click the links below to sign up.

🏔️Mountain Pendants - Sunday, September 28th & Sunday, November 16th

🔗Silver Infinity Cuffs - Sunday, October 26th

🌈LGBTQ+ Couples Band Rings - Sunday, December 21st

🎄Copper Pine Tree Ornaments (holiday class) - Sunday, November 30th