Planned Obsolescence Isn't a Conspiracy - It's a Business Model

A perfectly good pressure washer has plastic internal gears that are known to break soon after the warranty expires. This isn’t a coincidence - this is how budget manufacturers engineer repeat purchases at the expense of the consumer and the environment. At a tool library, it’s more cost effective for us to buy quality tools that can be fixed again and again.

Instead of buying that bottom dollar big-box tool, use the Denver Tool Library's pro-grade tools for just $150/year.

Get a Membership

Tired of stuff breaking too soon? Follow @repairorg_official and @ecocycle_zerowaste to learn how you can take action against planned obsolescence.

Back from Hiatus! Woodturning III: Lidded Boxes

Woodturning III: Lidded Boxes is back from a bit of a break! First dates are Saturday, October 24th and Saturday, November 14th. October is already almost sold out, so sign up soon.

Take your turning skills to the next level by creating a lidded box. This workshop dives into the art of precision, teaching you the techniques to craft a beautiful hardwood box with a seamless, friction-fit lid. We'll guide you through advanced skills like hollowing end grain and creating a continuous grain match, transforming a simple block of wood into a functional work of art. You’ll leave with a stunning handmade piece that showcases a high level of craftsmanship. Join this supportive friendly workshop, expand your handy DIY skillset, and connect with a community of fellow makers!

Sign Up

New Mending Circle Date - Volunteers Wanted!

Our next Mending Circle will be Wednesday, August 12th 6pm to 8pm - but we are already at capacity because we’re short on volunteers!

Want to be a mending volunteer and pass on your skills? Reach out to amanda@denvertoollibrary.org ASAP.

Mending Circles are bi-monthly community events where anyone is welcome to meet and mingle while giving their damaged item a second life. Each event has volunteers ready to teach you the necessary techniques and practices so you can repair your one item during the event and in the future. We provide the sewing machines and basic supplies, so just bring your item and any specific patches you might want. No sewing experience required!

Learn More & Register for Free

New Dust Collector! Breathe Easy in the Workshop

Thanks to James, Ian, and Chris for installing our new @grizzlymachines G0977 HEPA Quiet Series dust collector - it’s a beast! Better dust collection means cleaner air for your lungs, and less sweeping for you and your shop monitor.

Want to work on your own woodworking project while this thing sucks up your dust? Check out our Open Shop Hours. You'll need to take our Woodworking I: Shop Safety Certification class, then buy a discounted punch card after class.

Share Your Skills at the DTL!

Are you working on a home improvement project you want to show off? Did you teach yourself something new? Do you know how to change your car’s oil, mend clothes, or build things and want to share that knowledge with other people?

Join us for grown-up show-and-tell! We’re looking for people to share a short demo or presentation (~10 minutes) at our next skill share on Wednesday, August 19th at 6:00pm.

We have such a talented community, and we love seeing your projects and getting inspired to try something new.

Please email hello@denvertoollibrary.org if you’re interested!

Closed 4th of July Weekend

Tool Library Lending & Open Shop Hours will be closed Saturday, July 4th & Sunday, July 5th for Fourth of July weekend.

Classes will still run as scheduled. Checkout times will be extended so you can keep your tools a few extra days (though we highly recommend taking the weekend off to wander the mountains or take a tube down a river.)

Tool Library Membership Math

A good miter saw costs $500. Then you gotta store it somewhere, sharpen it, and fix or replace it when it breaks. 

Or, spend $150 per year on a Denver Tool Library membership and borrow ours. When you’re done, bring it back and we store it, sharpen it, and fix it when it breaks.

Plus, you can borrow 5,000+ other tools.

Get a Membership

Help Yourself = Help Your Community

Get tools into the hands of underserved community members by helping yourself!

When you buy or gift a DTL membership, class, or workshop punch card, YOU are helping people in Denver afford tools via our financial assistance program.

As a non-profit, we take a chunk of our total revenue, gold memberships, and your donations and let them hang out at a big pool party called the Share the Tools Fund. This fund is distributed via financial assistance, and the quotes in these pictures are from actual recipients.

Want to throw even more bucks into the pool party? We have a rolling fundraiser through 2026 that you can donate to now.

Thanks for helping your community!❤️

Skill Share Recap! Jewelry, Veggies, n' Chickens

Thank you to everyone who attended our Skill Share last week, and a special thank-you to our amazing presenters, including DTL's own Sarah and Tucker!

We learned about fixing broken jewelry, making charms, starting a vegetable garden, and keeping chickens. One attendee was so inspired he came into the tool library the next day to get to work on his own community garden.

We haven't announced the next date yet, but we will host another one in August, so keep an eye out!

What’s a Skill Share?

Skill Shares are free community events where anyone is welcome to meet and mingle with fellow members and tool librarians and learn more about what projects they are working on. Each event features a few short presentations from community members sharing their projects, lessons learned, and inspiration, followed by time to chat and connect over non-alcoholic beverages. No tool experience required!

DTL Community Events