Berkeley Tool Lending Library - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

cmac2012 · #1 05-10-2006, 02:47 AM

I can only imagine the main reason some of the guys here try to rib me about Berkeley stems from their jealousy at not having a tool lending library in their hometown. If this is socialism, I like socialism. It doesn't hurt that it's about 5 blocks from my house. They have a huge selection -- portable table saws -- big Bosch demo hammers -- a cement mixer -- ladders -- wheelbarrows -- all manner of shovels -- drills -- where to stop?

Here's a complete list, with the fine schedule. You get the small items for 7 days, and the big, in demand, items for 3 days. Overdue fines range from $1 to $15.

Another link.

Not a big building, oh 15' by 40' maybe, right next to one of the neighborhood branch libraries:

Check this out: I happened to see the same bozo with his BMW "pickup" later at a lumber yard:

That's 3/4 treated ply -- one piece'll about break your back, the stuff is so wet.

A hard core free marketeer might say this is unfair to free enterprise rental yards, and I imagine they do lose some business to it. I've checked out the demo hammer plenty of times and I would have had to either rent or buy one otherwise. I only need it once or twice a year so it's hard to justify the $500 or so.

Still, private tool rental yards seem to do a brisk business here. The guys at the tool library counter are mostly former contractors with 'stove out' backs so they can be a wealth of good advice.

All in all, viva B - Town!

pxland · #2 05-10-2006, 07:23 AM

What a great resource to have.

I asked my library if I could borrow a tool and they threw me out.

John Doe · #3 05-10-2006, 10:43 AM

BMW looks to be in great shape, cmac. Love the color.

cmac2012 · #4 05-10-2006, 11:47 AM

Oh, thanks. I have to give 90% of the credit to the original owner. I bought it at 214K for $3400 (?!?). It was a bit below blue book, it ran great, and the guy had an inch thick stack of service records from a top local garage. I added some of it up later, and he'd put more than $6,000 into it in the last 3 years.

If you saw it from a few more angles, you'd see it could use a paint job.

#5 05-10-2006, 02:04 PM

I thought tool borrowing is what friends are for

cmac2012 · #6 05-10-2006, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MedMech

I thought tool borrowing is what friends are for

Well, they are. None of my friends have that kind of tool collection, though. I don't even mind paying the $15 dollar fine if'n I have to keep the demo hammer longer to finish the job. It'd cost me way more than that to rent it.

cmac2012 · #7 05-10-2006, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackE55

Cool idea. Wish they had one in Madison. Problem is that most hate the internal combustion engine, so we have a "red bike" program instead.

To quote the UW Campus Info. Center site:

"Budget Bicycle Center (at their 930 Regent St location) runs the Red Bikes Project. They loan out bikes for a $40 deposit for the bike and a $20 deposit for a lock. The user is responsible for the bike. When it is returned, the deposit is returned. If the key to the lock has been lost, there is a $5 charge."

I think the idea might be catching on. I did a web search and they have one up in the Phinney Ridge neighborhood in Seattle, one of my old stomping grounds.

Kuan · #8 05-10-2006, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MedMech

I thought tool borrowing is what friends are for

Yeah, hey neighbor, can I borrow your cement mixer?