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Show HN: Patio – Rent tools, learn DIY, reduce waste

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Re: Show HN: Patio – Rent tools, learn DIY, reduce waste

#141

Post by GouacheApp »

gazook89 wrote: post #140
keerthiko wrote: post #112

I used to live in Berkeley, CA circa 2013. They had a tool library, which was part of the local public library system, and tools were free (!) to rent. I miss it everyday, as it was a godsend for broke new grads who still wanted to do some quick but heavyduty DIY. I now live in NYC, and my local Home Depot rents out power tools for $20-30/day. The typical tool would pay for itself in 2 days at these rates, but it's s…

Minneapolis/St Paul has at least one tool library (with multiple locations). MN Tool Library. Mentioning it in case someone in this thread is interested and lives nearby. Worth it, especially if you know have projects coming up. Lots of tools, indoor and outdoor, and some space for using the tools at their space , and lots of know-how from the staff/volunteers. Edit: in the same vein, Minneapolis also has a Toy Libra…

Thanks for taking time to share it!

Re: Show HN: Patio – Rent tools, learn DIY, reduce waste

#142

Post by jzelinskie »

keerthiko wrote: post #112

I used to live in Berkeley, CA circa 2013. They had a tool library, which was part of the local public library system, and tools were free (!) to rent. I miss it everyday, as it was a godsend for broke new grads who still wanted to do some quick but heavyduty DIY. I now live in NYC, and my local Home Depot rents out power tools for $20-30/day. The typical tool would pay for itself in 2 days at these rates, but it's s…

The Brooklyn Public Library in Green Point has a tool library, although it isn't very large if that's close to you at all. I'm not sure if it's available at any other library locations but the one in Green Point is fairly new and has great programming.

Re: Show HN: Patio – Rent tools, learn DIY, reduce waste

#143

Post by GouacheApp »

jzelinskie wrote: post #142
keerthiko wrote: post #112

I used to live in Berkeley, CA circa 2013. They had a tool library, which was part of the local public library system, and tools were free (!) to rent. I miss it everyday, as it was a godsend for broke new grads who still wanted to do some quick but heavyduty DIY. I now live in NYC, and my local Home Depot rents out power tools for $20-30/day. The typical tool would pay for itself in 2 days at these rates, but it's s…

The Brooklyn Public Library in Green Point has a tool library, although it isn't very large if that's close to you at all. I'm not sure if it's available at any other library locations but the one in Green Point is fairly new and has great programming.

Thanks for sharing this! I think we'll add a list of existing tool library so it will be easier to find the ones near you.

Re: Show HN: Patio – Rent tools, learn DIY, reduce waste

#145

Post by trollbridge »

batch12 wrote: post #76
GouacheApp wrote: post #66

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That’s awesome — Seattle’s tool libraries are a great example of how well this model can work. That kind of affordable access to well-maintained tools makes a huge difference. With Patio, we’re looking to support and expand that model, especially in areas without a local library, and provide tools to help existing ones grow and serve their communities even better.

Off topic, but almost all of your recent comments feel AI generated to me. Maybe I'm reading into things, but the structure looks AI, lots of bangs and a whole lot of em dashes. They also don't match the style of your previous comments, last in 2022.

I’m noticing some people must read enough LLM output that they start to write and even speak like an LLM. I have an acquaintance who spends a great deal of time (hours a day) talking to an LLM, and now she speaks like an LLM does. I think she uses an LLM to generate her text messages, but the real life speech shows a transformation in actual thinking and speech patterns.

Re: Show HN: Patio – Rent tools, learn DIY, reduce waste

#146

Post by nothercastle »

burger_moon wrote: post #109
itake wrote: post #63

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Seattle has a few non profit tool libraries. Membership is $60/yr. Instead of buying a $200 bulky tool I use once every 5 years that I have to keep sharp and maintain, I just go there. For items that I use once per month, I still keep handy, b/c driving 20+ minutes is just not worth it. Their tools are also in good condition and there are volunteers that maintain them. They also help with bike repairs too. Specifical…

This is awesome. My partner runs events in Seattle and has talked about how there is a big need to do classes on teaching basic household handyman things but also her thing is turning events into social mixers for singles. I just think it’d be great to teach people how to hang a shelf or clean the filter in a mini split, fix a flat tire on a car, etc. All the stuff I have to regularly do for people now. I may sign up…

Where would people even go to teach this kind of stuff? And do people even want to learn? I’m in Seattle and it might be fun. I don’t actually want to fix people’s tires,outlets,whatever for them but I’d be happy to Explain how and encourage good safety practices. I’m just cautious of people demanding free labor.

Re: Show HN: Patio – Rent tools, learn DIY, reduce waste

#147

Post by nothercastle »

tlavoie wrote: post #59
angry_moose wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Tool libraries are starting to take off. Ours is $35/quarter and gives you free access to their full library: https://mtl.myturn.com/library/inventory/browse

Any thoughts on how you'd decide what tools to rent, or which might be considered too hazardous? For example, I see you have angle grinders, but I'm not sure I'd want to start there if beginning a tool library.

Why not? They are dangerously AF but also necessary and get only light use. Perfect for a tool library.

I do worry about failure of the cutting disk if it was abused so maybe you have to sell people a new disk as part of the rental.

Re: Show HN: Patio – Rent tools, learn DIY, reduce waste

#148

Post by nothercastle »

Animats wrote: post #68

After a while, tool rental services stabilize at tools near end of life but still marginally usable. Go rent something from a tool rental shop and see what you get.

I rent tools all the time they work well but are typically mid tier and 1/5 -1/3 of the price of a new one. There is a lot of labor involved after a rental to clean up and maintain the tool in decent working order though.

Re: Show HN: Patio – Rent tools, learn DIY, reduce waste

#149

Post by tomcam »

GouacheApp wrote: post #32
tomcam wrote: post #29

What happens when an expensive piece of equipment is damaged and the guilty party refuses to acknowledge it?

Great question — this is one of the biggest challenges in peer-to-peer rentals, and something we take seriously. Right now, we’re working on adding features like optional insurance, deposits, and ID verification to help protect both owners and renters. The goal is to make sure there’s a clear, fair process in place when things go wrong — especially with high-value tools. Ultimately, we want to build a platform where…

I abandoned exactly the business model you are pursuing because I couldn’t figure out a solution.

I also abandoned the equivalents of eBay and PayPal decades ago for similar reasons, and in fact neither company has produced acceptable solutions IMHO.

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