Do you have tools you no longer need?
Whether you’re doing a garage clear-out, downsizing your workshop, or finishing a construction project, we adopt surplus tools and help sustain their use for much longer, for many more users.
We are also keen to hear from tool manufacturers, construction companies, DIY outlets, and educational institutions who would be willing to support our library with donations.
Making a donation
Please say hello to us at tools@glasgowtoollibrary.com and send the following information about your donation:
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- An image of your tool/s
- A brief assessment of their condition
- Your availability for dropping them off
We are unable to offer a donation collection service however if you are interested in making a large donation of high quality equipment, including tools that are on our top request list, chat to us and we can try and figure something out.
Tools we don’t need
Although we want to recoup as many tools as possible from waste or under-use we are limited by our storage, as well as the capacity of our volunteer repairers to fix broken tools. Here is a guide to what we don’t need:
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- Cordless tools with dead batteries.
- SPANNERS! our collection is overflowing.
- Petrol-powered tools – these are too costly for us to maintain.
- Unorganised Consumables & fixings e.g. nails, sandpaper, door handles.
- Tools that are not in good working order.
- Tools that are caked in dirt, oil or paint – clean them off and bringing ’em in.
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Before you donate any tools to us we ask that you make the following considerations:
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- Assess repair/quality – If the tool you wish to donate requires a few simple repairs, such as re-wiring or blade-sharpening, we may be able to take it, especially if it is a good quality tool. Broken tools can be costly to find replacement parts and our repair team are working hard to stay on top of the tools already in our care. Before you commit your tool to landfill why not speak to a local repairer – see below.
- Age – if the tool is an antique get in contact with us directly with an image of the tool and some information. If we can’t use the tool we may be able to point you to another relevant organisation or sell it to a collector to support the tool library’s aims.
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Local Repair
If we aren’t able to take on your tool due to its condition, consider taking it along to your local Repair hub, or to a Repair Cafe Glasgow! event first, they are great at diagnosing problems. Here you can learn how to repair your electronic equipment yourself with the help of experienced engineers.
If your broken tool is a brand name you may be able to get help repairing or recycling it from the manufacturer, have a look on their website to find out what they offer or search online for local specialists.
Getting hold of a replacement part can often be an easy fix. Parts can be affordable and straightforward to track down by searching online with the model number and the name of the part as listed in the manual (most can be found online).