🧰 Repair projects

“I borrowed a Reciprocating Saw to help me replace some suitcase wheels.

I love that safety goggles and clamps were included, so I had everything I needed!”

Alice used the Reciprocating Saw

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See what our members are up to

  • 🪑 Save old furniture

    I revamped a tub chair that I picked up from side of the road. I removed the old cover and used that as pattern to cut out new cover and sew it together. I also put some new legs on.

    Maria used the Sewing Machine

  • 🐱 Repair old toys

    Our cat passed away recently and we were left with a lot of catty-based things, one of which was a scratching post. I didn't want to throw it away but couldn't give it away as it has seen a fair amount of scratching. I ordered a new roll of rope and was about to order a staple gun (£30!) when I remembered my local Library of Things had one I could borrow instead.

    Jonathon used the Staple Gun

  • 💡 Learn reupholstering

    We borrowed a staple gun to reupholster a footstool, we’d never reupholstered anything before, but it was easy and fun. Now we have a great piece of furniture we customised ourselves!

    Member used the Staple Gun

  • 🚪 Refresh old doors

    I sanded and repainted my front door using the Hand Sander, I'd been meaning to do it for ages!

    Aneta used the Hand Sander

  • 💧 Recover from a leak

    We had to dry out a wall in our bathroom following a leak...the Dehumidifier made little noise and a noticeable difference!

    Melanie used the Dehumidifier

  • ⌚ Save time doing repairs

    I used the SDS Drill to hack plaster & concrete off my damp kitchen wall.

    I own a drill but needed a more powerful one for this, it meant I could do the job easily.

    Liz used the SDS Drill

  • 🪑 Spruce up the garden

    Repaired and recycled an old garden bench using a pallet.

    Joe used the Circular Saw

  • 🪑 Save old furniture

    I sanded the dining table to make it look like new and sanded back a windowsill that had been water damaged.

    I've never used a sander before but it was so easy to use, after watching a quick video.

    Bromley member used the Hand Sander

  • 🚲 Fix your bike

    I needed to fix my bike. Nothing too complicated but required multiple specialized tools that I won't need again for another couple of years.

    Hackney Wick member used the Bike Toolkit

  • 💜 Help your neighbours

    I borrowed the sewing machine to volunteer at the Southfields Repair Café as part of Wandsworth Council's Sustainable September.

    I had a great time using the machine to repair some shorts, trousers and a cap for residents. It was great to connect and sew alongside other sewers to help out the community and promote a circular economy.

    Rebecca used the Sewing Machine

  • 🐱 Do it Yourself

    We are a sustainable kitchen supplier. Our showroom had a few DIY jobs that needed to be done. Rather than hire someone to do the repairs, we borrowed some tools and did the repairs ourselves.

    Not only does it cost a fraction of the cost of hiring a tradesman, or buying the tools, this enabled us to carry out the repairs ourselves for a few pounds! We are passionate about only using what we need, and this ticked all of our boxes!

    Veronica used the Drill

  • ⌚ Done in a few minutes

    I needed something to cut through a broken bolt on our patio doors as I couldn’t open them, this was perfect for the job. I got it done and the doors open again is just a few minutes.

    Robert used the Multi-Cutter

  • 🛋 Rescue the sofa

    The legs had broken on my sofa, so I made some new ones and used Chuck the Drill to attach them.

    Member used the Drill

  • We borrowed the Staple Gun to repair our radiator cover that was coming apart, after repeatedly being bumped into when people come through the front door.

    Morden member used the Staple Gun

“My husband had trousers that needed taking up, and convinced me to borrow Calvin the Sewing Machine to do it.

I went from complete beginner to seamstress over the bank holiday weekend!”

Wendy used the Sewing Machine

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Looking for more ideas?

  • I had a disaster with a leaking toilet cistern whilst I was away. Big flood, warped wood and soggy carpets. Solved thanks to the Wet & Dry Vacuum Cleaner. Hurrah!

    Manley used the wet & Dry Vacuum Cleaner

  • I just needed to cut two small tiles as a repair. It was brilliant being able to borrow the Tile Cutter just for a few hours to get the job done and get this off my to do list.

    Wandsworth member used the Tile Cutter

  • I used the Wet & Dry Vacuum Cleaner to help unclog a drain - it did what we needed!

    Alistair used the Wet & Dry Vacuum Cleaner

  • The Extendable Ladder helped me to remove some mould from the bathroom and hallway ceilings and then paint them afterwards.

    Manish used the Extendable Ladder

  • I was carrying out repairs on my daughter’s Nintendo Switch and just needed the Thermal Imaging Camera to help isolate the electronic components that were shorting.

    Morden member used the Thermal Imaging Camera

  • I needed to work on my car but didn't have the right tools - I was delighted to find the ratchet screwdriver in Knowles the DIY Toolkit and it was available same day.  Job done.

    Rachel used the DIY Toolkit

Feeling inspired?

Sewing Machine
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Dehumidifier
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Hand Sander
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Whether it's the cat enjoying the newly cleaned sofa or your books taking pride of place on your new shelves. We love to hear about it 🙌