The morning I realized I'd been returning tools wrong for years

I always put my borrowed tools back in the same bin I found them at our Portland tool library. Last Tuesday a volunteer named Mike pulled me aside and showed me the return cart with the red tags - I'd been bypassing the inspection process for like 8 months. Tools need to get checked for damage and cleaned before they go back on the shelf, otherwise stuff like the cracked worm drive I returned last winter slips through. Anyone else miss this step their first few visits?

2 comments

2 Comments

xena_murphy1d ago

The thing is, those red tags are a LIFESAVER for keeping the system running smooth. Once I figured it out, I actually started getting better tools because they're not all beat up when I grab them. Now I always ask if there's a quick checklist or if the volunteers need me to wipe down a saw before handing it over. It feels good to be part of the process instead of just dumping stuff haphazardly. Just remember, the inspection is there so the next person doesn't get a cracked blade or a missing part.

avery_stone951d ago

Oh man, I totally did the same thing at my local library. Took me like a year before a volunteer kindly let me know I was basically just dumping tools in the wrong spot. It's kind of embarrassing but glad I'm not the only one who missed that step.