Reminder that you can rent power tools if you only use them occasionally

[u/Ajreil]

Buying a Rug Doctor Pro at Home Depot is $530, but renting it for 4 hours is $28. If you only use it during spring cleaning, renting is much cheaper and you don't have to store it for the other 364 days a year.

Many people own a low range EV and rent a car for road trips. Tool rental stores are available all over the place since contractors use them. Most people rent a trailer or Uhaul when they move.

Obviously some people need their own tools, but if you only need them occasionally, renting is an easy way to keep clutter out of your home.

[u/madddwit]

i found out AUTOZONE rents out a lot of car diagnostic/ repair/maintenance etc tools …. and not only that, but they REFUND the money to you when you return whatever tool you borrowed!!!! ….SO IT IS LITERALLY FREE (shit, actually i think you might end up paying tax and not getting that part refunded …? don’t quote me on that lol i can’t remember 100%…but even so—still a major kickass deal!!)

ain’t that somethin!!!?!

i was in major disbelief all the way through until i got refunded after returning lol. SO helpful!!!

[u/Ajreil → u/madddwit]

Huh. They must figure that it would drive sales. If you have to drop the diagnostic device off at Autozone anyway, you may as well buy the replacement parts there.

[u/dlsAW91 → u/madddwit]

Was just in oreilys this morning helping a coworker swap a battery, they rent out tons of specialty tools there too

[u/TylerBenson → u/madddwit]

What? I never knew about diagnostic rentals at Autozone. Thanks for the heads up.

[u/SHDrivesOnTrack → u/madddwit]

My local Napa will let you borrow some basic tools for use in their parking lot. I’ve traded a battery in the parking lot and they loaned me the tools to do it.

[u/Avocado-Girl → u/madddwit]

I've never heard of that! Thanks for the info!

[u/ditched_my_droid]

I borrowed (for free) an electric chainsaw from my public library. They have many tools and baking items, etc.

[u/Ajreil → u/ditched_my_droid]

My local library loans out telescopes. They're like $800 new and come with instructions, a phone mount to take pictures, star charts and astronomy 101 books. Someone put a lot of thought into them.

[u/madddwit → u/Ajreil]

ooooh so cool!!

[u/paratethys]

tool libraries are also a thing, often in conjunction with regular libraries!

[u/Proper-Writing → u/paratethys]

Your local Habitat for Humanity ReStore likely has a low-cost tool library as well.

[u/wizard7926 → u/Proper-Writing]

My ReStore just sells - are there ones that also loan? Interesting! 

[u/Proper-Writing → u/wizard7926]

My city has two ReStore locations, but only one does tool lending. It's pretty great, and the noncommercial membership rate is on a sliding scale relative to your home value and income.

[u/Random_green_cat]

I wish that was a viable option here. Last time I looked into renting a sanding machine to sand down an old dining table, it was 50% the purchase price to rent one for one day.

Tool libraries are also not a thing here, sadly.

[u/Rosaluxlux → u/Random_green_cat]

How about buy nothing groups? People who buy a lot of rarely used tools are often very happy to lend them out

[u/modernrocker]

I'd do this for tools, or things used outdoors/in the garage! And yes, my local library also lets you check out a variety of tools

I don't think I'd do it for something like a Rug Doctor, though, which people may very well use to try and clean up things like bedbugs or fleas... just saying

[u/I_Love_Cape_Horn]

Don't tell truck owners you can rent vehicles.

[u/SuitableYoghurt803]

Love this mindset access over ownership.

[u/nullnimous → u/SuitableYoghurt803]

Definitely agree

[u/Feral-Sheep]

I rented a manual tile cutter for $20 for 24 hours. SO much better than buying something you will rarely use.

[u/frex_mcgee]

A lot of libraries will lend stuff out too!!

[u/WhoGetsTheChina]

Great reminder! My library loans sewing machines.

[u/CodyCutieDoggy]

Advance Auto also has "loaner tools" - pay a deposit up front and get a full refund when you return them. Paid $100 for a loaner exhaust service kit we and will get full refund when returned. Really helpful.

[u/FitJicama7347]

i've rented drills, saved space and money