The Edinburgh Tool Library

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The Edinburgh Tool Library

borrow tools ~ access workshops ~ volunteer with us ~ more info👇
linktr.ee/edinburghtoollibrary Welcome to the UK's first tool library!

The Edinburgh Tool Library (ETL) lend tools of all kinds to its members. Gardening, decorating, machine repair - if you need it, why not take a look at us before buying? Sharing is good for the planet and your wallet 👇

https://edinburghtoollibrary.org.uk/

Workshops

We run open workshop sessions at our venues in Leith and Portobello. Due to Covid, workshop sessions are currently limited to 6 participants, and participants must be inducted before they can use the workshops. Being a safe space for everyone in our community is very important to us here at the tool library – that’s why we run a weekly Women’s Workshop for women and non-binary folx. We also run paid classes aimed at beginner-level woodworkers, and one-off making events. To book an induction, workshop spot or see a program of current events and classes, see 👇

https://edinburghtoollibrary.org.uk/workshops-events/

If you have any additional accessibility needs or suggestions, please get in touch! It’s very important to us that anyone who wants to use the tool library can 👇

[email protected]

Volunteer

Become a Tooligan! You don’t have to know everything (or anything) to help out at the tool library. We’re always looking for volunteers to help with running the library, fundraising and tool repair and maintenance. Apply here 👇

https://tinyurl.com/635ftucj

Support Us

Donate (working) tools or skills; join our adopt a tool scheme; or simply donate some cash 👇

https://edinburghtoollibrary.org.uk/support-us/

07/10/2026

New opportunity to join our team!

We are looking for someone/s to strengthen our workshop team as a workshop leader. This role is all about teaching woodworking for the community and making our programme's accessible and welcoming. They will be expected to uphold high standards of health and safety, and have a wide knowledge of woodworking, tools and teaching.

The role is for two and a half days per week. One of these days is funded until the end of March 2027 for our Choose L.I.F.E. programme, which always happens on a Wednesday, and the other one and a half days are on a permanent basis and will need flexibility, including evening and weekend working.

The roles are broadly similar, and so we are recruiting once, but may appoint two candidates, and encourage people to apply even if it is only for a portion of the two and a half days.

🗓️ Closing date for the application is midnight on Sunday 18th October.
🔗 For more information on how to apply follow the link in the bio - edinburghtoollibrary.org.uk/work-with-us/

04/10/2026

Call for participants: ‘Living Tool’ workshop

Looking for a fun evening activity where you can earn £26? Join us for this 90-minute workshop and take part in an imaginative exercise: what if the tools we share are alive? Inspired by the phrase, “Take care of things and things will take care of you,” from Japanese Buddhist Shunryu Suzuki, you’re invited to imagine whether things could be designed to support and promote sharing. Like us, could these tools have goals and intentions that promote and nurture the community’s culture and values? What might these shared objects look like? Perhaps a less-used tool could introduce itself to a member and persuade them to work with it. Are there any limitations to these tools?

This workshop is run by a researcher from the University of Edinburgh. Your imagination will be very helpful in helping other researchers and designers to better understand the pros and cons of technology’s emerging implications and impacts. This workshop is child-friendly!

Sign up using the link below!

https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=sAafLmkWiUWHiRCgaTTcYUqspbJRsNxBnJsbMEUjSy9UNFlHUUNLTUo2SlZMUlMzTVpIVlBTQTZMNi4u

02/10/2026

Looking for a fun family activity for you and the children during the October break?

We are thrilled to announce that our kids makers club is back for half term! Our community workshop doors will be open Tuesday to Friday from 10.00 - 12.00 to make, experiment and play!

Come along to explore and learn how to make things with wood; expect whistles, noughts and crosses, robots and much much more! Join us for a day or the full programme.

These making sessions are suitable for beginners and are open to parents and guardians with a child 8 - 11 years old. Some of the projects are suitable from 6 and up, with some extra support from their joining adults. Do check the project before booking.

Please note: 1 ticket is for one adult and one child. Please get in touch with [email protected] to add an additional child to the booking.

📆 Club Dates:
Tuesday 13th October | 10.00 - 12.00 - Project: Whistles (suitable ages 6 - 11)
Wednesday 14th October | 10.00 - 12.00 - Project: Noughts and crosses game (suitable ages 8 - 11)
Thursday 15th October | 10.00 - 12.00 - Project: Robots (suitable ages 6 - 11)
Friday 16th October | 10.00 - 12.00 - Project: Bird Box (suitable ages 8 - 11)

📍ETL Community Workshop, 32 Tennant Street
🔗 Book here: https://events.humanitix.com/kids-makers-club-midterm-holidays

01/10/2026

🚨 Still spaces available for this Sunday's draught proofing workshops!!

Let's prepare for the colder months: We've got 4 practical draught-proofing workshops coming up in October and November to help you save energy and make your home warmer this winter. On Sunday the 4th we will kick off with the first interactive session, where you will learn how to draught proof your home the right way.

Led by eco builder and home health expert Simon Hackin.

Book your spot via the link in bio

https://events.humanitix.com/just-do-it-yourself-simple-and-effective-draught-proofing-for-the-home

30/09/2026

📢 New Cycle Kitchen Class: Build a Bike, Part 2

Have you ever wanted to build a bike from the frame up? We have two bikes that we are building up for Bikes for Refugees, and this is a chance to learn and practice hands-on how to put a bike together.

This is the second part of the Build a Bike class, where we will finish off the bikes we are building for - participants will work in teams with guidance from the class organisers.

We will focus on the following components:

🚲 Brake cables and housing
🚲 Rim brakes
🚲 Front and rear mech
🚲 Gear cables and housing
🚲 Chain
🚲 Gears

This class is aimed at advanced beginner/intermediate level. ETL members get a 10% discount on tickets!

Head to the link in our bio to book via Humanitix.

29/09/2026

Looking for a fun family activity for you and the children? Over the October half term holidays, our community workshop in Leith is opening its doors for our young tooligans to make, experiment and play!

Come along to explore and learn together how to make things with wood; expect whistles, noughts and crosses, robots and much much more!

These making sessions are suitable for beginners and are open to parents and guardians with a child 8 - 11 years old.

📆 Club Dates:

Tuesday 13th October 10.00 - 12.00 - Project: Whistles
Wednesday 14th October 10.00 - 12.00 - Project: Make your own noughts and crosses game
Thursday 15th October 10.00 - 12.00 - Project: Robot making
Friday 16th October 10.00 - 12.00 - Project: Bird Box

Book your spot now on Humanitix: https://events.humanitix.com/kids-makers-club-midterm-holidays

19/09/2026

Still time to apply for the Volunteer Manager role. This would be the ideal role for someone who enjoys building and nurturing relationships, organising information, and creating welcoming and accessible pathways into volunteering. Is this you?

The closing date for the application is midnight on Sunday 20th September. We encourage applicants from across the community. For more information and how to apply-> https://edinburghtoollibrary.org.uk/work-with-us/

18/09/2026

Interested in learning how to use a drill but not sure where to start? At our community workshop we run DIY Basics classes to up your tool skills and knowledge and make you feel more confident with all your home diy jobs.

This Monday on the 21st of September join us for a 2-hour introductory class in the fundamentals of working with drills. We’ll cover the basics of drill safety, choosing the right drill and drill bits, understanding different settings and speeds, and learning how to confidently handle a drill for a variety of everyday projects.

On Monday 5th of October we will focus on the tools and skills for hanging a shelf. You will learn about different hand tools and power drills, how to identify different kinds of walls and wall fixings, and what to look out for when putting up shelves. This class is designed for anyone who wants to learn the basics in a relaxed and supportive environment. No previous DIY experience required.

🛠️ DIY Basics: Introduction to drills
🗓️ Monday 21st September, 10.00 - 12.00
📍Edinburgh Tool Library Community Workshop, 32 Tennant Street

🛠️ DIY Basics: How to hang a shelf
🗓️ Monday 5th October, 10.00 - 12.00
📍Edinburgh Tool Library Community Workshop, 32 Tennant Street

🔗 Book your spot on Humanitix -> https://events.humanitix.com/diy-basics-introduction-drills

Illustration by

17/09/2026

We are beyond excited to welcome Teresa Hunyadi, a wood sculptor with a strong emphasis on sustainability, for a series of workshops inspired by the natural world this October to our community workshop.

If you have ever wanted to learn more about wood carving and immerse yourself in a deeply creative practice, why not join us for one of these joyful and hands on sessions?

🪵 Rosette Carving
📅 Tuesday 6th October
⏰ 6pm - 8.30pm

🪵 Bird Carving (kids-friendly workshop!)
📅 Thursday 8th October
⏰ 4.30pm - 6.30pm

🪵 Whale Carving
📅 Sunday 11th October
⏰ 10am - 4pm

Please follow the link in our bio to book your spot via Humanitix. https://events.humanitix.com/bird-carving-teresa-hunyadi

We hope to see you there 💚

16/09/2026

For our latest Community Build project we made a wheelchair-accessible raised bed for the Oxgangs Community Garden! Over two days, we build build a nifty construction that allows gardeners with limited mobility to sit in a chair or wheelchair with their legs fitting under the table. This allows them to work at a comfortable height and reach all across a large bed.

Projects such as this are all about improving and giving back to local communities across Edinburgh. Made possible by our Volunteer Assembly and the tools, people power and commitment of our wonderful volunteers! A huge thank you to everyone who was involved 👏

To read a bit more about the build, Oxgangs Community Garden have written a great piece about the new features of their garden. You can read it here: https://oxgangsgardeners.org/building-an-accessible-raised-bed-with-the-edinburgh-tool-library-volunteer-assembly/

Address

32 Tennant Street
Edinburgh
EH75NA

Website

http://Edinburghtoollibrary.org.uk/, https://events.humanitix.com/host/edinburghtoollibrary

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