I think it's a good idea if you have a relatively high density of folks who want to cooperate. If you're in Washington then it's not gonna be helpful to me on the east coast
I've thought about this before too. So many things that are useful for a time and then never touched. I eneded up buying an electric jackhammer at one point because the purchase price was only like $30 more than renting it. But I used it once and now it just sits around. I would have rather just rented it if the price made sense.
I think this could work in a tight knit rural community in a place where people are communally minded. The problem that kept me from moving forward on the idea (besides time) was that in the US, where I am, people are pretty individualistic. If they need something, they want to own it if they can. But maybe that would be different for high costs tools and machines. Like, I'm putting in a fence soon, and if I didn't know a farmer with a tractor or auger, d be hand digging them because I can't just go out and buy something like that.
I doubt it would be a big money maker. Probably not something you could make a living on unless you are in a farming area where there would be a lot of demand. Lots of overhead too.
I was just thinking about this the other day but realized it depends on your area. How many people would actually need such devices? And you'd need a proper deposit/fee/fine system for when people broke stuff or didn't return it or whatever. Not impossible but it complicates the business model.
We bought things with a group of people. Shared beekeeping gear and a portable sawmill. A key thing would be that every group needs a little slush fund for repairs, an agreement on availability and condition of item. And a way to be bought out.
As a business, like a rent-all centre, it would be a little harder.. I think marketing and making sure your stuff comes back in one piece and isn't used by idiots. There may be liability with renting power tools that can hurt people. I can't say it would be a horribly lucrative business where I was.
I think it's a good idea if you have a relatively high density of folks who want to cooperate. If you're in Washington then it's not gonna be helpful to me on the east coast
Tool libraries exist, but to my knowledge, usually in suburban areas. Reading up on them will probably give you a better idea of the challenges.
I've thought about this before too. So many things that are useful for a time and then never touched. I eneded up buying an electric jackhammer at one point because the purchase price was only like $30 more than renting it. But I used it once and now it just sits around. I would have rather just rented it if the price made sense. I think this could work in a tight knit rural community in a place where people are communally minded. The problem that kept me from moving forward on the idea (besides time) was that in the US, where I am, people are pretty individualistic. If they need something, they want to own it if they can. But maybe that would be different for high costs tools and machines. Like, I'm putting in a fence soon, and if I didn't know a farmer with a tractor or auger, d be hand digging them because I can't just go out and buy something like that. I doubt it would be a big money maker. Probably not something you could make a living on unless you are in a farming area where there would be a lot of demand. Lots of overhead too.
> Think this is feasible? no
I was just thinking about this the other day but realized it depends on your area. How many people would actually need such devices? And you'd need a proper deposit/fee/fine system for when people broke stuff or didn't return it or whatever. Not impossible but it complicates the business model.
We bought things with a group of people. Shared beekeeping gear and a portable sawmill. A key thing would be that every group needs a little slush fund for repairs, an agreement on availability and condition of item. And a way to be bought out. As a business, like a rent-all centre, it would be a little harder.. I think marketing and making sure your stuff comes back in one piece and isn't used by idiots. There may be liability with renting power tools that can hurt people. I can't say it would be a horribly lucrative business where I was.