Author: Kathy Kildea
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We’re hiring!
The Cville Tool Library is looking for an enthusiastic, community-minded Volunteer Engagement Coordinator to recruit, welcome, and support the volunteers who make our tool library possible. If you enjoy connecting people, building community, and helping volunteers find meaningful ways to contribute, we’d love to hear from you. Position Details Learn more and apply here.
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Custom Storage: Built to Fit
Jon, one of our volunteers an a tool library member, recently set out to solve a common household problem: too much clutter and not enough storage. Jon’s goal was to build a custom set of drawers that would maximize available space and help keep their home organized. The search for a ready-made solution quickly proved…
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New Board Members
Welcoming New Leadership and Board Members As the Tool Library continues to grow, we’re grateful for the volunteers who help guide our work behind the scenes. This month, we’re excited to share a few updates to our Board of Directors. First, we want to offer our sincere thanks to Taylor Frome, who has served as…
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Undaunted! Cracking 600+ Black Walnuts
When most people look at a yard full of fallen black walnuts, they see a mess to clean up. One of our newest members saw an opportunity. After a bumper crop of black walnuts dropped from a tree in their yard, Kathy decided it was finally time to learn how to harvest them. After hulling…
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Building Equity, One Floorboard at a Time
When Haley purchased her first home this month, she knew exactly what had to go before moving day: the stained, smelly carpet that covered much of the house. After gathering quotes for new flooring installation, it quickly became clear that hiring the job out wasn’t in the budget. Instead, Haley decided to tackle the project…
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From Rough-Cut to Refined: Reclaimed Wood Hooks for Welcoming Guests
When Becky realized her guest bedroom needed a better place for coats, robes, and bags, she saw an opportunity to make something both useful and beautifully in tune with her home. The walls and ceiling in the room are finished with rough-cut white and red oak harvested right from the property, and the goal was…
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A Full Kitchen Remodel—Built with Patience, Precision, and Shared Tools
When Austin bought a 1967 split-level in Charlottesville, he knew right away that the kitchen needed serious love. As a passionate home cook, he saw the kitchen as the heart of the house, and decided to take on a full remodel to make it work better for everyday life. While the tile floor and countertops…
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From Crib to Craft: A First Build with Shared Tools
There’s something especially meaningful about a first woodworking project, and this one came with a pretty wonderful bonus: family memories built right alongside the furniture. One of our members set out to build a simple floor bed to help their preschooler transition out of a crib. With help from the Cville Tool Library’s miter saw,…
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A Backyard Upgrade: DIY Aluminum Fence Installation Made Easy
Fences do more than mark a boundary. They define a space, add privacy, and pull a yard together. One of our most active members, Matt, recently installed a sleek black aluminum fence in their backyard, and thanks to the Cville Tool Library, he was able to take on the entire project without purchasing a single…
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A Colorful Puzzle for a Baby Nephew — Made Smoother With a Dremel
Some projects are extra special because they’re made for someone you love. Jon, one of our members, recently created a vibrant, ammonite-shaped wooden puzzle for their baby nephew. It’s a 24-piece keepsake that’s as delightful as it is unique. But as any woodworker knows, 90% of every project is sanding, and this one was no…