South King Tool Library hosts Repair Cafe

Lamps and vacuums were a popular repair request, and sewing machines were kept busy too, mending well-loved clothing.

By Keelin Everly-Lang • April 5, 2024 11:30 am

The South King Tool Library in Federal Way held its first Repair Cafe of the year on March 30. Approximately 75 people attended, carting with them a total of over 100 items that needed fixing.

Lamps and vacuums were a popular repair request, and sewing machines were kept busy too, mending well-loved clothing.

Some repair requests were not to fix things that were broken, but just to get them working better. Several guests brought knives to be sharpened. Purses, chairs, fans and garden tools were among the fixed items as well.

Guests shared feedback with South King Tool Library after the event. Themes centered on appreciation for help saving resources and money — and the opportunity to generate less waste. Many also commented on the knowledge they gained from the event about repairing and maintaining their belongings through the patient and educational conversations with staff.

Along with these benefits, one guest even brought his wife’s walker to be repaired — meaning access to mobility was achieved without needing to acquire costly replacements.

The next event will be on June 29, and executive director Amanda Miller said they are looking for more volunteer “fixers.” Especially beneficial would be volunteers she referred to as “veterinarians that could help everything from a chicken to a horse to a dog.” Translated into tool terms, that means generally skilled people who are handy with a variety of tools and repair situations.

Miller said she is also looking to get more kids involved, especially those who are involved in robotics clubs or have similar engineering interests. Attendees are also encouraged to bring toys that need fixing.

Feedback sheets told guests that “today you helped support a more circular economy.” The Environmental Protection Agency describes a circular economy as “a change to the model in which resources are mined, made into products, and then become waste. A circular economy reduces material use, redesigns materials and products to be less resource intensive, and recaptures waste as a resource to manufacture new materials and products.”

South King Tool Library has another event coming up to help people in Federal Way reduce waste. The Clothing Swap on May 4 will give guests the chance pick up clothing for free themselves. Donations are accepted through May 3. The tool library is located at 1700 S. 340th Place, Federal Way.