Arlington’s First Combination Little Free Library & Bike Repair Station

[chris_s]

One month and three days til first theft. Pump, wrench, Allen keys all gone.

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

[Judd]

@chris_s 168345 wrote:

One month and three days til first theft. Pump, wrench, Allen keys all gone.

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

I hope someone really really needed that wrench and that you’ve made their Christmas come early.

Are you going to replace?

[chris_s]

@Judd 168387 wrote:

I hope someone really really needed that wrench and that you’ve made their Christmas come early.

Are you going to replace?

I hope the same. If they really needed them so badly that they felt like they needed to steal them, then I wish them well. If it was just malice then *insert angry face*.

Hoping to put in replacements before I head out of town for Thanksgiving.

[Henry]

@chris_s 168388 wrote:

I hope the same. If they really needed them so badly that they felt like they needed to steal them, then I wish them well. If it was just malice then *insert angry face*.

Hoping to put in replacements before I head out of town for Thanksgiving.

Yeah, saw this on Saturday, but thought you knew. Was going to mention it, but why ruin Friendsgiving?

[ATTACH=CONFIG]15751[/ATTACH]

[VA2DC]

That’s too bad. Have you thought about using wire rope like the commercial bike repair stations? Aluminum ferrules require a swaging tool for installation, but even bolt-on rope clips would slow down most would-be thieves. Certainly more theft-proof than parachute cord.

[FFX_Hinterlands]

You just reminded me.. There are now two fix-it stations in Herndon just off the W&OD. One near Van Buren and the second near Herndon Community Center, just west of Ferndale, Ave. They are both oddly placed… in the middle of the grass at least 15-20 feet from the trail and black/low to the ground. I almost missed them.

Tom

[Judd]

@FFX_Hinterlands 168446 wrote:

You just reminded me.. There are now two fix-it stations in Herndon just off the W&OD. One near Van Buren and the second near Herndon Community Center, just west of Ferndale, Ave. They are both oddly placed… in the middle of the grass at least 15-20 feet from the trail and black/low to the ground. I almost missed them.

Tom

Would anyone object if a sign pointing to the fix it station suddenly appeared on the side of the trail?

[FFX_Hinterlands]

@Judd 168451 wrote:

Would anyone object if a sign pointing to the fix it station suddenly appeared on the side of the trail?

Sometimes that happens.

[chris_s]

@VA2DC 168440 wrote:

That’s too bad. Have you thought about using wire rope like the commercial bike repair stations? Aluminum ferrules require a swaging tool for installation, but even bolt-on rope clips would slow down most would-be thieves. Certainly more theft-proof than parachute cord.

Looks like I’m going to have to head this direction. The replacement tools didn’t last a week. Open to suggestions on the best method of attaching the wire rope to the body of the library. The screw-in eyes that I’m currently using can be easily unscrewed and the thief could just take the tools and wire rope all together home to detach at their leisure.

[kwarkentien]

@chris_s 168345 wrote:

One month and three days til first theft. Pump, wrench, Allen keys all gone.

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Goniffs!!!! That sucks!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[chris_s]

@VA2DC 168440 wrote:

That’s too bad. Have you thought about using wire rope like the commercial bike repair stations? Aluminum ferrules require a swaging tool for installation, but even bolt-on rope clips would slow down most would-be thieves. Certainly more theft-proof than parachute cord.

Thanks for the suggestion, I just looked into this and what’s involved. I think it’s the right call.

[Vicegrip]

I have all the stuff you need to make up good wire rope tethers. Cable in various sizes, fittings and the proper pro grade tools to crimp everything up. Bring the tools to me and I can crimp up cables to the tools and to threaded eye bolts or some other retainer. Wil take about 10 min at best to make everything up in pro grade form. You then run the threaded bolt through the box and fasten with a lock nut. I can make up some round side lock nuts so the wrench you provide can’t remove the nut that retains it. Another way is a bike type padlock. Loop the cables on the shackel then run it through the side of the box or around a post. You cannot stop someone that is determined but you can make it a bit harder to perhaps deter the casual jerk that makes it so we can’t have nice things.

[chris_s]

Two developments.

First, there’s a new full set of tools at my library. Many thanks to everyone who recommended the new attachment mechanism. I doubt my crimps are as professional as vicegrip would have done, but I felt like I needed to be able to do it myself.

Second, Judd noticed that Dorcester Apartments has added tools to their little free library as well!

https://twitter.com/LumberjackCycle/status/943169170912497664

[Judd]

@chris_s 169824 wrote:

Two developments.

First, there’s a new full set of tools at my library. Many thanks to everyone who recommended the new attachment mechanism. I doubt my crimps are as professional as vicegrip would have done, but I felt like I needed to be able to do it myself.

Second, Judd noticed that Dorcester Apartments has added tools to their little free library as well!

https://twitter.com/LumberjackCycle/status/943169170912497664

Stopped by the newly rededicated Slatt Family fixit library today. Looks like the new cable will deter the casual thief.

The medallion on the front was also slightly askew. I fixed it but it looks like the top piece attaching it to the library might be damaged.

Here’s my urban assault bike taking a break at the library.

[chris_s]

@Judd 169897 wrote:

The medallion on the front was also slightly askew. I fixed it but it looks like the top piece attaching it to the library might be damaged.

Thanks, I got the same sort of report from someone who logged the geocache today. Sounds like the glue holding one of the magnets has let go.

[Author]

Posts