I originally set out to do a long, winding path of tightly-fit flagstone. However, I also planned on installing a creekbed between the two halves of the yard. This required me to design a solution that would transition from the creekbed crossing (an as-yet-to-be-built footbridge) with the opposite side of the creekbed. . .that would _not_ have that same winding path of flagstone (or any path, in fact). I had already purchased the flagstone, and finally figure out a different style of path. . .which left with me 'Huh, what to do with the 1100lb of flagstone?" I had planned on doing a hardscape seating area, but not for another two years. . .so I checked in to see if SKTL had a wetsaw. Indeed SKTL does have a wetsaw, and one on a _table_ no less! Over the course of roughly four weeks a good chunk of the flagstone turned into that flagstone seating area. What would have taken me _months_ to cut those flagstone so precisely instead took me only those weeks. What I had planned for two years in the future _instead_ I was able to accomplish in 2021.
I had wanted to build a pair of adirondack chairs with my own two hands, because the typical cost of one (an actual wooden one) was more than I wanted to pay. I felt comfortable and confident in being able to do it myself, and had obtained the design plans to do so. However, I needed a very specific tool to make the more complex cuts necessary to build the charis. SKTL has several jigsaws (the power tool, not the toy) and by borrowing one of them I was able to produce both chairs. SKTL also has several clamps (for plumbing and/or carpentry), and borrowing several of these made it a breeze to hold parts together while I assembled. Originally I planned on making one chair in January and another chair in March (so I could spread out the cost of materials), but due to the combination of leftover pieces from the first chair and having the tools already on-hand I was able to produce the two chairs in a little over three weeks.
The gazebo was an ambitious undertaking from the start: the plans were self made (architecture degree and a lot of drafting practice to boot), and because of so many angles involved I was in sore need of a compound miter saw. SKTL has several excellent ones, and I borrowed one for roughly three months. Borrowing the compound miter saw allowed me to learn how to use such a tool, through doing, which made me feel successful. I also borrowed a table saw from SKTL, which allowed me to rapidly cut boards when I didn't need the complex angle-cutting of a miter saw. Borrowing from SKTL made this project financially affordable for me, and as such I was able to donate some of that saved money towards SKTL.
