Local LLM user questions whether tool calling actually works or if the community is in denial about fundamental limitations of smaller models.

User tested multiple 20-35B parameter models (Qwen 3.5/3.6, Gemma4, GPS-OSS) with Open WebUI and LM Studio but found tool calling feature to be unreliable and glitchy

Models frequently hallucinated successful file/folder creation when nothing was actually created, or got stuck in execution loops despite simple, clear prompts

User suspects either they're doing something wrong or small local models have inherent limitations preventing reliable tool use, questioning whether community praise for the feature is justified