Helping at a repair cafe

[richarddownunder]

But charities paying more rent then inflates the market artificially.
If you repair something worth repairing for free nobody will ever learn to repair it thus condemning every item in the future to be landfill. Pay a wage to a person to repair it and people will learn to repair. (Ad infinitum)
It's the "pay a wage" part that wrankles. A £5 donation to a charity that uses 70% to pay for running costs isn't the same. Look at good old capt Tom's charity.

Hi - I've been involved in a repair cafe for some time (in New Zealand, but under the same umbrella oganisation as the UK). As has been mentioned by several, the aim is really to help folk fix things that would otherwise end up in landfill and at the same time, try and pass on a few skills and a realisation that things often can be repaired. Some people don't want to know, it is just a service and a free cuppa and cake, but others get involved and learn something and that is rewarding for all concerned. The range of things we undertake is hugely variable from sewing and darning to book repairs to some basic wood and metalwork, bikes etc - and sometimes electrical, if we have a qualified electrician available. The other aim is not to take work from local businesses and if a repair is beyond the scope of the cafe (and the item is worth spending money on), we refer them to these businesses. We have the backing of the local men's shed (and sewing group) so larger woodwork repairs for example often go to the men's shed where they have the gear to do a proper job - yes, it is a bit harder to pass on skills in this situation. Again, these are usually things that people can't afford to get fixed and would otherwise be dumped. Also, we have very few (no) local businesses I know of that could be bothered with repairing, say, an old wooden chair that has much sentimental value but little monetary value, and if there were, it would be impossibly expensive. So, I figure that RCs do the community a service.

From a money point of view, the local council provide our building and if people want to make a donation, or pay for their cuppa, it is up to them.

I have a fairly expensive domestic water blaster/pressure washer. It sprung an internal leak. I asked numerous businesses including the manufacturer to fix it or for parts and all of them said bin it - we don't fix stuff. I eventually got a $5 part from Australia, fixed it myself and it is better than ever. It's a great feeling beating the system!

I'm sure we have investigated liability when we set it up, but this has all been a good prompt to re-look at that, especially for the times we have a sparky available to look at domestic appliances that have stopped working.

Cheers
Richard

 

[John Brown]

We live in a strange sad world when people are paranoid about clearing snow from the pavement, waving somebody across the road, or fixing a bike for fear of being sued, but water companies can poison people with sewage and mail delivery companies can hound people into despair or worse, and seem to suffer no consequences. I could go on... Sub prime mortgages, Lloyds names bail outs....Lady Mone.
I think it's just another example of the divide between the rich and the poor,

 

[dgs2001]

We live in a strange sad world when people are paranoid about clearing snow from the pavement, waving somebody across the road, or fixing a bike for fear of being sued, but water companies can poison people with sewage and mail delivery companies can hound people into despair or worse, and seem to suffer no consequences. I could go on... Sub prime mortgages, Lloyds names bail outs....Lady Mone.
I think it's just another example of the divide between the rich and the poor,

 

[trvlr]

There used to be a organisation known as Skils Exchange; at lest in Toronto, Ontario.

One paid a very notional fee for short series of lessons in whatever (some where often free or voluntary donation) and covered just about anything you could think of. I don't recall any of them being repair courses, but possibly they did educate pholks a little on how to do some things... the range of courses was extensive and often served as an inro to whatever for many a participant/attendee.

Many kids didn't know how to mend a puncture, or strip a bike down and clean/regrease the bottom bracket and wheel hubs/axels; clean, remove/renew/refit the chain...; the pedals (if they were designed to allow that. I taught a few locals how to do some of that; They were "more" than a little surprised that I knew all that stuff...); and gave one family a reasonably detailed how to book on bike maintenance, which the other local kids really got into.

I never got into Sturmey Archer hub strip downs, nor the dreaded Derailer multi sprocket systems though. Those latter multi sprockets... were (and to me always will be) a PIA - both to use let alone strip down. No idea how the Schimanos strip down; but again know that like the Deraiier sytmem I found them a PIA to use.

I'm not sure how many here today in the UK know how to carry out basic bike maintenance - even just to repair a puncture... In my primary skool days the local police road safety chappies would come round once year at least and go through the basics; emphasisng the need to ensure that one put the break shoes back on the right way round..., and ensuring chain tension is correctly set.

 

[Kevin Riley]

I have volunteered to help at a new Repair Cafe being set up in The Gades Shopping centre in Bromley this Saturday May 18th.

Do any of you have any experience of helping at a Repair Cafe?
I'm trying to work out what tools materials and equipment to take.
I thought the organiser was going to give me helpful insights about that they expected to happen. However he isn’t even going to be there. And didn’t have clue what equipment they might already have, though he knew they had some!
I have a large pull along toolbox. It’s already full and jolly heavy. I’m sure most of what I've packed won’t be used and what would be most useful I will have left sitting on my bench.
The trouble with repairing stuff is it isn’t like making something, when we can list the tasks and then the tools and materials we need. It’s always a case of digging around looking for odds and ends then adapting them to do a completely new job. Not knowing what sort of items people are likely to bring for repair makes it hard to plan.
I'm a reasonably competent retired D&T teacher ( I stared out as a Woodwork Teacher) and over 40 years taught most aspects of the subject (though only simple electronics.)
Any ideas, suggestions and advice about tools equipment and especialy materials you think would be most useful would be very welcome.
(Its probably the case of what not to take and leave behind)
Any experiences of working at a similar project would also be helpful.

I’m really looking forward to getting out and meeting people. I spend far too long pottering around here on my own.
Thanks
Martin

I personally would take your basic tools but not every single variant you own.
But also hold back in your car a more specialist set in case you come across a more unique issue, rather than bodge a repair by using the wrong tool.
I think over time you will get to know what you reach for and what is a nice to have but it has never come out the box.
Hope this helps and Nice one for donating your time and effort.
Cheers
Kev.

 

[Kevin Riley]

I suspect most of the stuff that comes the way of repair cafes and mens sheds comes from people who don't have endless funds for repair work or else isn't economically repairable. I doubt much of it would affect professional trades/craftsmen. If a few minutes of a competent person's time saves something from landfill that's fine by me.

Well said,
try and find a trade person willing to fix a burnt out cable on a toaster.
As a new shed member we are asked not to build anything that a local carpenter would do as part of their livelihood.

 

[richarddownunder]

One 'tool' that has turned out to be very handy at our repair cafe is a small portable bench with a vice. I made one very similar to this... https://www.finewoodworking.com/project-guides/shop-projects/mini-workbench-works-wonders.

Cheers
Richard

 

[Mike Fletcher]

The other option we use; if you need specialist tools that you have at home, take the item home and fix it and give the owner a ring when it's done. Also, if we run out of time.

 

[Bosshogg16]

The other option we use; if you need specialist tools that you have at home, take the item home and fix it and give the owner a ring when it's done. Also, if we run out of time.

Ditto. The amount of clocks one of our volunteers has taken home to fix/set, is mind boggling.

 

[bourbon]

Ditto. The amount of clocks one of our volunteers has taken home to fix/set, is mind boggling.

our clock repairer took so many home with him. He got behind fixing them. The amount of abuse he got was unreal. We, as a group, made the decision to withdraw clock repairs. The only clock repairer in the area, retired about 5 years ago having had his shop broken into 4 times in three months.

 

[Homeless Squirrel]

Like charity shops inflating rent in High streets things have unforeseen consequences. And putting them under a charity banner doesn't change the outcome.
Why not set up a mechanic cafe next to a little garage for instance.

He could do! As long as you fund it!

 

[Homeless Squirrel]

Kind of my point.
My dad had an old Swan, with the big round plug in the bottom of the handle. Quite expensive in its day. It had already had several elements over its lifetime, but when the current one gave out I can't remember if he just couldn't get the part, or it was too expensive. New one from Tesco, £5. Made in China, when it packs up chuck it away and buy another one. I don't think most of us nowadays are prepared to pay for decently made things like this, or the cost of repairing them.
I Dare say it will bite us in the bum one day, when we are up to our eyeballs in our own junk !

Still have one of those Swan kettles Awesome bit of kit and elements are still around.

 

[Homeless Squirrel]

There used to be a organisation known as Skils Exchange; at lest in Toronto, Ontario.

One paid a very notional fee for short series of lessons in whatever (some where often free or voluntary donation) and covered just about anything you could think of. I don't recall any of them being repair courses, but possibly they did educate pholks a little on how to do some things... the range of courses was extensive and often served as an inro to whatever for many a participant/attendee.

Many kids didn't know how to mend a puncture, or strip a bike down and clean/regrease the bottom bracket and wheel hubs/axels; clean, remove/renew/refit the chain...; the pedals (if they were designed to allow that. I taught a few locals how to do some of that; They were "more" than a little surprised that I knew all that stuff...); and gave one family a reasonably detailed how to book on bike maintenance, which the other local kids really got into.

I never got into Sturmey Archer hub strip downs, nor the dreaded Derailer multi sprocket systems though. Those latter multi sprockets... were (and to me always will be) a PIA - both to use let alone strip down. No idea how the Schimanos strip down; but again know that like the Deraiier sytmem I found them a PIA to use.

I'm not sure how many here today in the UK know how to carry out basic bike maintenance - even just to repair a puncture... In my primary skool days the local police road safety chappies would come round once year at least and go through the basics; emphasisng the need to ensure that one put the break shoes back on the right way round..., and ensuring chain tension is correctly set.

Well i can repair/build a bike,set up the gears and brakes and even set up cotter pins! plus fixed a puncture in under 5 minutes and away.
Built all or most of my bikes and rebuilt the sourced the mostly complete ones to better components esp my racing bikes.
Just need to learn/understand the basic principles of how/what they work and go from there.

 

[mind_the_goat]

Of course meaning if you charged them £30 or a decent sum they would rapidly learn to unblock vacuums.
Like Sikh gurdwara s who provide free food but ended up feeding half Leicesters polish population three meals a day ad infinitum.

The original ethos of repair cafes was to help someone fix their own stuff. If they pay £30 for a 'professional' to unblock their machine they are unlikely to ever learn how to do it themselves. If they sit and watch a volunteer unblock it for them, next time they will know how to do it.
I've also never known someone to walk away after a repair without offering a reasonable donation, so it's rarely totally free.
The other thing that repair cafes help to avoid is the blocked vacuum being chucked away and replaced with a new one, it's not always obvious to people how or where to get it fixed.

 

[mind_the_goat]

Try how would long would free software guys last if they charged a living wage but Microsoft were operating for free without regulation.

Have you ever heard of Open Source Sofware? That's going to blow your mind.

 

[Fergie 307]

our clock repairer took so many home with him. He got behind fixing them. The amount of abuse he got was unreal. We, as a group, made the decision to withdraw clock repairs. The only clock repairer in the area, retired about 5 years ago having had his shop broken into 4 times in three months.

I can see how clock or watch repairs would be a nightmare, not least because it can be very difficult to really know what is wrong until you take the thing to bits. Often on old ones which haven't been used for years it's just dirt, and a good clean will get them going again. Even that can be a few hours work though. Old watches didn't tend to have well sealed cases, so often get a lot of fibres from clothing and other stuff getting inside and gumming up the works. I recently did a lovely 1960's Zenith for a friend, her mum's watch. When I opened it there were several tiny balls of fluff inside the case. The whole movement was only 11 mm across. Taking that apart and cleaning, reassembly and polishing out some scratches on the crystal and you are looking at a good few hours. Easy to see how you could get overwhelmed very quickly. The image isn't of her watch, but the same movement.

 

[Kevin Riley]

our clock repairer took so many home with him. He got behind fixing them. The amount of abuse he got was unreal. We, as a group, made the decision to withdraw clock repairs. The only clock repairer in the area, retired about 5 years ago having had his shop broken into 4 times in three months.

That is so wrong, going out of his way and then getting abuse.
Let them spend the hundreds it would cost to fix.
Then maybe be a little more pleasant in the future.

 

[Fergie 307]

I think the problem for watch or clock repairers is simply that it is quite labour intensive, and requires a considerable investment in tools. If you charge enough to make it viable to then you end up having to charge more than people are prepared to pay.
If you take granny's old clock in an find that it's going to cost £200 to service it, when it's is very likely only worth maybe £100, chances are you are not going to bother.
So they are only likely to see the more valuable items where the cost can be justified, and that is a limited market.
Even fifty years ago you would see a clock and watch repairer in every decent sized town, now there are very few about at all.