Introduction Repair Cafe Gosport began in a well-equipped maker space. However, we now run our events in community venues. One disadvantage of this approach is that most volunteers need to bring their tools, which creates a barrier for some individuals to participate in volunteering unable to bring their own for whatever reason. All our volunteers… Continue reading Our Volunteer Toolkits
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Mug Handle Repair
A fdew weeks ago, I dropped one of my favourite mugs resulting in the handle breaking. Using some two-part rapid set epoxy, glued it back again and held it in placed with an elastic band Next morning, I tried it out and even ran it through the dishwasher before declaring success and writing this blog.
Oven Glove Hook
This is a quick repair from one of our volunteers who ripped the loop off the oven gloves just before Christmas. Though buying a new pair is easy enough, they can be £20 for the really good ones and these were a favourite pair in the household. She sewed the loop back together by hand.
Kitchen timer
Learn how contact cleaner removed the cooking residue that has stopped a kitchen timer working reliably.
Bike Chain Clean
As you ride your bike dirt and grit will inevitably contaminate the chain, causing it to “stretch” damaging other parts of the drive train and causing problems with gear changes. A simple chain gauge will allow you to check the wear of the chain. Cleaning the chain periodically and re-oiling it will help extend its… Continue reading Bike Chain Clean
Keyboard Spring Clean
Every computer keyboard needs a deep clean (especially if you eat sandwiches over it), left too long the debris can stop it from working. Like many repairs, the first step was to take a good photograph so I knew where to return the keys if they got jumbled. Then I removed them one at a… Continue reading Keyboard Spring Clean
Gluing the Sole
The sole had started to peel off my favourite pair of trainers, so I glued it back with a few minutes of work to keep them in use, out of landfill and saving the cost of buying new ones. Glue tends to work better so before applying the glue, I used a craft knife to… Continue reading Gluing the Sole
Servicing Scientific Calculators for the next generation
Most of us will use the calculator on our phones as adults but children and students sitting exams still need a dedicated calculator, mine were sitting unused in a drawer. When I saw a social media post from a friend asking about a recommendation for a calculator for their children, I offered to pass mine… Continue reading Servicing Scientific Calculators for the next generation
Broken Scissors
This pair of Scissors had cracks in both of the handles. I had tried to repair it by gluing them back together before but the joint cracked again each time. This time I added some holes with a small drill and then formed a strengthening piece from Sugru (a moldable glue, that sets hard in… Continue reading Broken Scissors
Bike Brake Cable Replacement
Replacing a bike brake cable to solve jamming brakes.