What to bring to a "Repair Fair?"

LWJ · 01-10-2025, 03:08 PM

Gents (and two ladies I think!)

I am going to a local event tomorrow that is billed as a Repair Fair. Meaning, people bring busted junk and someone like me plays with it and may even make it better. Or not.

So what the heck should I bring? It is supposed to be mostly appliances and bicycles.

I can bring a bunch of bike tools / lube / etc. That is pretty easy. But appliances? Swap out cords? Solder up a circuit?

Shoot me some ideas before I load 500# of hand tools into my pickup!

masraum · 01-10-2025, 04:15 PM

If appliances are possible, then I think you'd need a multimeter, and then some sort of driver to be able to tackle philips, regular, and various sized small hex head screws. It seems possible but not terribly likely that you'd need wrenches or a ratchet and sockets for appliances.

I've never heard of anything like that. Let us know how it goes.

dad911 · 01-10-2025, 04:25 PM

A bunch of safety glasses, gloves, rags and first aid kit.

Bikes your specialty? Then Bike tools, patch kit & small inflator or compressor. Spray lube & cleaner.

HobieMarty · 01-10-2025, 05:34 PM

I have never heard of anything like this either, so do you get paid to fix the stuff, or is it on a voluntary basis?

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Bill Douglas · 01-10-2025, 06:13 PM

It's probably a bit far but I have a nice stereo amp with a bad capacitor...

So a multimeter, pliers screw drivers.

john70t · 01-10-2025, 06:42 PM

What a great event idea. There is something similar around here. Haven't been to it in a while. The Kiwanis org used to have a small second hand resale space downtown which was packed full every sat morning. Usually staffed by the white hair volunteers. Some were masters in their respective fields. Talking about replacement vacuum tube numbers and such.

https://www.maker-works.com/ A community shop space with decent basic tooling equipment. Nothing too unsafe unfortunately. For people to work on their own small projects. A neighbor a few blocks away has a membership.

https://www.maker-works.com/upcoming-events At the GO-Tech meetings people talk about their projects experiences or tech in general. Sort of like a mini TED talk. Plus woodworking, radio, quilting, and other groups. Fix-it Friday Event has something similar to what you've described.

fanaudical · fanaudical's Garage

Where/when is this at and is the general public invited (for those of us who may be nearby)?

Sounds kinda fun.

If you're repairing bikes: Bike stand, definitely some cable cutters and end crimps, cleaning rags, some Simple Green, sprocket brush, etc. Expect to see bikes with rusted chains, bad cables, hard tires and brake pads.

Appliances: Multimeter, screw-gun with some nut drivers, an extension cord and power strip, any and all spare parts you've got. Maybe a small air compressor to blow out the dust and dead mice.

john70t · 01-10-2025, 07:12 PM

Lots of rags or paper towels. Non-latex gloves. Whatever the person next to you forgot to bring.

wdfifteen · wdfifteen's Garage

I was a tech at one of those. People brought the most roached-out crap in and wanted us to spend time trying to fix it. There wasn't much that was salvageable. Steve's suggestions for tools is right on.

A quick anecdote, if you don't mind.
I was the fix-it guy at the hardware store where I worked when I was in college. Two people brought in identical clothing irons to be repaired. One of them only needed a cord, the other one was toast (parts cost more than a new iron). I fixed the one with the cord. I was in the back room (the shop) when the lady came in to pick it up. The guy working the register yelled at me that she was there to pick her iron up. I threw the junk iron out into the isle, and it crashed to the floor and bounced around. He, being a cool guy, picked it up and told the customer it would be $5.95 for the repair. She timidly asked if he was sure it was OK after being tossed on the floor. He said, "Oh sure, these things are indestructible." We were both trying to hold down our laughter as the lady pulled out her purse to pay. After I came out and told her I'd sent out the wrong iron, I felt so bad, I plugged it in and demonstrated that it worked fine.
We were always playing cruel jokes on customers when the boss wasn't around.

LWJ · 01-10-2025, 09:09 PM

Hey Fanaudical,

Here is the link: https://www.repairpdx.org/

If you want to come, they would be happy to have you. I'm dragging my wife's cousin along. He is pretty hilarious. If we can't fix it, we can make you laugh about your clapped out toaster oven.

I suspect it will be loads of absolute garbage. I am bringing my multimeter and some random miracle working stuff.

Thanks all!

HobieMarty · 01-10-2025, 10:04 PM

This is all you need.

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LWJ · 01-11-2025, 03:24 AM

^^^Got it covered. Thanks.

id10t · 01-11-2025, 04:07 AM

If you have one a small air compressor would be a good and handy thing to have... inflate tires, blow crap out, etc.

Edit to add - same wiht maybe a small generator or an inverter you can run off your car. Hard to fix/diagnose 110v stuff without a 110v power source...

LWJ · 01-11-2025, 08:06 AM

^^^Good call!

LWJ · 01-11-2025, 03:59 PM

Well, here is a report back.

It was an absolute MADHOUSE!

Crowded. Loud. Hot. We served over 80 people with far more than 100 individual items.

I Personally fixed / rewired multiple lights. A hedge lopper. I bullet blender. A dustbuster. A humidifier (that the person forgot how to operate!) Some other junk I don't recall.

The only thing I declared terminal was a hand held blow dryer that had been dropped and was simply done.

It was interesting and fast paced. I worked my butt off. It is interesting how there are different types of people. Most folks thought I was some sort of trades guy or something. (I'm not). My wife asked how many people thanked me. Maybe none? They did show gratitude but I don't recall hearing "thank you" once.

The dustbuster person was a "difficult" person. And, her fix needed a solder job. I purposely didn't bring my soldering iron. I handed this off to the so called expert. He managed to F the whole thing up and tried to blame me a bit. So much for experts. As for me? I was very pleased that I dodged that bullet.

I brought my cousin as he is a handy sort of fellow. He was highly amused. I don't think he will come back. I think the people annoyed him with their incompetence and / or stupidity.

Summary. I helped keep a bunch of junk out of the landfill. It was interesting. Probably will do this again.

LEAKYSEALS951 · 01-11-2025, 04:15 PM

Wow!!!

I was interested in what would show up.
Glad it was productive.

Personally, I was afraid everyone would bring in broke roku's or smashed I phone 16's or something. Good to know you could help.

I was going to jokingly suggest you bring a smart phone with YT and PPOT connectivity...but it sounds like you did okay.

If I were to show up, I'd bring and oxyacetylene blow torch, a bottle of whiskey, and a ****eload of silver solder!

LWJ · 01-11-2025, 04:51 PM

^^^Hey Leaky? Are you local? There will be more. It seems people like us are not very common.

LEAKYSEALS951 · 01-11-2025, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LWJ

^^^Hey Leaky? Are you local? There will be more. It seems people like us are not very common.

LOL

Well, if Virginia is local, I'll be right over!

(perhaps between the swath of us we can fix the USA!)

masraum · 01-11-2025, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LWJ

Well, here is a report back.

It was an absolute MADHOUSE!

Crowded. Loud. Hot. We served over 80 people with far more than 100 individual items.

I Personally fixed / rewired multiple lights. A hedge lopper. I bullet blender. A dustbuster. A humidifier (that the person forgot how to operate!) Some other junk I don't recall.

The only thing I declared terminal was a hand held blow dryer that had been dropped and was simply done.

It was interesting and fast paced. I worked my butt off. It is interesting how there are different types of people. Most folks thought I was some sort of trades guy or something. (I'm not). My wife asked how many people thanked me. Maybe none? They did show gratitude but I don't recall hearing "thank you" once.

The dustbuster person was a "difficult" person. And, her fix needed a solder job. I purposely didn't bring my soldering iron. I handed this off to the so called expert. He managed to F the whole thing up and tried to blame me a bit. So much for experts. As for me? I was very pleased that I dodged that bullet.

I brought my cousin as he is a handy sort of fellow. He was highly amused. I don't think he will come back. I think the people annoyed him with their incompetence and / or stupidity.

Summary. I helped keep a bunch of junk out of the landfill. It was interesting. Probably will do this again.

Very cool, and congrats, sounds like it went well and was fulfilling.

So by appliances, I guess it was counter top appliances. My mind went to large appliances, and I was wondering how that would work.

LEAKYSEALS951 · 01-11-2025, 05:04 PM

^thats funny, I thought the same thing and was thinking...

(with a google search of course)
Whirlpool 3304... must be a main circuit board...used go for $100 bucks, I'll get one off ebay, and meet you in the parking lot next week behind the Arby's....