Don't despair, repair
June 17, 2013 12:59 PM Subscribe
The Restart Project encourages community engagement in repairing broken electronic equipment. This one year old charity enables "restart parties" which bring together consumers with broken electronic equipment and volunteer repairers, in an attempt to address our modern culture of "passive, flabby consumers of technology". When recycling is the second best option.
Oh god I would LOVE if one of these was in New York somewhere. I like to keep my old electronics as long as possible (I only got rid of one lamp when the toggle switch actually started shooting out flames when I turned it on) but never know what to do when there are glitches that seem like they'd be easy to fix if only I knew what to do.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 1:11 PM on June 17, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 1:11 PM on June 17, 2013 [1 favorite]
I love this idea. A friend of mine who is a historical preservationist by trade and a tinkerer at heart runs a similar program here in Chicago called Community Glue Workshop. One of those projects that makes you wonder why it doesn't happen in every city.
posted by deliciae at 1:11 PM on June 17, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by deliciae at 1:11 PM on June 17, 2013 [2 favorites]
"flabby?"
posted by edheil at 1:12 PM on June 17, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by edheil at 1:12 PM on June 17, 2013 [1 favorite]
"flabby?"
Presumably in the sense of "lacking force or vitality; ineffectual".
posted by walrus at 1:14 PM on June 17, 2013 [2 favorites]
Presumably in the sense of "lacking force or vitality; ineffectual".
posted by walrus at 1:14 PM on June 17, 2013 [2 favorites]
This is great but isn't this the same thing as the Repair Cafe movement, which has been around for a few years?
posted by vacapinta at 1:27 PM on June 17, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by vacapinta at 1:27 PM on June 17, 2013 [1 favorite]
I just know that a lot of the stuff that "breaks" in my house merely needs someone knowledgable enough to look at it for a moment and say, "Oh, yah, you just need to fribble that throgulator. Gimme something pointy, it'll only take a sec." And then it will roar back into life.
posted by wenestvedt at 1:27 PM on June 17, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by wenestvedt at 1:27 PM on June 17, 2013 [2 favorites]
It's not really fair to blame consumers here when most consumer products are designed to not be fixable.
posted by octothorpe at 1:29 PM on June 17, 2013 [9 favorites]
posted by octothorpe at 1:29 PM on June 17, 2013 [9 favorites]
YAY! No one, I repeat, no one in this area will fix my DVD/VHS player (it's the DVD part that's broken).
And what octothorpe said.
And wenestvedt.
And everyone else in this thread. Thanks for posting it.
posted by Melismata at 1:34 PM on June 17, 2013
And what octothorpe said.
And wenestvedt.
And everyone else in this thread. Thanks for posting it.
posted by Melismata at 1:34 PM on June 17, 2013
This is great but isn't this the same thing as the Repair Cafe movement, which has been around for a few years?
I wasn't aware of that, but maybe a little different in that it is focussed on electronic goods, and they also do talks, and are apparently going to start up events for businesses as well.
posted by walrus at 1:53 PM on June 17, 2013
I wasn't aware of that, but maybe a little different in that it is focussed on electronic goods, and they also do talks, and are apparently going to start up events for businesses as well.
posted by walrus at 1:53 PM on June 17, 2013
"Also people have lost trust in commercial repairs. They do not know who to go to and who they can trust, especially when it comes to electronics and electrical goods."
As mentioned, for me, it's not necessarily trust, but a matter of economics.
Most electronic gear just isn't designed to be cost effective to fix. Actually getting to the broken component aside, I've repaired my fair share of irons, hair straighteners, computers, and other household electronics (I used to be a certified Apple repair tech), but for more complex (to me) and unfamiliar repairs like a TV, I usually chuck it. I have brought in TVs for repair estimates and the cost is nearly the same amount as buying a new one.
I could pay $250-$300 to have the TV fixed, or $375-$400 for a new one with the latest bells and whistles and a warranty.
It's probably a safe bet that with today's compact and unfriendly component design, that the bulk of the $250-$300 is labor just to troubleshoot, disassemble and get to the $2.00 component that's busted, but it just doesn't seem to be worth it to me.
posted by Debaser626 at 1:55 PM on June 17, 2013 [4 favorites]
As mentioned, for me, it's not necessarily trust, but a matter of economics.
Most electronic gear just isn't designed to be cost effective to fix. Actually getting to the broken component aside, I've repaired my fair share of irons, hair straighteners, computers, and other household electronics (I used to be a certified Apple repair tech), but for more complex (to me) and unfamiliar repairs like a TV, I usually chuck it. I have brought in TVs for repair estimates and the cost is nearly the same amount as buying a new one.
I could pay $250-$300 to have the TV fixed, or $375-$400 for a new one with the latest bells and whistles and a warranty.
It's probably a safe bet that with today's compact and unfriendly component design, that the bulk of the $250-$300 is labor just to troubleshoot, disassemble and get to the $2.00 component that's busted, but it just doesn't seem to be worth it to me.
posted by Debaser626 at 1:55 PM on June 17, 2013 [4 favorites]
Debaser626: "As mentioned, for me, it's not necessarily trust, but a matter of economics. "
Yea. Electronics repair shops used to be a good part time job for students studying EE. But it's long been the case that it's more cost effective to buy a new thing than attempt to located the failed capacitor.
At this point even computer repair is mostly a volunteer effort, ala the longstanding Free Geek organization. They bill themselves primarily as an educational and outreach organization: learn enough to build 5 working computers and they'll let you keep the 6th one you build.
posted by pwnguin at 2:20 PM on June 17, 2013 [1 favorite]
Yea. Electronics repair shops used to be a good part time job for students studying EE. But it's long been the case that it's more cost effective to buy a new thing than attempt to located the failed capacitor.
At this point even computer repair is mostly a volunteer effort, ala the longstanding Free Geek organization. They bill themselves primarily as an educational and outreach organization: learn enough to build 5 working computers and they'll let you keep the 6th one you build.
posted by pwnguin at 2:20 PM on June 17, 2013 [1 favorite]
Oh man I can repair loudspeakers. I would love for there to be a way to convert my hobbies and interests which are social liabilities into social advantages!
"Hey ladies...the vifa midwoofer in your Dunlavys is no longer in production, but given the simple crossover topology used I think you will be very pleased with the results of some of the new Scanspeak discovery series. Fixing these will be the first order of business for me tomorrow. First order, get it."
"Hey ladies...I could probably find replacements for the dynaco A25 woofer. It comes from simpler times, when capacitors were so expensive that crossover slopes were accomplished through the mechanical design of the drivers rather than electronic means. Let me call up my friend Jorn at Seas and see if he can hook you up."
"Hey ladies...these oblate spheroid waveguides are more for controlling dispersion than increasing efficiency...it's okay, you didn't know that. When you calculate the profile you need to measure the throat exit angle of the compression driver you're using, and no, there's no point in going over 1""
posted by Teakettle at 2:34 PM on June 17, 2013 [5 favorites]
"Hey ladies...the vifa midwoofer in your Dunlavys is no longer in production, but given the simple crossover topology used I think you will be very pleased with the results of some of the new Scanspeak discovery series. Fixing these will be the first order of business for me tomorrow. First order, get it."
"Hey ladies...I could probably find replacements for the dynaco A25 woofer. It comes from simpler times, when capacitors were so expensive that crossover slopes were accomplished through the mechanical design of the drivers rather than electronic means. Let me call up my friend Jorn at Seas and see if he can hook you up."
"Hey ladies...these oblate spheroid waveguides are more for controlling dispersion than increasing efficiency...it's okay, you didn't know that. When you calculate the profile you need to measure the throat exit angle of the compression driver you're using, and no, there's no point in going over 1""
posted by Teakettle at 2:34 PM on June 17, 2013 [5 favorites]
I fixed my busted ikea lamps by googling "fix busted (name of lamp)," which took me to an amazon page for the switch I would need to buy to fix it, complete with instructions in a review of the switch. Saved throwing away two nice lamps, since I had already returned them both without a receipt once before.
posted by toodleydoodley at 3:20 PM on June 17, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by toodleydoodley at 3:20 PM on June 17, 2013 [1 favorite]
toodleydoodley: I fixed my busted ikea lamps by googling "fix busted (name of lamp)," which took me to an amazon page for the switch I would need to buy to fix it, complete with instructions in a review of the switch. Saved throwing away two nice lamps, since I had already returned them both without a receipt once before.
It's often like that, where a single part is poorly designed or made and responsible for the majority of failures. I have a dead monitor I'm almost certain could be repaired with a new power supply, but I'd have to go on the Chinese version of Ebay to get one, and that seems a bit harrowing (but I may try it someday).
posted by Mitrovarr at 3:26 PM on June 17, 2013 [1 favorite]
It's often like that, where a single part is poorly designed or made and responsible for the majority of failures. I have a dead monitor I'm almost certain could be repaired with a new power supply, but I'd have to go on the Chinese version of Ebay to get one, and that seems a bit harrowing (but I may try it someday).
posted by Mitrovarr at 3:26 PM on June 17, 2013 [1 favorite]
I here declare my knowledge-free fixit method:
1. It was working a moment ago, so most likely only ONE thing is broke/messed up.
2. Take it apart carefully. Save the screws in some kind of order (a container for them is necessary). You may need to write some of the disassembly order.
3. Look for:
a - Dirt, dust, foreign objects. Remove all.
b - Cracks/breaks. If you can bridge it, fine. Otherwise, trash.
c - Anything loose (that's lewse to the spelling-challenged). Tighten on the way out.
d- Anything burned. Trash, unless you are not knowledge-free.
e- Disassemble pressure contacts (anything socketed). If the contacts aren't shiny, reasseambe/disassemble a few times to crack the oxidiation layer (=non-shiny contact). Or rub with a key.
4. Even if you find nothing a,b,c,d or e, reassemble in reverse order.
5. Try it. It will likely work. You have at least shown the gremlins you are not to be trifled with.
posted by hexatron at 5:07 PM on June 17, 2013 [8 favorites]
1. It was working a moment ago, so most likely only ONE thing is broke/messed up.
2. Take it apart carefully. Save the screws in some kind of order (a container for them is necessary). You may need to write some of the disassembly order.
3. Look for:
a - Dirt, dust, foreign objects. Remove all.
b - Cracks/breaks. If you can bridge it, fine. Otherwise, trash.
c - Anything loose (that's lewse to the spelling-challenged). Tighten on the way out.
d- Anything burned. Trash, unless you are not knowledge-free.
e- Disassemble pressure contacts (anything socketed). If the contacts aren't shiny, reasseambe/disassemble a few times to crack the oxidiation layer (=non-shiny contact). Or rub with a key.
4. Even if you find nothing a,b,c,d or e, reassemble in reverse order.
5. Try it. It will likely work. You have at least shown the gremlins you are not to be trifled with.
posted by hexatron at 5:07 PM on June 17, 2013 [8 favorites]
hexatron: 2. Take it apart carefully. Save the screws in some kind of order (a container for them is necessary). You may need to write some of the disassembly order.
Old farmer/tinkerer trick is to use ice cube trays with each well labeled with a sharpie. Screws go into numbered wells, notepad or labeled masking tape on the part to keep track of what goes where.
posted by nathan_teske at 5:44 PM on June 17, 2013 [5 favorites]
Old farmer/tinkerer trick is to use ice cube trays with each well labeled with a sharpie. Screws go into numbered wells, notepad or labeled masking tape on the part to keep track of what goes where.
posted by nathan_teske at 5:44 PM on June 17, 2013 [5 favorites]
> Old farmer/tinkerer trick is to use ice cube trays with each well labeled with a sharpie. Screws go into numbered wells, notepad or labeled masking tape on the part to keep track of what goes where.
That's so clever, and much cheaper than something I would buy at The Container Store! I love tricks like this that break me out of The Candle Problem.
posted by Monochrome at 6:54 PM on June 17, 2013
That's so clever, and much cheaper than something I would buy at The Container Store! I love tricks like this that break me out of The Candle Problem.
posted by Monochrome at 6:54 PM on June 17, 2013
For larger screws, you can draw a rough sketch of the holes on a piece of paper board (like cereal box) and poke the screws through it.
also, in 3e, a regular pink pencil eraser is what I was taught to use.
posted by ArgentCorvid at 7:55 PM on June 17, 2013 [1 favorite]
also, in 3e, a regular pink pencil eraser is what I was taught to use.
posted by ArgentCorvid at 7:55 PM on June 17, 2013 [1 favorite]
More tricks for small parts:
Fold a piece of paper in an accordion shape, about 1.5 inches for each segment. Write on this paper and put the parts in the fold
If you are working on watches or something seriously delicate, with tiny, hard to see parts, wear an apron and tuck the lower part of it into your workbench in some manner so that nothing can fall into your lap. Watchmakers' benches are also very high - around upper chest level, so that their face is right on top of the work.
What I do with screws is make little loops of sticky masking tape and stick them onto a piece of paper which I write on. As I take screws out I smoosh them onto the loops of tape. Works well.
If you are working with something that has tensioned springs, especially springs which are of the expanding sort, wear glasses! Seriously, even small springs can fly into your eye.
Also, learn how to solder and heat shrink neatly people, nobody should ever throw a lamp away.
posted by Teakettle at 8:58 PM on June 17, 2013 [1 favorite]
Fold a piece of paper in an accordion shape, about 1.5 inches for each segment. Write on this paper and put the parts in the fold
If you are working on watches or something seriously delicate, with tiny, hard to see parts, wear an apron and tuck the lower part of it into your workbench in some manner so that nothing can fall into your lap. Watchmakers' benches are also very high - around upper chest level, so that their face is right on top of the work.
What I do with screws is make little loops of sticky masking tape and stick them onto a piece of paper which I write on. As I take screws out I smoosh them onto the loops of tape. Works well.
If you are working with something that has tensioned springs, especially springs which are of the expanding sort, wear glasses! Seriously, even small springs can fly into your eye.
Also, learn how to solder and heat shrink neatly people, nobody should ever throw a lamp away.
posted by Teakettle at 8:58 PM on June 17, 2013 [1 favorite]
I have a stack of pink rubbery Ikea ice "cube" (really little flower shapes) trays that I put sets of screws in order of disassembly, upper left to lower right. Reverse for reassembly. Great for Apple stuff.
posted by Hello Dad, I'm in Jail at 3:53 AM on June 22, 2013
posted by Hello Dad, I'm in Jail at 3:53 AM on June 22, 2013
Egg cartons too. Or magnetized dish from NAPA (basically a steel VW hubcap with a speaker magnet in it). I use my phone to take pictures of disassembly steps, and then consult photos to reassemble.
posted by toodleydoodley at 6:03 AM on June 26, 2013
posted by toodleydoodley at 6:03 AM on June 26, 2013
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posted by walrus at 1:00 PM on June 17, 2013 [1 favorite]