Fixit Clinic XCIV (#94) at Albany Community Center

Once again, a swingin' time was had by all at this afternoon's Holiday Fixit Clinic at the Albany California Community Center. I didn't get photos of everything we saw but we were busy the whole time. And how often do you get to see Dean Martin with his pants down?

More photos from today's Fixit Clinic are here: https://plus.google.com/photos/111525193946026734520/albums/6092550983857056961?authkey=CNza9eOv_PDFHQ

It's been about a year since we've seen one of these mechanical celebrity dolls, the last one was at Fixit Clinic L (#50) in Santa Cruz when it was Ray Charles:

Back then, as now, the issue was frayed wires resulting from the mechanical gyrations of the doll. It's quite a job getting these guys disassembled to figure that out!

Fixit Clinic XCIII (#93) at Hercules Public Library

Every Fixit Clinic is kind of like an Improv performance: you never know what the participants are going to show up with. Yesterday Fixit Clinic XCIII (#93) at Hercules Public Library was the day of the vacuum cleaners: we saw three or four of them.

Once again, something stuck in the hose, suction is restored!

There was also a Teddy Ruxpin doll that ended up looking like something out of a Terminator movie when the owner was done disassembling it.

Terminator Teddy Ruxpin

See all the photos from this Fixit Clinic here: https://plus.google.com/photos/111525193946026734520/albums/6090087875597331713

Repair Stories on iFixit.com

At Fixit Clinic we believe that people's stories -- what the item meant to them when it was working, how it broke, and how they fixed it -- are the best part of holding these events. We've just discovered this page on iFixit.com's site where they've chronicled lots of people's stories about their repairs; read 'em here: https://www.ifixit.com/story

We've got a couple of our own so far (see the Hello Kitty toaster and Vacuum Cleaner posts). Over time, we hope to amass our own collection of stories about what we've seen.

Vacuum Cleaner Repair Testimonial

Just rediscovered this old gem on the East Bay Mini Maker Faire blog about a vacuum cleaner repair: https://ebmakerfaire.wordpress.com/2012/09/16/springs-spools-and-power-cords-getting-real-at-the-fixit-clinic/

Fixit Coaches Chris Witt and Richard Jesch helping to rewind the power cord/spring on that vacuum.

Holiday Fixit Clinic 2/2: Albany Community Center

One of our favorite locations: we return to the Albany Community Center on Sat. Dec. 13 for the second of two holiday-themed Fixit Clinics: hope to see you there!

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Holiday Fixit Clinic at Albany Community Center

Fix your broken stuff -- Or at least learn more about it disassembling it.

Fixing as Giving: In the spirit of the holidays, The Fixit Clinic Elves will be on hand to spread holiday cheer helping you fix that special item for a loved one (that includes you!)
So bring your broken, non-functioning things -- electronics, appliances, computers, toys, etc.-- for assessment, disassembly, and possible repair.
We'll provide workspace, specialty tools, and guidance to help you disassemble and troubleshoot your item. Whether we fix it or not, you'll learn more about how it was manufactured and how it worked. This is a family-friendly event: children are heartily invited!

WHAT:   Fixit Clinic XCIV (#94) at Albany Community Center http://goo.gl/y2fUS4
WHEN:  Saturday, Dec 13, 2014 12PM-3PM
WHERE: Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin Avenue, Albany, CA, EOC Room (in the basement)
http://www.albanyca.org/index.aspx?page=561&recordid=9665
HOW:      Bring: 1) your broken or non-working thing (carry-in only: no
oversize items)
     2) accessories and tools you already own that might be helpful (e.g.
phillips head screwdriver)
     3) any knowledge or advance research you've done on the issue
     4) boxes, bags and/or small containers to organize (and carry away)
parts.
Walk-ins always welcome but please register in advance: http://goo.gl/qTzh9J
COST:   Free!
WHY:     To make friends, learn how things work, and have fun!

www.fixitclinic.org

WANNA HELP OTHERS at Fixit Clinic? Email fixitclinic@gmail.com
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Holiday Fixit Clinic 1/2: Hercules Public Library

We return to the Hercules Public Library on Sat. Dec. 6 for a holiday-themed Fixit Clinic, we'll have another the following Saturday at the Albany Community Center. Hope to see you there!

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Holiday Fixit Clinic at Hercules Public Library

Fix your broken stuff -- Or at least learn more about it disassembling it.

Fixing as Giving: In the spirit of the holidays, The Fixit Clinic Elves will be on hand to spread holiday cheer helping you fix that special item for a loved one (that includes you!)
So bring your broken, non-functioning things -- electronics, appliances, computers, toys, etc.-- for assessment, disassembly, and possible repair.
We'll provide workspace, specialty tools, and guidance to help you disassemble and troubleshoot your item. Whether we fix it or not, you'll learn more about how it was manufactured and how it worked. This is a family-friendly event: children are heartily invited!

WHAT:   Fixit Clinic XCIII (#93) at Hercules Public Library http://goo.gl/jPCJ8x
WHEN:  Saturday, Dec 6, 2014 2PM-5PM
WHERE: Hercules Public Library, 109 Civic Drive, Hercules, CA 94547 http://ccclib.org/locations/hercules.html
HOW:      Bring: 1) your broken or non-working thing (carry-in only: no
oversize items)
     2) accessories and tools you already own that might be helpful (e.g.
phillips head screwdriver)
     3) any knowledge or advance research you've done on the issue
     4) boxes, bags and/or small containers to organize (and carry away)
parts.
Walk-ins always welcome but please register in advance here: http://goo.gl/qTzh9J
COST:   Free!
WHY:     To make friends, learn how things work, and have fun!

www.fixitclinic.org

WANNA HELP OTHERS at Fixit Clinic? Email fixitclinic@gmail.com
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Roy Repairs Rice Cooker at Hercules Public Library

Another satisfied Fixit Clinic participant!

MIT Edgerton Center Video

Here's a professionally produced video on Youtube about the MIT Edgerton Center where we hold our Cambridge, MA Fixit Clinics:

We're proud to have Fixit Clinics as part of the MIT Edgerton Center's programming, we'd like to hold more of them there going forward.

Hello Kitty Toaster Testimonial

We see a ton of toasters at Fixit Clinics and fix the vast majority of them. Here's one story of a Hello Kitty toaster we saw at the 2014 East Bay Mini Maker Faire, as told by its owner:

"Shortly after I met Susan, she found my broken Hello Kitty toaster in a dark corner of my kitchen. She offered to fix it for me, to satisfy her love for all things mechanical and—I want to believe—to show her love for me. Hello Kitty toaster went home with her shortly thereafter and stayed with her for a long time. Two years went by while our relationship grew and we planned our future lives. Susan applied to graduate school and got accepted. Meanwhile, Hello Kitty toaster gathered dust in her Minneapolis apartment. When we packed her things to leave, the toaster, still broken, surfaced again. “We should just throw this away, right?”  I asked. “No!” Susan replied emphatically. “I’m going to fix it for you,” she declared. Hello Kitty toaster got stuffed in a box with a tangle of multi-colored computer cords, an eggbeater and a dozen mismatched socks and drove east across the country. 

"I finished my studies in the Midwest while Susan earned her degree out East. Two years went by. Hello Kitty toaster gathered more dust in her New York apartment. We agreed to move together to Merced where Susan was offered a job. Hello Kitty toaster went back in a box with computer cords and socks and drove West across the country to California’s great Central Valley. When I arrived a few months later, I tasked myself with organizing our new, shared household. Sorting through boxes of books, tools, hats, bowls, board games and bicycle parts, Hello Kitty toaster surfaced again, even more dirty and dusty and sadly, still broken. “Seriously? After four years and two cross-country trips, can’t we get rid of this toaster?” I asked again. “No. I’m going to fix it,” Susan insisted. 

"We settled in. Susan advanced in her new job and eventually I got a job, too. We visited Yosemite, Sequoia National Park, Monterrey Bay, Big Sur and Muir Woods. I got promoted. Susan got promoted. Another two years went by. In September 2014, Susan announced she bought tickets to the Mini-Maker Faire in Oakland. “And, Hello Kitty toaster is coming with,” she added. “We’re going to the Fix-It Clinic at the Faire to finally fix the toaster!” We couldn’t wait for the day to arrive. When it did, Hello Kitty toaster went into the car once more to make the shortest of its many road trips—just two hours up Highway 99, over the Altamonte Pass and down into the gleaming Bay Area. 

Fixit Coach Richard Jesch with our two heroines and their just-repaired toaster

"At the Fix-it Clinic, Susan and I gently disassembled the filthy toaster, lifting the kitty-faced cover to expose the fragile, naked slots for bread and a strange assembly of wires and springs and electrodes and chips. A soft-spoken man offered his help in diagnosing the problem. We explained that the lever used to lower the bread into the toasting chamber didn’t hold down the bread anymore. To diagnose the cause of this problem, he guided us through an inspection of the mechanical parts of the toaster first, lifting something up, pushing something down, to see what various pieces did. We found a misplaced metal rod and a crooked plastic brace but righting these pieces didn’t fix the lever. He suggested we test the electronic parts of the toaster next. He pointed out a tiny round object and identified it as an electromagnet. “That’s what holds the lever down,” he explained. “There should be a thermometer somewhere that tells the magnet to release the lever when the toasting elements reach a certain temperature. Look for a wire with a blobby end on that green board.” Susan and I bumped foreheads squinting over the tiny board. I noticed a black blob at the tip of a pair of wires and pointed it out to our Fix-It Clinician. “Good eye! That’s the thermometer,” he said. Then he handed Susan copper clamps with a red and a black handle and directed her to attach each to a particular part of the toaster guts. He turned a knob on a machine with a gauge and we read him the number on which the red needle landed. At first the needle didn’t move which could mean the electromagnet is dead, he explained. He instructed Susan to attach the clamps to other components of the toaster guts. He turned the knob and we watched the needle again and again. Finally, we determined that electricity was flowing to the necessary destinations and the magnet still worked. But we couldn’t determine what was the problem. Hello Kitty toaster seemed to have us stumped. 

"Susan wasn’t going to be defeated however. She started examining a little square piece of plastic attached to the lever assembly. She moved it up and down, up and down with a puzzled look on her face. “I wonder if … ah ha!” She pushed the square up until it stayed in place. Steadying the whole toaster with one hand, she carefully pushed down the pink lever with one finger on the opposite hand. When the lever hit the bottom of its track, she slowly withdrew her finger and—the lever stayed in place. “Is it fixed?” I asked in disbelief. Susan pushed the lever down again and while we held our breath, pulled her finger away. The lever stayed down! 

"All three of us shouted in triumph. We traded high-fives with everyone in the Clinic. One hundred and twenty minutes, six years and not quite six thousand miles later, Hello Kitty toaster was finally fixed. Susan finally fulfilled her promise, our problem intrigued the Fix-It Clinician and we all learned some fascinating things about toaster technology. Now the toaster is back on our kitchen counter happily serving up kitty-faced toast.

"Thank you Fix-It Clinic for a fun and rewarding experience. 

Sincerely,
Sara &  Susan"

In case you ever wondered why we do these Fixit Clinics: it's for stories like these. We'll be asking more participants to share their Fixit Clinic stories at future events.

And if you're looking to fix your own toaster: bring it to one of our upcoming events. No event near you? Try the iFixit online repair guide we've contributed to here: https://www.ifixit.com/Wiki/Toaster_Troubleshooting , let us know where it needs work.

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UPDATE: We recently received this followup email and photo:

"Hi-

We finally bought some white bread, here's the proof that the toaster is fixed!

Thanks so much we really enjoyed the Fixit Clinic experience!!

-Sara and Susan"

Photos from Fixit Clinic XCII (#92) in Athens, OH

Photos from Fixit Clinic XCII (#92) in Athens, OH on Nov 15, 2015 are on Facebook here:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.600019423436963.1073741845.103144986457745&type=1

It's great to see the events that Zachary Holl and Reuse Industries are holding! Their next events will be in February and March.

Photos from Fixit Clinic XCI (#91) in Brooklyn Park, MN

Photos from Fixit Clinic XCI (#91) in Brooklyn Park, MN are on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.848844935147580.1073741851.219229514775795&type=1

Nancy Lo and her crew from Hennepin Environment are just humming along!

Video from Fixit Clinic XC (#90) in Boulder, CO

Here's a short video showing the goings on at Fixit Clinic XC (#90) in Boulder CO: many thanks to Wayne for his herculean efforts in getting this going!

We'd like to have all Fixit Clinics broadcast live, with the added capability of remote Fixit Coaches on call to augment the on-site expertise.

Fixit Clinic (LXXXIX) #89 The Plains, OH

Zach Holl at Reuse Industries just shared these photos from their inaugural fixing event in The Plains, Ohio, see all the photos from the event here: https://plus.google.com/photos/111525193946026734520/albums/6075310223322112817?authkey=CO6727eqguP2nwE  

We're thrilled to have helped get Zach's efforts to launch, we're looking forward to helping out in any way we can with future events.

They're having another follow-up event on Nov 15 in Athens, Ohio: sign up for that from here: (URL here: https://sites.google.com/site/reuseathensohio/home/new-reuse-fixer-space/fix-it-workshops) 

Fixit Clinic LXXXVIII (#88) at East Bay Mini Maker Faire

We always have a good time at the East Bay Mini Maker Faire, we've been at all five of them thus far. A few of us typically set up the Saturday before the all-day Sunday event. This year I tried creating a Google+ Hangout on Air but the bandwidth at the school wouldn't support it.

Many thanks to all the Fixit Coaches who made this another memorable day!

See all the photos from today on our Google+ page here: https://plus.google.com/photos/111525193946026734520/albums/6072133434540019953?authkey=CJubi66jiseyDQ

Fixit Clinic LXXXVII (#87) Cambridge, MA 2014-09-27

Photos from our our fourth Cambridge, MA repair event and our 87th Fixit Clinic overall are on our Google+ page here:
https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/111525193946026734520/albums/6063950229988228305

As always, it was a hectic but satisfying day of fixing!

We also tried an experiment of creating a Google+ Hangout on Air so that remote Fixit Coaches (and Fixit Voyeurs) could telepresence into the event, but the results for that were less satisfying:

1) Without a dedicated person manning the camera/laptop the event was otherwise so busy that remote participants are essentially parked in the corner. My hope was that we could actively engage them in the event.

2) The audio quality is poor, partially because the room is so echo-y.

3) At this point, remote participants only get an overview of the event, it'd be great to be able to actively engage them in ongoing repair, keep a running commentary of what transpires.

4) Power to my laptop failed during the hangout, resulting in two separate videos (I couldn't figure out how to connect to the existing stream.)

If you want to look at the videos, they're on our Fixit Clinic youtube page here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEee22JmTEi8OJI9ZxaN0YQ

Fixit Clinic at City of Cambridge, MA Inaugural Repair Event

We've held several Fixit Clinics in Cambridge, Massachusetts at MIT in the past. The first repair event being sponsored by the City of Cambridge Department of Public Works is this Saturday, September 27, and we're planning to be there to help out. See details here: https://www.facebook.com/CambridgeRepairCafe

A Big Day of Fixing at Recology in San Carlos

A great bunch of Fixit Coaches convened at Recology at the Shoreway Environmental Center in San Carlos today for Fixit Clinic LXXXV (#85.)
It was one of our top five busiest days, the event had been promoted heavily throughout San Mateo County and the turnout was large. The Fixit Coaches were up to the task, fixing a wide variety of things. Afterwards, Facility Operations Manager Hilary Gans gave us a private tour of their highly automated waste handing facility: that was fascinating. Many thanks to Recology, TechShop, and, of course, RethinkWaste for sponsoring our inaugural SF Peninsula Fixit Clinic!
See photos on our Google+ page here: https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/111525193946026734520/albums/6040529590227871073

Fixit Clinic at Swap-O-Rama-Rama

We've been wanting to weave more fabric and clothing troubleshooting and repair into Fixit Clinic.
Fixit Coach Cecelia "CC" Clark kindly organized for us to participate in this month's Swap-O-Rama-Rama where Chris, Peter and Roy got a schooling from her and the other SORR volunteers on maintenance and repair of sewing machines and sergers. Photos from the event are on our Google+ page here: https://plus.google.com/photos/111525193946026734520/albums/6038174833804472209

Another Fixit Success Story

My wife just got this from a friend of her's:

Please pass on a big “THANKS!” to Steve for inspiring me to fix my microwave.   

I may have mentioned this to you, but I broke the latch on the microwave oven door.  Of course, first thought for me is to call someone to fix it.  Repair guy came out on a Saturday and said he’d have to check and see if I’d need a whole new door or just the latch piece. He said he’d call back on Monday. 

In the mean time, I looked up the part info online and found the latch for about $15.  The repair guy didn’t call back on Monday, so I ordered the part.  He finally did call back on Tuesday and told me that the latch part was back-ordered and wouldn’t be in until October!! But, if I wanted to get a whole new door, he could have one by the first part of August.  I told him no thanks, and the part that I ordered on Monday arrived on Friday.
I successfully took apart the door and replaced the latch.  I don’t think I would have thought about doing it myself if I hadn’t been inspired by Steve.

Also, my husband came home from a business trip on Sunday, and we wanted to BBQ for dinner. We had to replace propane tank on our BBQ because it had run out of gas. He couldn’t get it to work (he has replaced the tanks many times in the past), but he didn’t want to mess with it so we cooked on the stove.  Next day I fixed that also!

I’m becoming Mrs. Fixit!

2014-06-21 Fixit Clinic LXXXIV (#84), St. Alban's Church

Photos from Fixit Clinic LXXXIV (#84) at St. Alban's Church in Albany are on Google+ here: https://plus.google.com/photos/111525193946026734520/albums/6028135544127189425
and on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.715320475180583.1073741849.143672372345399&type=1
We all had a great time!
Our next scheduled Fixit Clinic is July 26, 2014 at the Shoreway Recycling Center in San Carlos. If you're interested in helping others at this event by being a Fixit Coach please email fixitclinic@gmail.com.

Call for Fixit Coaches: July 26 in San Carlos

We’re holding a Fixit Clinic Saturday, July 26 at Recology's Shoreway Environmental Center in San Carlos. We’d love to have interested people help others with troubleshooting their broken stuff: email fixitclinic@gmail.com if you can help. Either way: please bring your family and friends with their broken things to the actual event!

See the text-based announcement below, feel free to forward it on to anyone you think might be interested in attending: as either a “Fixit Coach” or a participant. Register on Eventbrite as a participant (not a Fixit Coach) here: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/rethinkwastes-1st-fixit-clinic-tickets-11934858483

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Fixit Clinic LXXXV (#85) - Shoreway Environmental Center

Fix your broken stuff -- Or at least learn more about it disassembling it.

Bring your broken, non-functioning things: electronics, appliances, computers, toys, etc. for assessment, disassembly, and possible repair. We'll provide workspace, specialty tools, and guidance to help you disassemble and troubleshoot your item. Whether we fix it or not, you'll learn more about how it was manufactured and how it worked. This is a family-friendly event: children are heartily invited!

WHAT: Fixit Clinic LXXXV (#85) at Shoreway Environmental Center

WHEN: Saturday, July 26, 11AM-2PM

WHERE: Recology Shoreway Environmental Center, Building 6, 225 Shoreway Rd, San Carlos, CA 94070 http://rethinkwaste.org/shoreway-facility/map

HOW: Bring: 1) your non-working thing (carry-in only, no oversize items)

2) any tools you already own that might be helpful

3) any knowledge or advance research you've done on the issue 

4) boxes, bags and/or small containers to carry away parts

WHY: To make friends, learn how things work, and have fun!

URL: Register on Eventbrite here: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/rethinkwastes-1st-fixit-clinic-tickets-11934858483

Sponsored by South Bayside Waste Management Authority (www.rethinkwaste.org) and RecycleWorks (www.RecycleWorks.org)

www.fixitclinic.org

Facebook: "Like" Fixit Clinic: https://www.facebook.com/FixitClinic

Join the Fixit Clinic Mailing List: http://groups.google.com/group/fixitfan

Google+: Add Fixit Clinic to your circles and join the Fixit Clinic Community: https://plus.google.com/u/0/b/111525193946026734520/

https://plus.google.com/b/111525193946026734520/communities/115532798716830349634

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FIXIT COACHES WANTED: want to help at this event? Email fixitclinic@gmail.com

Fixit Clinic LXXXIV (#84) Jun 21 at St. Alban's Church, Albany, CA

Fixit Clinic LXXXIV (#84) - St. Alban's Church

Fix your broken stuff -- Or at least learn more about it disassembling it.

Bring your broken, non-functioning things: electronics, appliances, computers, toys, etc. for assessment, disassembly, and possible repair. We'll provide workspace, specialty tools, and guidance to help you disassemble and troubleshoot your item. Whether we fix it or not, you'll learn more about how it was manufactured and how it worked. This is a family-friendly event: children are heartily invited!

WHAT: Fixit Clinic LXXXIV (#84) at St. Alban's Church, Albany, CA

WHEN: Saturday, June 21, 1PM-4PM 

WHERE: St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 1501 Washington Avenue, Albany CA 94706 http://www.st-albans-albany.org/

HOW: Bring: 1) your non-working thing (carry-in only, no oversize items)

2) any tools you already own that might be helpful

3) any knowledge or advance research you've done on the issue 

4) boxes, bags and/or small containers to carry away parts

WHY: To make friends, learn how things work, and have fun!

URL: http://www.st-albans-albany.org/

www.fixitclinic.org

Facebook: "Like" Fixit Clinic:https://www.facebook.com/FixitClinic

Join the Fixit Clinic Mailing List: http://groups.google.com/group/fixitfan

Join the Fixit Clinic Community: https://plus.google.com/b/111525193946026734520/communities/115532798716830349634

Google+: Add Fixit Clinic to your circles: https://plus.google.com/u/0/b/111525193946026734520/

Wanna be a Fixit Coach at this event? Email peter@fixitclinic.org

A Photo Chronicle of Fixit Clinic LXXXI (#81) at EcoCycle in Boulder, CO on Saturday, May 10 2014