South Solihull u3a Repair Shed Group
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For People who prefer to
Repair or Restore Rather than Throw Away!
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INTRODUCTION
The Shed opened for business immediately after restrictions eased and is now a regular item on many members monthly calendar. Members of both sexes enjoy repairing their own damaged and broken items plus the opportunity to learn new skills and try out various tools. Plus, of course, the great conversations and tea and biscuits.....
Future plans - a welding demonstration at the special request of Malcolm!
The Shed opened for business immediately after restrictions eased and is now a regular item on many members monthly calendar. Members of both sexes enjoy repairing their own damaged and broken items plus the opportunity to learn new skills and try out various tools. Plus, of course, the great conversations and tea and biscuits.....
Future plans - a welding demonstration at the special request of Malcolm!
Click on any photo below for full-size images.
12th July 2023,
A really exciting stage of the Planters Project as the first unit is assembled and everyone can now see what a solid design it is - thank you Terry.
All the timber has been recycled with old fence posts forming the legs and profiled decking planks making up the side panels.
Unfortunately we are still short of enough decking to finish the second unit so if anyone can help please let Charlie & Jeanine know.
A really exciting stage of the Planters Project as the first unit is assembled and everyone can now see what a solid design it is - thank you Terry.
All the timber has been recycled with old fence posts forming the legs and profiled decking planks making up the side panels.
Unfortunately we are still short of enough decking to finish the second unit so if anyone can help please let Charlie & Jeanine know.
12th July 2023
Phyllis' clock held a surprise which she was unaware of until the mechanism was taken out of its case. This newspaper cutting and photo which included this clock was revealed. The event was "a National Trust jumble sale at Hobbs Moat organised by a Ray Thompson with Barbara Pickford "
Sadly the cutting is not dated.
Phyllis' clock held a surprise which she was unaware of until the mechanism was taken out of its case. This newspaper cutting and photo which included this clock was revealed. The event was "a National Trust jumble sale at Hobbs Moat organised by a Ray Thompson with Barbara Pickford "
Sadly the cutting is not dated.
14th June 2023
The Repair Shed grows in popularity - particularly with the ladies.
They enjoy learning new skills, especially with power tools, so its not just tea & biscuits !!!
The Planters Project is now well underway with an excellent detailed 3D design from Terry to work to.
The Repair Shed grows in popularity - particularly with the ladies.
They enjoy learning new skills, especially with power tools, so its not just tea & biscuits !!!
The Planters Project is now well underway with an excellent detailed 3D design from Terry to work to.
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10th MAY 2023
In addition to welcoming several new members, we started a project to make 2 planting troughs, or 'Planters', for the Bentley Heath Community Centre (more details about this later).
In addition to welcoming several new members, we started a project to make 2 planting troughs, or 'Planters', for the Bentley Heath Community Centre (more details about this later).
15th FEBRUARY 2023
Seven Members met at Terry's house for a special session on 3D printing.
Terry gave a presentation showing how 3D printing evolved from traditional manufacturing, and talked about the kind of thing that can be printed, materials available, capabilities of different types of printer, and so on.
After the theory, the group tackled a practical task; to replace a missing component from a pump-action coffee pot. We saw how the accurate 3D drawing was made, then how that was imported into the 3D printer software. The group watched, fascinated, as the machine sprang into life. 30 minutes later the component was finished - and it fitted perfectly!
Seven Members met at Terry's house for a special session on 3D printing.
Terry gave a presentation showing how 3D printing evolved from traditional manufacturing, and talked about the kind of thing that can be printed, materials available, capabilities of different types of printer, and so on.
After the theory, the group tackled a practical task; to replace a missing component from a pump-action coffee pot. We saw how the accurate 3D drawing was made, then how that was imported into the 3D printer software. The group watched, fascinated, as the machine sprang into life. 30 minutes later the component was finished - and it fitted perfectly!
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Read a full report of the 'Coffee Pot' project here:
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20th JANUARY 2023
This growing group of Repairer's will tackle almost anything.... This month a child's push along Doggie had his wobbly handle secured - ready for the next generation while a 35mm slide viewer lit up once again, a rotten bird table took on a new lease of life and two reluctant heaters were persuaded into action again. Not to mention having to repair Charlie's ratchet screwdriver, so we could do the other repairs!
This growing group of Repairer's will tackle almost anything.... This month a child's push along Doggie had his wobbly handle secured - ready for the next generation while a 35mm slide viewer lit up once again, a rotten bird table took on a new lease of life and two reluctant heaters were persuaded into action again. Not to mention having to repair Charlie's ratchet screwdriver, so we could do the other repairs!
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17th NOVEMBER 2022
In this session we: replaced a frayed starter-chord on a lawnmower, straightened a distorted clip on a pair of braces, fixed a non-working adjuster on a walking pole and re-shaped a bent leg on a pot-stand.
In this session we: replaced a frayed starter-chord on a lawnmower, straightened a distorted clip on a pair of braces, fixed a non-working adjuster on a walking pole and re-shaped a bent leg on a pot-stand.
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11th OCTOBER 2022
In this session we: Spruced-up an old fire extinguisher body (for use as a door-stop); fixed a dodgy switch on a radio/CD/tape player; and freed the handle of an interchangeable bit screwdriver that had an unfortunate encounter with Gorilla Glue. |
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10th AUGUST 2022
In this session we tackled the retractable handle of a suitcase, a extension lead with an intermittent fault and a delicate repair to a TV signal booster with a broken aerial. |
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18th MAY 2022
Charlie gave us a demo of Ultrasonic Cleaning, in which warm water with a specialist detergent is agitated by pulses of ultrasonic sound to release dirt from small items. We cleaned an expanding watch strap. and some pieces of jewelry.
Terry's rusty old barbecue got a solid new base. Members who had not done any riveting before had a go at putting in the rivets. The patch was cut from the case of a defunct dishwasher and the rivets were home made from scrap steel bar, so the repair cost nothing!
Charlie gave us a demo of Ultrasonic Cleaning, in which warm water with a specialist detergent is agitated by pulses of ultrasonic sound to release dirt from small items. We cleaned an expanding watch strap. and some pieces of jewelry.
Terry's rusty old barbecue got a solid new base. Members who had not done any riveting before had a go at putting in the rivets. The patch was cut from the case of a defunct dishwasher and the rivets were home made from scrap steel bar, so the repair cost nothing!
13th APRIL 2022
Delighted to welcome two new recruits to the Repair Shed.
Cherrie brought her childhood Bagatelle set which had seized up and also lost the correct sized balls.
A suitable ball bearing (14mm) was found and some polish and lubrication got it working again for the next generation.
Meanwhile Chris continues the restoration of her plant stand, learning new rust removal skills as she goes.
Delighted to welcome two new recruits to the Repair Shed.
Cherrie brought her childhood Bagatelle set which had seized up and also lost the correct sized balls.
A suitable ball bearing (14mm) was found and some polish and lubrication got it working again for the next generation.
Meanwhile Chris continues the restoration of her plant stand, learning new rust removal skills as she goes.
Chris continued her 'rust busting' at home and her plant stand is back in service and looking good in its smart new coat of black Hammerite
THE REPAIR SHED CONTINUES TO GROW
Recent success stories include a 'Wonky Donkey' with three broken legs which is now recuperating following major surgery, Betty's jewellery box with a broken hinge.
Most recently Chris' unusual 'Dicky Duck' which was put back on its feet by replacing the loose self tapping screws with stronger 'Pop' bind rivets and some epoxy resin adhesive.
Recent success stories include a 'Wonky Donkey' with three broken legs which is now recuperating following major surgery, Betty's jewellery box with a broken hinge.
Most recently Chris' unusual 'Dicky Duck' which was put back on its feet by replacing the loose self tapping screws with stronger 'Pop' bind rivets and some epoxy resin adhesive.
18th AUGUST 2021 - OUR INAUGURAL MEETING
The afternoon meeting was a great success with members exchanging ideas and techniques which we will be using in future projects.
The meeting commenced with a brief tour of The Shed and its facilities then a 'Hints and Tips' session of different types of screws and the correct screw driver to use on each type to avoid damage and make the job easier.
It turns out that we have a talented crew with a wide range of experiences which we will all be sharing in future meetings.
Projects will range from a Bellows Camera with a broken clasp, a child's ride-on Elephant in need of freshening-up and a Lawnmower with dodgy suspension.
The meeting commenced with a brief tour of The Shed and its facilities then a 'Hints and Tips' session of different types of screws and the correct screw driver to use on each type to avoid damage and make the job easier.
It turns out that we have a talented crew with a wide range of experiences which we will all be sharing in future meetings.
Projects will range from a Bellows Camera with a broken clasp, a child's ride-on Elephant in need of freshening-up and a Lawnmower with dodgy suspension.
