South Solihull u3a Repair Shed Group
Coordinator: Charlie Plain-Jones
Email: [email protected]
When: The Wednesday after each Core Meeting
Where: Charlie's shed.
Email: [email protected]
When: The Wednesday after each Core Meeting
Where: Charlie's shed.
INTRODUCTION
The Shed is a regular item on many members monthly calendar. This is not a repair service, you don't drop stuff off for us to repair for you, rather we encourage Members of both sexes to enjoy repairing their own damaged and broken items. This provides the opportunity to learn new skills and try out various tools. Plus, of course, there is great conversations and tea and biscuits.....
FUTURE PLANS
(date t.b.a)
A welding demonstration at the special request of Malcolm!
A welding demonstration at the special request of Malcolm!
RECENT MEETINGS
Click on any photo below for full-size images.
8th JULY 2024
A few members gathered at Bentley Heath Community Centre to install the finished planters. Charlie used his laser-etcher to make a commemorative plaque.
A few members gathered at Bentley Heath Community Centre to install the finished planters. Charlie used his laser-etcher to make a commemorative plaque.
12th JUNE 2024
A very busy and varied meeting in the Shed with Christine's garden clock getting the kiss of life while Kay applied yet another coat of wood preserver to the finished Planters for the BHCC. These now look resplendent with their beautifully turned wooden finials thanks to Terry.
Geoff got to grips with sharpening his garden shears and using the wonders of Gorilla Glue to fix the loose handle permanently.
A donated petrol lawn mower was returned to working order and will be used by Geoff to keep in good order a verge which does not get the attention it deserves these days.
Christine brought along a mini chainsaw attachment for a cordless drill. Both Terry and Charlie agreed that this would certainly need some additional guarding before they would be prepared to use it!
Finally, Betty had brought her 'vintage' Tri-ang Elephant which delighted everyone. A pair of classy solid oak footrests made sure it was safe to use and Betty, who is quite some artist, has to decide whether to repaint it or leave its very original patina.
Either way it is now ready for her new great grandchild!
A very busy and varied meeting in the Shed with Christine's garden clock getting the kiss of life while Kay applied yet another coat of wood preserver to the finished Planters for the BHCC. These now look resplendent with their beautifully turned wooden finials thanks to Terry.
Geoff got to grips with sharpening his garden shears and using the wonders of Gorilla Glue to fix the loose handle permanently.
A donated petrol lawn mower was returned to working order and will be used by Geoff to keep in good order a verge which does not get the attention it deserves these days.
Christine brought along a mini chainsaw attachment for a cordless drill. Both Terry and Charlie agreed that this would certainly need some additional guarding before they would be prepared to use it!
Finally, Betty had brought her 'vintage' Tri-ang Elephant which delighted everyone. A pair of classy solid oak footrests made sure it was safe to use and Betty, who is quite some artist, has to decide whether to repaint it or leave its very original patina.
Either way it is now ready for her new great grandchild!
10th APRIL 2024
Despite the wet weather we had an other well attended session where the main topic was how to remove a 'stubborn' nut or bolt. The demonstration piece was provided by Hannah who's mains powered rotary mower needed a new blade which she had bought but could not remove the old one as the centre bolt would not shift.
Terry explained what Torque is when applying a force to a nut or bolt. However, a socket with an extended bar still would not shift the bolt
Charlie explained why WD40 is not the ideal 'penetrating oil' for helping to release rusted bolts. The demonstration concluded by using a pneumatic Impact Wrench which quickly undid the 13mm bolt when all else had failed.
Despite the wet weather we had an other well attended session where the main topic was how to remove a 'stubborn' nut or bolt. The demonstration piece was provided by Hannah who's mains powered rotary mower needed a new blade which she had bought but could not remove the old one as the centre bolt would not shift.
Terry explained what Torque is when applying a force to a nut or bolt. However, a socket with an extended bar still would not shift the bolt
Charlie explained why WD40 is not the ideal 'penetrating oil' for helping to release rusted bolts. The demonstration concluded by using a pneumatic Impact Wrench which quickly undid the 13mm bolt when all else had failed.
The Immovable Object, Hanna's blade, met the Irresistible Force of an Impact Wrench
13th MARCH 2024
Another well attended meeting where the topic was Soldering and its many repair uses.
Terry did a brilliant job of explaining dos & donts followed by a demonstration repairing the hinge on one of Ann Doyle's Turkish style lanterns.
Charlie then showed how soldering plus the wonders of Heat Shrink Sleeving can repair or extend electrical cables.
Another well attended meeting where the topic was Soldering and its many repair uses.
Terry did a brilliant job of explaining dos & donts followed by a demonstration repairing the hinge on one of Ann Doyle's Turkish style lanterns.
Charlie then showed how soldering plus the wonders of Heat Shrink Sleeving can repair or extend electrical cables.
13th DECEMBER 2023,
In a change to the normal format, members gathered at Terry's place for our Christmas Meeting. We were treated to a demonstration of flat-bed laser cutting. Members got the chance to laser-cut a Christmas decoration to take away with them.
In a change to the normal format, members gathered at Terry's place for our Christmas Meeting. We were treated to a demonstration of flat-bed laser cutting. Members got the chance to laser-cut a Christmas decoration to take away with them.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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.
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.