Repair Cafe At The Beta Festival

Do you have broken items at-home – clothes, small appliances, toys, electronics?

No need to throw them away!
Save your things from the landﬁll and your wallet from having to replace them.

Bring them to our repair café and learn how to ﬁx them together with our volunteers. We have tools, materials, space to work on your item, and repair experts who will help you with your repair.

Our next repair cafe takes place as part of the Beta Festival. Beta is a new festival of art and technology critically engaging with the impact of emerging technologies on society. Taking Ireland’s role as a central node in today’s wired world as a starting point, Beta will showcase and celebrate Ireland’s research and artistic communities through a combination of creativity, debate and experimentation.

The festival will take place November 2nd – 5th 2023 with the exhibition that opens as part of it continuing in The Digital Hub and the National College of Art and Design (NCAD) for a further two weeks until November 19th.

A repair cafe is a community gathering place where people can bring their broken items, such as appliances, clothing, bicycles, or electronics, to be repaired by skilled volunteers for free. The idea behind repair cafes is to promote sustainability and reduce waste by encouraging people to repair and reuse their belongings instead of throwing them away.

At a repair cafe, visitors can learn how to repair their items themselves or watch and learn from the volunteers. Repair cafes also offer a social atmosphere where people can connect with others who share their interest in repairing, reducing waste, and promoting sustainability.

Our passionate team of skilled volunteers will be on hand to help you fix everything from electronics and appliances to furniture and clothing, all while sharing valuable repair skills and promoting a sustainable lifestyle.

At our Repair Café , you can:

Learn essential repair techniques from our expert makers and volunteers
Discover the joy of fixing things and reducing waste in a collaborative, community-focused environment
Connect with like-minded individuals who are passionate about sustainability and the maker movement

So grab your broken treasures and join us for a day of mending, learning, and connection at Tog Hackerspace Repair Café in the Digital Hub. Together, we can build a more sustainable future and celebrate the power of repair!

If we can’t fix your items, we will do our best to make suggestions on where to get spare parts or the best recycling options for you to continue your journey of repair.

What objects can you bring in?

Clothes and accessories
Toys
Small electrical appliances and electronics
Small furniture
… and many other things!
Safety (PAT) testing for electrical devices will be available.

Where? – iD8 Studio at The Digital Hub, 0-13 Thomas St, The Liberties, Dublin 8, D08 EY05, Map Here
When? – Sunday, November 5th, 12 pm – 3 pm
Admission is free – all are welcome!

If you would like to be a fixer, drop us an email.

13/10/202302/11/2023

Build Your Own Satellite Ground Station

Are you fascinated by space and want to learn how to receive data from satellites and weather probes? Join us in this TinyGS Station Workshop where you’ll build and program your ground station and antenna to receive data from space. This hands-on, beginner-friendly workshop is perfect for anyone interested in radio, electronics, IOT, antenna design, and space exploration.

About TinyGS: TinyGS is an open community-run network of Ground Stations distributed around the world to receive and operate LoRa satellites, weather probes and other flying objects, using cheap and versatile modules. With a TinyGS ground station, you can receive data from a variety of sources, such as CubeSats.

What You’ll Learn: During the workshop, you’ll learn how to build and program a TinyGS ground station and a quarter-wave ground plane antenna. No prior experience is required, and we’ll provide all the necessary materials, tools, and equipment to guide you through the process.

Materials Provided: All necessary materials, tools, and equipment will be provided for the workshop, including a quarter-wave ground plane antenna kit, a TinyGS base station kit, and a USB cable. You don’t need to bring anything except a WiFi device(computer or phone) configure and create a Telegram account. At the end of the workshop, you’ll take home your very own TinyGS ground station and antenna. You’ll be able to use your ground station to receive data from satellites and other flying objects and explore the fascinating world of space and radio. If you have any questions or want to continue learning after the workshop, we’re here to help.

Morning Session – Sold Out

Date: Sunday 12th of November 11am to 1pm

Location: Tog Hackerspace, Unit 1B Motor City, Kylemore Road, Dublin 12, D12 CF6V

Cost: €80 plus fees. Profit from ticket sales goes to fund Tog.

Ticket Link: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/build-your-own-satellite-ground-station-tickets-737831222047

Afternoon Session

Date: Sunday 12th of November 2pm to 4pm

Location: Tog Hackerspace, Unit 1B Motor City, Kylemore Road, Dublin 12, D12 CF6V

Cost: €80 plus fees. Profit from ticket sales goes to fund Tog.

Ticket Link: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/build-your-own-satellite-ground-station-afternoon-session-tickets-750618739857

This event is to coincide with Science Week which runs from 12-19 of November. Events are happening all over the country. Visit scienceweek.ie for more.

10/10/202310/10/2023

Interview On Newstalk Radio

We are thrilled to share some fantastic news. Our very own member, Jeffrey Roe, took the airwaves by storm this morning on Newstalk Radio’s Breakfast show! 🎉

Jeffrey’s passion for sustainability and his dedication to combatting e-waste was front and centre during his interview. He discussed how Tog Hackerspace is making a real impact by hosting Repair Cafes in our community. 🌍💪

🔊 You can catch Jeffrey’s insightful interview starting at the 33-minute mark in the radio clip linked below:

https://link.goloudplayer.com/s/pGXkNtPCiNHM

We invite you to fast forward to 33 minutes into the broadcast to hear about the incredible work we are doing at Tog Hackerspace to promote a more sustainable future. 🌱

But that’s not all! 🛠️✨

Mark your calendars for our upcoming Repair Cafe, where you can join us in person to learn, share, and repair together. Our next event is just around the corner, and we can’t wait to see you there!

Repair Cafe at Fingal Makerspace Saturday 21st October https://www.tog.ie/2023/10/repair-cafe-at-fingal-makerspace-2/

Thank you for your continued support as we work to reduce e-waste and make a positive impact on our environment. Together, we can create a brighter, more sustainable future. 💚🌟

01/10/202304/10/2023

Repair Cafe at Fingal Makerspace

We are teaming up with Fingal Makerspace and Make Create Innovate to host a Repair Cafe in Blanchardstown. The aim is to bring together skilled volunteers and community members who want to repair their broken household items.

At our Repair Café , you can:

Learn essential repair techniques from our expert makers and volunteers
Discover the joy of fixing things and reducing waste in a collaborative, community-focused environment
Connect with like-minded individuals who are passionate about sustainability and the maker movement

So grab your broken treasures and join us for a day of mending, learning, and connection at Fingal Makerspace Repair Café. Together, we can build a more sustainable future and celebrate the power of repair!

Date: Saturday 21st October

Time: 11am – 4pm

Location: Fingal Makerspace

More info & Tickets : makecreateinnovate.ie/repair-cafe

The event coincides with International Repair Day.

01/10/202320/10/2023

Togtober: Building Community, One Volunteer at a Time

At Tog Hackerspace, community lies at the core of everything we do. We take immense pride in being a volunteer-driven organisation, where every member plays a pivotal role in shaping our welcoming and innovative environment. In this spirit of community and collaboration, we are thrilled to introduce Togtober – a month dedicated to enhancing our space for the benefit of all.

Our Volunteer-Powered Community

Tog Hackerspace stands out as a truly exceptional place because we have no paid staff or roles. Our community thrives on the dedication and passion of our members who generously contribute their time, skills, and enthusiasm to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. It is this spirit of volunteerism that sets us apart and makes our space genuinely special.

Member-Hosted Group Nights

One of the defining characteristics of our community is our member-hosted group nights. These events offer a platform for members to share their knowledge, collaborate on projects, and nurture a sense of togetherness. Our volunteer hosts go the extra mile to ensure that everyone feels welcome and inspired.

DIY Space Improvements

In the spirit of continuous improvement, Tog Hackerspace has always depended on the hard work and dedication of our members and friends for all our space enhancement projects. We believe that the best way to make our space even better is to do it ourselves, and that is precisely what we have been doing.

Introducing Togtober: A Month of Improvement

This October, we are excited to kick off Togtober – a month dedicated to making Tog Hackerspace an even more vibrant and functional place for our community. Throughout October, every weekend will be dedicated to various space improvement projects. From upgrading equipment to enhancing the layout, we have a range of exciting initiatives in store.

How You Can Get Involved

Togtober wouldn’t be possible without the support of our incredible community. We invite you to join us in making a difference this October. Here’s how you can get involved:

Volunteer Your Time: If you have skills, time, or energy to spare, we welcome your contributions. Whether you’re a seasoned DIY enthusiast or a newbie eager to learn, there’s a place for you at Tog Hackerspace.
Donate Materials: Do you have spare materials or tools lying around that could benefit our projects? We’re always in need of resources to bring our ideas to life.
Share Your Ideas: Have a vision for how we can improve our space? We’re open to new ideas and fresh perspectives. Share your thoughts with us, and let’s brainstorm together.

Join the Togtober Movement

This Togtober, let’s come together as a community to create positive change. We’re excited to see what we can achieve when we pool our skills and resources. Whether you’re a long-time member or someone looking to get involved for the first time, your contribution matters.

Get in touch with us to find out more about our Togtober projects and how you can participate. Let’s make this Togtober a month of growth, connection, and shared accomplishments. Together, we can continue to build a space that reflects the passion and dedication of our incredible Tog Hackerspace community.

To kick things off, we have repainted our entrance way into the space.

22/09/202324/09/2023

Repair Cafe – Vanmoof S3 Dead Battery

At one of our Repair Cafes, we had an electrical bicycle that would not turn on because it had been sitting idle for three months and would not charge. Vanmoof has no repair options since they have gone bankrupt over the last few months and not supplying any spare parts.

With nothing to lose, we started to take the bicycle apart to find out what it’s made of and if it’s serviceable. With little or no documentation on how to take it apart and without specialised tools and security bits we cracked it open.

Issue 1: Unlock The Bicycle

The bicycle needed an app to unlock it, the bicycle would turn on for 1-2 seconds and then turn off. To solve this I used a generic 36v charger and plugged it in to get the smart cartridge to boot up. This allows you to unlock your bicycle and ride as a push bike.

Issue 2: Repairing The Battery – Manual Recharge

The bicycle was not holding any charge in the battery. The battery is located in the bottom rale. You need a specialised tool to remove the wheel however I found if you deflate the wheel and take out 2 bottom screws you can slide the battery out. There was no power coming out of either the charge ports or discharge ports. By connecting the DC benchtop power supply to discharge ports battery started to charge. Voltage when plugged in was 28v. I let it charge up to 36v and then put the battery back into the bicycle.