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.
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 Fingal Makerspace Repair Café. Together, we can build a more sustainable future and celebrate the power of repair!
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.
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.
Conclusion:
The Vanmoof bicycle is back up and running and fully functional again. It was well worth the time.
Thanks to all TOG members who helped out with advice, I am in no way an expert on this.
The EPA’s national Circular Economy Conference will be held at the Aviva Stadium on 27 September. This hybrid event will be an opportunity to learn about recent developments in the circular economy and the opportunities and challenges in implementing a circular economy in Ireland.
Our own Jeffrey Roe will be speaking at the conference in the afternoon session on Local Circular Solutions. Jeffrey will be covering the work and the impact of our Repair cafes.
Repair Cafes are community-driven initiatives that promote repair and reuse as essential components of a circular economy. Through these cafes, individuals can learn how to repair household items, electronics, and various other possessions, thereby extending their lifespan and reducing the environmental footprint associated with consumerism. Jeffrey will undoubtedly share inspiring stories and insights about how our Repair Cafes have not only contributed to waste reduction but have also fostered a sense of community and empowerment among participants.
As the summer comes to an end we wanted to share with you our member’s garden activities. We are not just interested in technology around here. Below are photos from our members on a range of different fruit and vegetables grown.
One of our members came to lockpicking night with a problem. Their 1980s pride and joy motor had a passenger door locked. So easy to open? Well, there was also the problem that this door has no keyhole. Not wanting to break the lock and damage the car, the member took it to Conor the host of our lockpicking group night. After a little study and poking around with the mechanism, the door opened to many happy faces.
If you are interested in exploring the world of lockpicking, please drop by our bi-weekly Thursday night sessions.
