Andreas Frisch: Repair Cafés & Maker Scene - Utilize Synergies
Andreas (@repairfox on Twitter and our friendly guide to c-base) discussed how the maker scene and repair groups overlap. The talk and discussion was in German which I sadly don’t speak, however I took these notes from the slides as we went through.
A quick note to begin
There are (sometimes subtle) differences between hackspaces, makerspaces, and FabLabs
- hackerspaces - perhaps more software-centric
- makerspaces - perhaps more focused on creating (electronic) devices
- fablabs - also more focused on making and construction, sometimes with a more commercial/startup-y feel
- sometimes what name is used is just a preference
- more details on the differences can be found online
Benefits to repair groups of linking to the maker scene
- can be source of new skilled volunteers
- can sometimes provide a venue space
- if used as a venue, may provide access to equipment and expert knowledge
- e.g. tools, 3D printers, laser cutters, CNC mills, parts
Benefits for makerspaces of linking to repair groups
- adds extra social value to the space
- gets the space involved with environmental protection and sustainability
- good publicity and may be a means of acquiring members
- good way for members of the space to practice their skills
Existing cooperations
From lists of both, Andreas has mapped the places in Germany where there’s already a link between makerspaces and repair groups
There have been successes and failures in the combined spaces
- positive case
- Repair Cafe Jena started through Hackspace Jena
- Busbau (mobile repair bus) - conversion of city bus into a mobile workshop (more notes on this in this post!)
- negative case
- a location where people turned up at random times expecting free fixes
- frustrating for the members
- how it could have been avoided
- clearer communication in advance
- be able to refer people to a professional repair shop with regular business hours
Ways to foster cooperation
Want to form a link from your repair group to the maker scene?
- try to recruit hackers & makers as repair helpers
- plan joint venture repair events
- usually spaces have a weekly public meeting where you could get the conversation going in person (better to do this way than just contacting electronically)
- hackers can be a little shy, may need persistent persuading
Hacker/maker activities that are good for sustainability and community
- keep using legacy hardware or strip and exploit for parts
- development and use of efficient technologies
- kid’s soldering / making classes
- hardware hacking and upcycling
To add notes, click on the ‘Edit’ button, bottom right
