FREE. NorthWest Free Repair Event

The Bellingham Makerspace is proud to host the NW Free Repair group on the 2nd and 3rd Sunday of each month!

Who we are

We are a group of volunteers who are dedicated to conserving the earth’s resources and decreasing the burden on our overtaxed landfill areas by repairing and rehabilitating broken household items that would otherwise be discarded.

What we do

For any broken or non-functioning item that you can comfortably carry in, we will evaluate it and determine if it can be repaired. Owners must be present and participate during the repair of their items. We will teach you how!! Minors must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

What does it cost

We provide the evaluation and repair services for free. We also supply some basic parts and materials, but if unique repair parts are required (e.g. new motors, circuit boards, wiring harnesses, etc.) then you must purchase them – that is your only cost. Most of our successful repairs require no new parts. You determine if any cost to you is reasonable before we begin the actual repair. Once you obtain the needed parts the repair process is completed in a subsequent repair session.

What we repair

We fix small appliances, kitchen items, tools, electrical items, kids’ toys, bicycles – basically anything you can carry into our sessions other than the restricted items below. While we can’t fix everything, we do have an excellent record of successful repairs. And, what we absolutely cannot fix, we will help you recycle. We cannot store any items for you. We only work within our meeting area — no house calls. NOTE: A few of our volunteers do “handy man” work for pay that is independent of our free repair meetings. Please inquire through the contact tab at the top of our web page: https://nwfreerepairs.wordpress.com/

Restricted Items That We Don’t accept for repair

• Anything containing gasoline or petroleum products
• Items that are leaking fluids
• Grimy, dirty, or hazardous items
• Items having noxious or excessive odors
• Anything that cannot be easily carried e.g. no major appliances, motor vehicles, etc.
• Any items from a commercial business
• Any item that is not appropriate in a public setting

Help Us Help You

One of the dilemmas that we sometimes encounter is being handed a large box of parts with a request that we help reassemble the item. Household items are often easier to take apart than they are to put back together so if you have limited experience in performing repairs, please wait and let us first disassemble the item with you. The sequence of parts during reassembly is usually critical and without first seeing how it came apart, it is difficult or impossible to correctly put it back together. If your curiosity has already led you to dismantle the item, at least be doubly sure that you bring all of the parts that you removed and transport any very small parts in a closed container to make sure that they do not become lost. Lastly bring any owner’s manuals with you especially those with “exploded” views of internal parts.

Important Information

COVID-19: To keep everyone safe; optional masks (can provide), hand sanitizing (at entrances), and social distancing are encouraged at Makerspace. Maximum class size has been reduced to allow for social distancing.

Disclaimer

By purchasing and/or attending this class session, you are agreeing to abide by the Bellingham Makerspace Code of Conduct and signing off on our Waiver of Liability.

Other FAQs

• When and where to arrive? Please arrive 5-15min early for sign-in. Park outside Dick's Sporting Goods. Enter the mall through Dick's, Makerspace is the first on the right.
• Is there an age limit? Kids are welcome with an adult

Other questions? Email us at [email protected]

Host or Publisher Bellingham Makerspace