Fixit Clinic at Fremont Library

On Saturday, the September 29th 2018, the Fremont Library hosted a Fixit clinic from 12:45 in the afternoon to 4:00 in the evening. Many people who wished to either repair or learn how to repair their devices showed up to participate in the event. The clinic saw about 50-75 people enter and exit. An entire assortment of electronic, mechanical or electromechanical products that were not functioning, flawed or such was eagerly worked on by the volunteers. Even though some of these devices couldn’t be fixed, smiles were still upon people’s faces as they tried to understand what was going on behind the scenes.
After all, this was a free experience that could greatly benefit those who wanted to repair items themselves instead of paying a hefty price to do so. My own experience was fun and I learned quite a bit from it. I signed up to volunteer at the Fixit Clinic. My first task was an electric whisk that was not functioning.  I took it apart but didn’t glean much from it until a man came over to see what I was doing.
He then proceeded to give instructions along the rest of the way for about an hour or so. Funnily enough, we came to the conclusion that the whisk itself wasn’t worth fixing. There was a motor inside attached to a transformer that would have to be replaced. The set itself would cost as much as a new whisk, so it was pretty much unfix-able in its current state.
Next up was an air compressor for a pump. This was generously supplied to me by the man who gave me an extensive lesson on how something couldn’t be fixed (I’m grateful too). We tried to take it apart, but our tools were proved insufficient to find the problem. After that, he said his goodbyes and left.
Then, there was a printer that kept jamming when operated and was a pain to use. We slowly took it apart to the point where the printing mechanism was exposed. There were compressed air cans, so we used them to try and clean out the bay and found the problem. A push pin was lodged inside the mechanism. It was taken out and the printer worked regularly again.
Lastly, an electric razor was brought in that wasn’t working. I took it apart, only to find that oxidized contact plates in the device’s switch didn’t allow any electricity to pass through. I cleaned it up and that was the end of the problem. Just before the event ended, a mixer with a snapped blade was brought in. A replacement part was brought with it, so I tried to put the part in. However, it didn’t properly fit and by that time, the event was nearly over. It was great to meet and interact with all sorts of people, even if their devices were not fixed in the end.
Thank you to all of the Fixit Clinic's staff that organized this event. If not for the entire organization itself, I wouldn't have been able to find the opportunity to do what I like doing.
Here are a couple of pictures to get a glimpse of what it was like.

Why even bother?

This site and all its content are directed towards building and fixing items using materials, parts, and tools that are readily available to the public, and at the lowest cost possible. All by yourself. The involvement of the person who desires to create or fix something is the key element in the phrase "jugaad". "Jugaad" actually means the usage of impromptu materials and ideas to derive a solution to a problem, but in this case, the definition is stretched a little bit to accommodate the true intention of this site. It is not just impromptu or available materials and items used here but also the efficient purchasing and usage of properly constructed items for the building and repair of household items, mainly electronics and other appliances.

However, why even bother about creating or repairing by oneself than getting readily available goods off shelves or pay someone else to do the job? Why try building a homemade power bank or repair a broken phone screen when one can buy a power bank from a local supermarket or go to a phone repair outlet to get their device fixed? It all seems very senseless, trying to attempt something when there is a chance of failure, either small or large, so why even take a risk? Perfectly manufactured goods or personnel that is trained for these kinds of jobs are available at the twitch of a finger or a click on a button today. Why even go the extra mile to involve oneself in the grunt work instead of letting consumer products and helpers spoon-feed us? It is much, much easier, isn't it?

Of course, all the cases presented above have strong arguments backed by valid claims, but without a first-person experience in the given circumstance. That is why I will describe my experience in this field. This whole thing started at the age of 9 when my dad took apart a desktop computer for me to look at. Since then, I was always experimenting with whatever I came across, from toys to devices and appliances. Actually, even before the age of 9, I created and tried whatever came into my imagination with everything I had, from bizarre structures made with building blocks to half-hearted attempts to try and repair the family car. As I progressed with my age, my cognition and comprehension skills improved, so I kept trying newer things as I went on. I was able to repair basic parts of the family car, disassemble and assemble simple house appliances and started on electronics. At the age of 10 (I think), I disassembled and reassembled a dial-up telephone without missing any parts. Even though I actually didn't work with electronics, I learned an important skill called 'screwdriver technology', a primitive but useful thought and action process that, of course, involved screwdrivers. It was essentially a skill that allowed me to think of devices as structures that could be taken down and built back up again. So, I dismantled and put together even more items. Then, I got into soldering and working with basic electronic circuits. From that point onwards, I went up with my understanding and working with electronics.

I built various simple circuits and items for my own amusement, but I quickly got bored of them and moved on. So then, it was not just playthings I built and repaired but useful everyday items that could be utilized any time. Mainly computers. Starting with phones, I realized I had a knack for taking apart and repairing broken devices in whatever way possible. Hooking up a 5-year old tablet to a Samsung battery with a crude USB connection. Replacing my dad's phone's broken screen. Repurposing a Bluetooth headset chip I found into a portable MP3 player using all kinds of odds and ends. The reason why I did this, instead of purchasing new items or paying another person to repair my devices was: 1. It was way, waaaaaay cheaper than the price offered by consumer appliance and device brands, 2. I was able to repurpose devices and not dispose them for no apparent reason, 3. I could personalize my work and create a bond with it (however ridiculous that may sound) and 4. It helped me appreciate whatever I had and have.

Today, many of us take things for granted, I myself being no exception. However, by being able to interact with these devices and use them correctly or build something new without wasting anything is highly satisfying and beneficial to oneself as well as the rest of the world. By making sure that I consume as little as possible but utilize to the maximum extent, I am doing myself a wonderful favor. Heck, I am actually writing this post while listening to music from the cobbled together MP3 player I mentioned above. To describe what I mean about the perks of going "jugaad", I will give a brief description of this MP3 player. I found a Bluetooth headset chip with a SD card slot in my school, derived from a smashed, sorry, obliterated headset which was once owned by a rather troubled sou,l in my opinion. I got a battery from one of my classmates, who didn't need it. I used another broken analog headset with an intact auxiliary cable and port, but destroyed speakers at home. I used a soldering iron, some wire, hot glue and cardboard to create a somewhat odd-looking MP3 player lighter than any Ipod or other MP3 players, with great audio playback, battery life and best of all, value. Its overall building price was literally zero. Yes. Zero. I used "worthless" items and built a sound, usable device that I have a special bond with, because I created it. Not another factory line mass-producing these. Sure, the chip and the aux. port were factory-made, but the wiring, the idea and everything else? I did it. Now, it is an item I use often. A win-win.

No wonder I went "jugaad", but I wouldn't call it that. I would rather call it an enlightenment of sorts. If not for crazy ideas and creations that seem impossible or stupid, where would we be today?