Kevin Schoonover is my guest this week as we look into the growing “fix-it” movement, exploring how repairing everyday items—like lamps, sewing machines, and coffee makers—can save money and reduce waste. Kevin shares his experience with local fix-it clinics in Minnesota and the rise of repair culture amid economic pressures. We also discuss 3D printing for custom parts, the power of community involvement, and the impact of donating and repurposing through organizations like Buy Nothing and Bridging. Thanks for listening!

Jim Collison and Kevin Schoonover discussed the FIX IT market, emphasizing the importance of repairing items to save costs amidst economic uncertainties. They highlighted the need for tools and knowledge to fix various household items, such as lamps, sewing machines, and Keurig coffee makers. Kevin shared his experience with local fix-it clinics in Washington County, Minnesota, which help people repair and reuse items, reducing electronic waste. They also touched on the potential for a resurgence in repair culture due to economic pressures. Additionally, they mentioned the benefits of using 3D printing for custom designs and the importance of community involvement in repair initiatives. Jim Collison and Kevin Schoonover discuss various community activities and volunteer opportunities. They highlight the popularity of cooking classes and design and wine jewelry nights, noting their cost and benefits. Kevin shares his experience with a cooking class taught by a Marriott chef, emphasizing practical tips like preheating ovens. They also discuss fixing and donating items through Buy Nothing groups and organizations like Bridging. Jim suggests volunteering at places like the Salvation Army to utilize his tech skills.

Full show notes, transcriptions (available on request), audio and video at http://theAverageGuy.tv/hgg649

Join Jim Collison / @jcollison for show #649 of Home Gadget Geeks, brought to you by the Average Guy Network.

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Links

https://diskprices.com

https://www.washingtoncountymn.gov/3776/Fix-It-Opportunities

https://steam-factory.com

https://www.freegeektwincities.org

https://www.freegeektwincities.org

https://sppl.org/innovation-lab-equipment

Chapters

[0:07] – Welcome to Home Gadget Geeks
[1:58] – Latest Tech News and Updates
[3:21] – Health Gadgets and Wellness Insights
[4:52] – Let’s Talk Hard Drives
[7:49] – Price Trends and Drive Options
[11:19] – SAS vs. SATA: What You Need to Know
[16:05] – What’s New in Home Servers
[17:27] – Linux, Open Source, and DIY Tech
[18:16] – The Fix-It Community: Why It Matters
[18:58] – What Happens at a Fix-It Clinic
[25:14] – Real Success Stories from Fix-It Events
[29:55] – Repair, Reuse, and Reduce Waste
[35:19] – Local Resources to Get You Started
[38:30] – The Future of Personal Computing
[57:12] – A Nod to Retro: The PC Revival

Summary

• Home Gadget Geeks Show Introduction and Weather Discussion[0:00]
  • Jim Collison introduces the Home Gadget Geeks show, mentioning the date and location.
  • Jim and Kevin Schoonover discuss the weather, noting the impact of Canadian wildfires on their areas.
  • Jim thanks Patreon subscribers and mentions the importance of their monthly support.
  • Jim promotes the use of affiliate links on the average guy.tv website to support the network.
• Introduction of Kevin Schoonover and Health Update[3:17]
  • Jim introduces Kevin Schoonover, highlighting his long-time involvement with the Home Server Show.
  • Kevin shares his recent health issues and recovery, advising against falling down.
  • Jim shares a story about a local university’s research on preventing falls among older people.
  • Jim transitions to discussing hard drives and mentions a recent purchase of an 18TB drive.
• Discussion on Hard Drive Purchases and Warranties[4:26]
  • Jim and Kevin discuss the price fluctuations of hard drives and the $10 per terabyte sweet spot.
  • Jim shows a screen sharing of a hard drive purchase, noting the price increase within a few days.
  • Kevin explains the process of updating firmware on hard drives and the potential issues with resetting drive hours.
  • Jim and Kevin discuss the reliability of used hard drives from companies like Go Hard Drives.
• Exploring Disc Prices and SAS Drives[13:01]
  • Kevin introduces discprices.com as a resource for tracking hard drive prices.
  • Jim and Kevin discuss the differences between SATA and SAS drives, noting the lower prices of SAS drives.
  • Kevin explains the market dynamics and the role of OEMs in the pricing of SAS drives.
  • Jim and Kevin discuss the potential for finding good deals on SAS drives before tariffs impact the market.
• Home Server and Media Server Communities[15:56]
  • Jim and Kevin reminisce about the home server and media server communities.
  • Kevin mentions the shift towards home labs for IT skills and the popularity of Plex and Unraid.
  • Jim shares his experience with Open Media Vault and the challenges of learning Linux.
  • Kevin highlights the importance of community support and the role of volunteer groups in the home server space.
• Fix It Clinics and Community Repair Efforts[18:19]
  • Kevin introduces the concept of fix it clinics and his involvement in Washington County, Minnesota.
  • Kevin explains the process of weighing items brought to the clinics to track waste reduction.
  • Kevin shares examples of common items brought to the clinics, such as lamps, sewing machines, and fans.
  • Kevin discusses the community aspect of the fix it clinics and the satisfaction of helping people repair their items.
• Repurposing and Reusing Electronic Devices[33:14]
  • Jim and Kevin discuss the potential for repurposing and reusing electronic devices in a recession.
  • Kevin shares examples of repairable items like Keurig coffee makers and Ninja brand toaster ovens.
  • Jim and Kevin talk about the challenges of repairing modern devices with tamper-resistant screws.
  • Kevin mentions the importance of having the right tools and the community aspect of sharing parts and knowledge.
• Tool Boxes and Organizational Systems[48:09]
  • Jim and Kevin discuss the evolution of tool boxes and the rise of interlocking systems from companies like Milwaukee and DeWalt.
  • Kevin shares his experience with Snap-on tools and the lifetime warranty program.
  • Jim mentions the popularity of rigid boxes and the organization of tools within them.
  • Kevin highlights the importance of having a well-organized toolbox for efficient repairs.
• Community Volunteering and Repair Projects[53:55]
  • Jim and Kevin discuss the potential for volunteering at local thrift stores to organize and repair donated items.
  • Kevin shares his experience with the Buy Nothing groups on Facebook and the importance of giving back to the community.
  • Jim suggests organizing repair projects for items like fans and kitchen appliances to help those in need.
  • Kevin mentions the role of organizations like Bridging in providing furniture and appliances to families moving into their first apartments.
• Design and Wine Jewelry Night and STEAM Factory[58:40]
  • Jim introduces the concept of Design and Wine Jewelry Night at the STEAM Factory.
  • Kevin explains the STEAM Factory’s role in teaching 3D design and providing access to 3D printers.
  • Jim and Kevin discuss the potential for community events focused on design and technology.
  • Kevin shares his experience with the Schoon Doggy bracket and the collaboration with 3D printing enthusiasts.
• Closing Remarks and Future Plans[1:09:34]
  • Jim and Kevin reflect on the conversation and the potential for future discussions on community repair and volunteering.
  • Jim thanks Kevin for his participation and friendship over the years.
  • Kevin shares his contact information and encourages listeners to reach out for further discussions.
  • Jim concludes the show, expressing gratitude to the audience and looking forward to future episodes.
• Discussion on Server Hardware and Friendship[1:09:51]
  • Jim Collison thanks a friend for sending a Dell server, noting its power and the dimming of lights when turned on.
  • Jim mentions using three-bay servers for Chia mining and expresses gratitude for the friend’s support over the years.
  • Jim reflects on past home server shows and meetups, emphasizing the importance of community involvement.
  • Jim invites the friend to stay for a few more minutes to close the conversation.
• Invitation to Join Discord Group[1:13:08]
  • Jim Collison reminds listeners about the Discord group and encourages them to join for troubleshooting help.
  • Jim suggests creating a specific channel for fix-it questions within the Discord group.
  • Jim promotes the averageguy.tv platform, powered by Maple Grove Partners, for reliable hosting services.
  • Jim mentions the affordability of hosting plans and his intention to contact Maple Grove Partners for updates.
• Remembrance of Home Server Show Days[1:14:20]
  • Jim Collison recalls the popularity of Gen 8 servers and the use of Schoon Doggy’s brackets to add additional hard drives.
  • Kevin Schoonover confirms that Gen 8 servers are still in use, though aging, and shares a story about a Gen 8 micro server on eBay.
  • Jim and Kevin discuss the technical specifics of the Gen 8 servers, including drive sizes and the need for LSI cards.
  • Jim apologizes for a previous mistake regarding drive sizes and humorously acknowledges his occasional memory lapses.
• Upcoming Shows and Community Engagement[1:16:03]
  • Jim Collison announces upcoming shows on the averageguy.tv platform, including guests like Mike Wieger, Dave Hamilton, and Brian Freelander.
  • Jim encourages listeners to join the live shows on Thursdays at 7 PM Central/8 PM Eastern.
  • Jim thanks Brian for attending the meeting and invites others to join future live sessions.
  • The meeting concludes with Jim saying goodbye to the participants.

More from ChatGPT

This episode features Kevin Schoonover, where we delve deep into the world of home gadgets and technology with a specific focus on fixing and repurposing devices. As a longtime advocate of hardware tinkering, Kevin shares his experience with various gadgets, emphasizing the importance of repair over replacement—a mantra that resonates strongly in today’s environmentally-conscious society.

We kick off by discussing the current state of technology and the challenges faced by the average tech user when it comes to maintaining their devices. With the rise of consumerism, many people have gravitated towards buying new products at the first sign of malfunction, but Kevin champions the fix-it movement, where individuals learn to repair their gadgets instead of discarding them. This shift is particularly relevant as we navigate economic uncertainties, prompting a reevaluation of our purchasing habits and encouraging DIY solutions.

Throughout the conversation, Kevin recounts his volunteer experiences at local Fix-It Clinics in Washington County, Minnesota. These clinics focus on helping individuals repair household items, from sewing machines to lamps. He emphasizes the joy and satisfaction derived from teaching others how to fix their belongings, turning what may seem like disposable technology into functional pieces once more. By weighing repaired items to track environmental impact, the clinics foster a community of learners and hands-on problem solvers.

Our discussion also spans various gadgets, with particular attention to hard drives and storage solutions. Kevin sheds light on the products available on the market, including enterprise-grade drives, and offers insights into navigating pricing and warranties. He shares his own experiences with GoHard Drives and how he’s proven successful in sourcing reliable, cost-effective storage solutions for technological endeavors at home.

In addition, we explore the concept of maker spaces and community workshops. Kevin introduces The Steam Factory, a collaborative lab aimed at bridging the gap between creativity and technology. Here, people can learn about 3D printing, CAD design, and innovative projects while tapping into local resources to enhance their tinkering skills. The workshop provides an enriching environment for those looking to create as well as collaborate, demonstrating the vibrancy of community-focused learning.

We wrap up by reflecting on the connections made through these initiatives. Kevin’s volunteer work illustrates a profound sense of purpose that transcends individual projects—promoting a culture of sharing knowledge, reducing waste, and fostering community engagement. His approach encourages others to take on their fix-it projects and contribute to a collective effort to repurpose and recycle technology.

From discussions on the significance of repair communities to insights on navigating technology purchases and the joys of DIY, this episode offers a wealth of information and inspiration for anyone interested in home gadgets and the growing movement towards sustainability through repair.

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