The Fix-It Space: Repairing, Repurposing, and Community Tech Solutions with Kevin Schoonover – HGG649
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!
What Is a Community Fix-It Space?
The short answer: a community fix-it space gives people a place to diagnose, repair, repurpose and learn from broken technology or household items instead of immediately throwing them away. In this episode, Kevin Schoonover talks about fix-it clinics, shared tools, local knowledge and the practical habit of opening something up to understand whether it can reasonably be repaired.
Key Takeaways
- Repairing before replacing starts with curiosity, diagnosis and a willingness to learn how an item works.
- Community fix-it clinics can pair people with tools, experience and encouragement they may not have at home.
- Kevin points to everyday examples such as lamps, fans, sewing machines and coffee makers as items worth evaluating before discarding.
- Repurposing older technology can be just as useful as restoring it to its original purpose.
- Good troubleshooting habits, documentation and organized tools make repair work less intimidating.
- Some repairs make sense, while others may not be practical because of parts, design choices or the time involved.
- Groups such as Buy Nothing, Bridging and local repair communities keep useful items and knowledge moving between people.
Jim Collison and Kevin Schoonover discuss the fix-it movement, including the value of repairing items when it is practical and learning from the process. Kevin shares his experience with local fix-it clinics in Washington County, Minnesota, where people bring household items such as lamps, sewing machines, fans and Keurig coffee makers for help with repair and reuse. The conversation also covers 3D printing for custom parts, community classes, Buy Nothing groups, Bridging and ways people can volunteer their existing tech skills locally.
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://www.washingtoncountymn.gov/3776/Fix-It-Opportunities
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 diskprices.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 Friedlander.
- 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.
Episode Discussion
This episode features Kevin Schoonover, and we dig into home gadgets and technology with a practical focus on fixing and repurposing devices. Kevin shares his experience with hardware tinkering and community repair, emphasizing the value of understanding an item before deciding whether to repair, repurpose or replace it.
We also discuss the current state of technology and the challenges the average tech user faces when maintaining devices. Kevin frames the fix-it movement as a practical way to learn repair skills, ask better troubleshooting questions and decide when an item is worth another look before it is discarded.
Throughout the conversation, Kevin recounts his volunteer experiences at local Fix-It Clinics in Washington County, Minnesota. These clinics help people work through household items, from sewing machines to lamps, while learning from volunteers and from each other. The episode keeps the focus on practical repair decisions, shared knowledge and the satisfaction of getting something useful working again.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Fix-It Space?
In this episode, The Fix-It Space is the practical idea of bringing people, tools and local knowledge together so broken or unused items can be diagnosed, repaired, repurposed or responsibly passed along.
Who is Kevin Schoonover?
Kevin Schoonover is a longtime Home Gadget Geeks guest and home-server community friend who brings hands-on experience with hardware, home labs, repair, volunteering and local fix-it efforts.
What kinds of items can be repaired or repurposed?
The episode mentions everyday items such as lamps, fans, sewing machines, Keurig coffee makers, small appliances, older computers, storage hardware and parts that can sometimes be supported with 3D printing or community know-how.
Why repair old technology instead of replacing it?
Jim and Kevin frame repair as a way to learn how things work, stretch useful life where practical and make better decisions before buying something new. The point is not that every item should be repaired, but that some items deserve a closer look first.
Do you need advanced technical skills to participate in a repair community?
No. The discussion emphasizes community support, shared tools and learning by doing. People can bring curiosity, a broken item, a specific skill or just a willingness to help.
How can someone get started repairing their own electronics?
Start with simple troubleshooting, keep tools organized, look for documentation, ask local communities for help and learn from repair clinics, maker spaces or groups already doing the work.
When does replacement make more sense than repair?
Replacement may make more sense when parts are unavailable, the device is designed in a way that makes repair impractical, safety is a concern or the time and cost no longer fit the value of the item.
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Popular Tags: Podcast, Home Gadget Geeks, Jim Collison, Kevin Schoonover, home gadgets, fix-it movement, DIY solutions, repair skills, environmental impact, Fix-It Clinics, storage solutions, maker spaces, sustainability
