Linlithgow Repair Shop

19/06/2026

Great to be back at the Repair Shop after Marches Day. We were down a few volunteers so some needed to cover running the Tool Library and Repair Shop admin. Multitasking repairers.

This didn’t stop us from fixing a DVD player and a pressure washer. Sadly one sewing machine refused to work properly despite a few hours of trying different things. Can’t win them all.

Work continues on a laptop, ornament, food mixer, sewing machine box, hedge trimmer and 3-wheeled buggy and with a few parts on order we should be able to make more progress soon.

All the best for Scotland tonight in Boston and tomorrow in Linlithgow for Gala Day.

We will be back Monday for more repairs.

15/06/2026

This lawnmower was in for a wee repair to carbon brushes. Interesting how the grass over the years had totally covered the motor. Not ideal. So as well as an electrical repair, this machine needed a good clean out.

Today we also worked on a guitar amplifier with a loud squeal noise, a toy, sewing machine, buggy, pressure washer and a clock.

Time now to pack away the tools and enjoy the Marches. We will re- open on Friday at the normal time to continue to repair more of yous stuff.
Note, we are full to the brim with things to fix so please contact us first if you need something repaired. Please try and avoid bringing it in. We rarely say no, but with space at a premium we need a week or so to clear the decks and make room for more repairs.

10/06/2026

A wee reminder that we will be closed for Marches Day. Sunshine has been ordered.

Some recently received broken items and what’s wrong with each to give you a flavour of the things we deal with.

Laptop - intermittent power connection.
Lawnmower - blade bent/broken when they hit a large stone. Blade seized on.
Weather Station - not working
Rice Cooker - not working
Headphones - broken plastic swivel joint.
Hoist/Winch - just stopped working
Lawnmower - lost heart and gave up!
Hairdryer - overheating
Chair - broken spar, rotten timber
Vacuum Cleaner - brush roller not turning
Axe - broken handle
Hairdryer - cuts out
Sewing Machine - runs continuously, won’t power off
Sewing Machine - needle jumps
Soft Toy - not working
Induction Hob - tripped house fuse, not working any more
DVD Player - won’t open

As you can see, we get some interesting comments and descriptions for each repair.

We have quite a lot of things under repair, awaiting parts and still to be started with limited space to take much more, so if you do have something please contact us first. A few customers are in queue waiting for space to be created in our workshop as they have large items that need repaired.

09/06/2026

Yesterday one of our volunteers sat down and had a chat with the student doing research for LCDT about our Share and Repair projects. It was very interesting and raised lots of great questions about why people want items repaired, why repairers volunteer, what sort of repairs do we cover and not cover. Discussion also covered the emotions, and values. What drives someone to a repair path vs buying new, etc.

As per our earlier post (see below), we hope some of you will join in and help us to gain more insight into things and to make improvements to the service, to our marketing and parent ships with others.

For posts on our social media, perhaps we should be telling stories of why items were brought in and what the customer experience was rather than endless pictures of the insides of toasters and printed circuit boards. What do you think? How can we better explain what we do and what benefits we bring to individuals who use our service? Perhaps we need to cross post to Instagram if that’s where our audience prefer to use.

So, let us know what we can do better and/or if you have time, please get in touch with our research student to talk to them.

05/06/2026

Another busy session at the Repair Shop today. This morning two young lads joined in and learned a few tricks of the trade by observing several repairs and even taking part too. Great to see new faces interested in learning skills which will be with them for decades to come.

Repaired: Disco light & a toaster.
Working on: Kenwood Chef (see photos below), musical ornament, vacuum cleaner, radio.

Tomorrow, if there’s enough volunteers to help with the Tool Sale run by Linlithgow Shed, we will open up the Repair Shop to visitors interested in learning what we do. Please don’t bring things in tomorrow as the Hall will be busy with Market stalls and their customers.

04/06/2026

Can you spare an hour later in the month to help with our research? All details below...

We need you for our focus groups!

LCDT is currently hosting a student conducting research into our Share and Repair projects. Part of this is gathering thoughts and experiences from our community in focus groups which will be taking place later this month. We are looking for local people to sign up to the groups (tea, coffee, snacks and a £5 voucher will be offered as a thank you for taking part).

P.S. Don't worry if you don't know anything about share and repair yet - we're looking for both people who are already involved and those who aren't!

You can find the form here to register your interest https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=sAafLmkWiUWHiRCgaTTcYViNDqiEevtKpwJ3QBhFUZ9UNExKV0xMWEtZSkY5REZBTTM2RzhDMEI2VS4u

01/06/2026

We are easily entertained at the Repair Shop. Testing this little toy coin box was fun.

Today we welcomed a new volunteer to assist with our shop admin activities and repairers were busy fixing a wide range of items.

Enjoy…

27/05/2026

Lots of items handed in for repair recently. A few volunteers are off due to holiday so we’ve plenty to work on right now.
If you want something repaired, please contact us first.

Recently in are:
Sewing Machine, Toasters, Laptop, Dinner Fork, Transformer, Toy, Ceramic Doll, Garden Pot, CD Player, Clock, Food Mixer

Many thanks for those who have recently used our service. Please click the stars and give us a rating and feedback that others can read.

19/05/2026

This evening we were busy fixing vacuum cleaners, pressure washers, led lights, sewing machine.

Customers popped in to collect their lawnmower and sodastream.

We are still struggling for space and look forward to a few larger items being repaired to clear workspace. It’s surprising how much space you need to hold all the parts when an appliance comes apart.

A few items have been sitting for months waiting for collection. The notification email might be in your junk folder. If you’ve handed something in and it’s been months then get in touch. We have been sending out reminders but they may all be going to the same email folder.

15/05/2026

Testing an extension lead this morning we identified a number of issues.
If your electrical cables or appliances look like this, please seek help immediately. This is a risk for fire and electrical shock.

Other photo was the inside of a food mixer that had broken motor mounting points. Sadly not repeatable. Again, if something rattles inside an electrical appliance e and it’s not working as you expect. Please please turn it off and seek expert advice.