No Tech Magazine

The Art of Inventive Repair

"Antiques with inventive repairs (also known as "make-do" repairs) are unique examples of necessity and thrift, made during a time before Krazy Glue was invented. Unlike today where we discard anything chipped or cracked, broken household items were repaired at home or taken to a metalsmith to be brought back to life, often with whimsical results. Once regarded merely as damaged goods by antiques dealers and collectors alike, antiques with inventive repairs are justly receiving the respect they deserve."

Read more: Past Imperfect. Check out the 'staples/rivets' category. Via iFixit.

Previously: Repair is Beautiful / The Japanese Art of Kintsugi / Dealing with Holes.

Repair is Beautiful

"Brazilian, London-based designer, artist and all-around maker Paulo Goldstein has lended his model-making talents to such films as The Fantastic Mr. Fox and Frankenweenie, but after receiving a Master’s Degree in Industrial Design from Central Saint Martins in London, it appears he is opening a whole new chapter. His graduate project, called Repair is Beautiful focuses on repairing broken objects from a craftsperson’s eye."

Via REculture.

The repair process of all objects (a chair, an anglepoise, headphones, an iPod) is explained step by step with photographs.

Traditional Repair Techniques: The Japanese Art of Kintsugi

The Japanese art of Kintsugi, which means 'golden joinery' or 'to patch with gold', is all about turning ugly breaks into beautiful fixes. Most repairs hide themselves - the goal is usually to make something as good as new. Kintsugi proposes that repair can make things better than new.

Kintsugi is a technique of repairing broken porcelain, earthenware pottery and glass with resins and lacquers that come from trees. It dates from the 15th century. The kintsugi artist carefully repairs the broken vessel with a sticky resin that hardens as it dries. The resin can then be sanded and buffed until the crack is almost imperceptible to the touch. After that, the artist takes a lacquer that has been combined with real gold and covers the crack.

Check it out: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5. The first link mentions a couple of DIY-kits using cheaper binding materials.

Dealing With Holes

"Woolfiller repairs holes and hides stains in woollen jumpers, cardigans, jackets and carpets, for example. How? Through embracing the specific character of wool. The fibres of wool contain miniscule scales which open up when they are pricked with a felt needle. The open scales bind with each other and will not be separated. Not even in the wash. Woolfiller can be used with a special machine or with the hand. It is simple, sustainable and satisfying. A new solution for an age old problem." Thank you, Adriana.

Know Your Bolts

Makezine points to this printable poster that displays all the different bolts and nuts and connectors along with their official names (and instructions on how and when to use them). All bolts - except for the Pentalobe screw (more).

Designed For The Dump

"The Story of Electronics: Why ‘Designed for the Dump’ is Toxic for People and the Planet" (video). Related:

• The monster footprint of digital technology - how much energy does it take to manufacture electronics?
• iFixit - repair manuals online

Stop recycling. Start repairing.

Here. (Hat tip to Sally)