[Closed] Repair Shop. Is everyone else watching?

I want to have a skill that would let me have one of their jobs. My idea of heaven.

I cry at car SOS, the repair shop would be too much for me

Reminds me of spending time in my grandad's shed when I was a young kid and he used to tinker with all sorts of stuff, but the skill level of the people in the program and the care they take restoring stuff is incredible.

It’s such a breath of fresh air.

There is too much contrived jeopardy on’t telly nowadays, with breathless narration, be it time “...and there’s only 12 hours til the deadline, will the team make it?”

Funds “...with their depleted budget, they can’t now afford the originals, so will have to fit cheap Chinese knock offs.”

Or faux calamity “...with the workshop nearly flooded...’

There is none of that in The Repair Shop, and as a result it’s some of the best TV going, as you say

binners

Long mnay it continue.

Thanks for the heads up @binners. It hadn't been on my radar, but I will watch with interest.

Love it. The old boy with his radio playing a song which reminded him of his wife reduced me to tears.

I applied few months ago. I have a pocket watch that belonged to My great uncle, Harold ‘the prince of centres’ Wagstaff, played for England and Huddersfield rugby in early 1900s. The watch does not run anymore
Ironically I look a spitting image of him. How genes are passed on

So fingers crossed they take it on.

Lovely programme. Often emotional.

Yep, it's what the BBC do so well.

Love it and been to where they film it, amazing place.

What’s with the knob in the flat cap? What does he actually do which means me has to wear that big leather apron?

The poster above is right, is lovely TV and the lack of jeopardy is a breath of fresh air.
That followed by sewing bee is a perfect night of TV in the Lunge household!

Ditto, love this program. It’s wonderful to see artisans at the top of their game at work. I cried when the old boy got his radio back as well. In fact I knew I would when he brought it in. Fifty plus years of a relationship condensed into one object, I can only imagine the job satisfaction from repairing it.

Missing for me is how much they charge for the work. Not sure why they're so secretive about it.

What’s with the knob in the flat cap? What does he actually do which means me has to wear that big leather apron?

He is what is called "The presenter". Why does he need an apron "Jay Blades is a modern furniture restorer, upcycler and eco designer who's passionate about sustainability." so guessing he helps out in the background or gets on with some other stuff.
Not sure why you have a problem with him, seems like a nice enough person.

I love this too, great to see craftsmen and women at work. I appreciate the fact that money doesn't enter into the conversation, it's about the story and the process of restoration.
I caught the rip-off version Channel 4 have put out, and turned off when I found out they do the same type of restoration job, but just to sell on. Lost all of it's attraction.

I don't think they do charge.

The repair shop was set up solely for the programme - all the craftspeople have their own businesses etc, and this is just for TV (as in, you can't just rock up with your broken thingy and ask them to do it, you have to send the details off and hope to get selected...)

I can't get enough of it, and have even convinced Mrs fadda. As above, the work is fabulous, but it's the stories and the owners' reactions that really make it great telly.

There's one on in the afternoons sometimes where some lady hovers about at the council skips and salvages stuff that people are chucking , gets it restored / remade / repurposed and then sells it and gives the original owner the profits.

Going against the flow here, but I have never seen anything quite so boring; its even worse than those 'Slow' programmes they show on BBC4 from time to time.

But then I cant really be bothered with the Handcrafted, or artisan thing, these skills are dying for a reason.

arcing
Member

I caught the rip-off version Channel 4 have put out, and turned off when I found out they do the same type of restoration job, but just to sell on. Lost all of it’s attraction.

if you mean Money For Nothing that was around well before the Repair Shop, and where the "knob in the flat cap" cut his televisual restoration teeth

I don’t think they do charge.

The repair shop was set up solely for the programme – all the craftspeople have their own businesses etc, and this is just for TV (as in, you can’t just rock up with your broken thingy and ask them to do it, you have to send the details off and hope to get selected…)

Yeah, the people don't pay.

Steve Fletcher (clock guy) has his shop near here. He completely stripped and repaired my Grandmother's 1920s mantel clock that we inherited. Made several replacement parts from scratch.

He had it for over a year in the end. He's got so much work he originally estimated six months to getting round to doing it. Once done he wouldn't let me have it back until he was sure it was running perfectly. He tested it for months.

(Just chimed eleven)

Er yes, very expensive to get done (prob four times what the clock is worth) but for the family was worth it.

I don’t think they do charge.

Blimey. That does surprise me. Those skills don't come cheap normally, makes it seem all a bit contrived now! 😀

https://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2020-03-02/repair-shop-pay-charge/

But then I cant really be bothered with the Handcrafted, or artisan thing, these skills are dying for a reason.

Yes, the rabid consumerism in society has pretty much killed of the need for them. Just buy another one if your old one breaks...

Brilliant TV, episode a few weeks back where a woman had brought a broken light glass lightshade in, must have been in a 100 pieces. It looked perfect after it had been fixed. Skill beyond belief!

I might start watching it again, knowing that they do it for love, not money 🙂

I’m a fan. I like the metal-worker fella, he’s so enthusiastic. And Steve the clock-repairer. Amazing skills. Still I’d happily watch James May take a toy train apart and put it back together so I’m probably the ideal audience.

Steve Fletcher (clock guy) has his shop near here. He completely stripped and repaired my Grandmother’s 1920s mantel clock

Keeps his clothes on in the show, thank goodness.

If you like the Repair Shop then try Salvage Hunters- The Restorers

I love watching this show and 'm so envious of them. I really wish I'd had the opportunity to learn a proper hands on skill like them when I was a lot younger, so I could put it to good use now.

Salvage Hunters- The Restorers

with the added benefit- minimal Drew Pritchard content compared to standard Salvage Hunters.

I enjoy it a lot, and Kirsten the ceramics restorer is amazing, although I guess she impresses me the most because I have absolutely no experience working with those materials but I do wince every time the grinder comes out to cut a piece of metal that would have been easier and more accurately cut with a hacksaw - yes I am looking at you Dom

There's great satisfaction in fixing something that would have been thrown away.

I think they are all on iPlayer.
It's ace, and would also love to have the skills, especially the spekky 6 eyes clock maker. I'm pretty good at making broken stuff work, but it's often quite 'rustic' behind the scenes.

I want to have a skill that would let me have one of their jobs. My idea of heaven.

You and me both!

Going against the flow here, but I have never seen anything quite so boring; its even worse than those ‘Slow’ programmes they show on BBC4 from time to time.

But then I cant really be bothered with the Handcrafted, or artisan thing, these skills are dying for a reason.

Deary me! #rollseyes
The fact is handcrafted, ‘artisan’ items, and the skills needed to craft them, are NOT dying, there are huge numbers of people working in leather, wood, fabric, metal, jewellery, print...

Find It, Fix It, Flog It is the C4 version. Also predates The Repair Shop by a year or so. I like both though - Henry Cole is a bit of a treasure I reckon (although I can see how he might be a bit Marmite).

The Repair shop kills it in terms of skills though. Amazing work in almost every episode. I really like the fact that generally they don't like to over restore stuff.

Find it, fix is, flog it is a very different show.

Much more "American" as in that acted/scripted feel for the camera. It's more about recycling/ upcycling too. Much more like the BBC show where they salvage stuff from recycle centres and where Jay Blades (sp?) first appeared on TV. The "experts" brought in to value the restorations also seem to simply pick the figures out of their heads. You can see how good they really are at valuing as many of them already appeared on bargain hunt and are little better than you or I at pricing objects.lol

If you get the chance to go to where they film the Repair Shop (post lock down, Can't remember it's name, the "something" and Weald Museum) definitely do it. Historic buildings from all over the SE moved brick by brick timber by timber and rebuilt on site to preserve them. Huge and fascinating place to look around. It's not just a couple of barns!

The setting all the buildings is in is bloody idyllic too. Its just off the SDW.👍

https://www.wealddown.co.uk/

Just starting now

Anyone watching today's? The lass restoring the portrait is a gods damned magician. Astonishing work.

Yeah the picture restorer is brilliant. I was seriously thinking about whether it's something I could learn to do.

Yeah the picture restorer is brilliant. I was seriously thinking about whether it’s something I could learn to do.

It's SERIOUSLY difficult, skilled work. I got a 1st in my Fine Art degree (mostly painting) and have taught Art for 20-odd years now, but wouldn't come close to the results she achieves. Visually I could make it look pretty much spot on, but the technical conservation aspect is stupidly tough.

Colournoise - have you got any examples of your work. I’d love to see them

I was in awe watching her restore that tonight. The craftsmanship is incredible!

Is it just me that finds the two ladies who restore the cuddly toys and dolls a bit creepy?

Actually I know its not cause I asked my misses who's reply was "just a bit creepy?!"

binners
Colournoise – have you got any examples of your work. I’d love to see them

Since my dog threw my 'archive' HD across the lounge a few months back I don't have anything to hand. If you really want to see I can grab some photos tomorrow, but they are not technically impressive in any way - I drifted down a rabbit hole of abstract landscapes, influenced by Rothko, Barnett Newman and John Virtue. Since I began teaching painting has taken a back seat to photography and the odd bit of graphic stuff, just for time reasons (I got really involved in 'process' so paintings would take weeks to complete).

Watching this again tonight, it's so dusty in here.

I'm struggling to make a knife block, let alone do what these folks do. Absolutely astounding.

https://www.wealddown.co.uk/Well worth a visit once it opens - esp if you have kids.

I'm with you, Ambrose, got very hayfever-y in here, too...

It's the stories that go with the items, and the reactions when they're picked up which make it so rich.

Best moment was when Suzie uncovered the guys name on the rocking horse...

Yup.

If you enjoyed the art restoration check out the Baumgartner restoration YouTube channel. Amazing full videos of restoration projects, with narration on most of them, there's so much to it.

Anything that Will does amazes me. Partly because my woodworking skills barely go beyond flat pack, and partly because (and I know this is a 50+ year old's view where anyone clearly younger than me is automatically considered in their early 20's) someone of Will's age should be doing souped up cars or motorbikes, not fuddy duddy stuff like writing desks or rocking horses. And I'm so pleased he does.

Guessing they haven't filmed a series this year. Bugger.

My favourite series on tv.

Sounds interesting, will give it a spin thnks.

Watching restorations is something I’ve been enjoying on youtube on and off for a year or so now. Find it helps insomnia (restful not boring, IME) and is genuinely interesting (again, IME) Some of you might enjoy some of those channels. Some I still subscribe to:

Baumgartner (Paintings restored)
Odd Tinkering (various)
Nekkid Watchmaker

@Malvern Rider try my mechanics on YouTube as well if you haven't already come across it, his work is amazing and very relaxing to watch

Totally agree with "theotherjonv", the young lad doing the woodwork is really encouraging. Nice to see someone of his tender years with enough experience and confidence to tackle some pretty challenging stuff.
I really enjoy that loads of people attach so much sentimental importance to family heirlooms, irrespective of their value.
Got to go, I'm presently crying at an episode of "educating Yorkshire"