Loyalist Professor and Jack of All Trades, Chuck Barsony |
Chuck, what inspired you to volunteer at the Repair Café?
I really enjoy solving a problem, particularly when it involves fixing something. It's not quite as satisfying as actually building something, but it's pretty close.
If you had to give one piece of repair advice, what would it be?
Never start a project or repair when you have little or no knowledge of how to do it. "Winging it" invariably means that you will do more damage than good, and might end up hurting yourself in the end. And ALWAYS take it slow when attempting a repair.
Share your favourite repair story with us!
A LONG time ago my brothers and I shared a 1976 Austin Marina. It had an electronic fuel pump that was prone to icing up in the winter. I was on a ski trip up to Hidden Valley in Huntsville with a bunch of friends and when we went to start the car for the return trip home, the engine would spin but not start. I just KNEW that it was the same problem.
So there I was, crawling around on my back, on a frozen parking lot with a feeble flashlight. I tore apart the fuel pump (having done it a few times before) and when I popped the fuel lines to take it out, I prepared myself to clamp off the line to prevent the rush of gasoline. Strange thing though, nothing happened. I forgot to check the fuel gauge! The tank was DRY! Smart move on my part.
We were able to scrounge some gas at the lodge, and we were off back to town. Lesson learned: I ALWAYS fill up the tank when I go somewhere now.
Click on the video below to learn more about Chuck and the program he teaches at Loyalist