Community workshop – The Owl’s Nest

Dropping in or making an appointment?

During opening hours, you can visit without an appointment for a short question, to coordinate an idea or project, to meet us, to show us something or to receive an initial assessment of a possible repair.

Please make an appointment in advance when you want to:

• actually work on a project;
• investigate or carry out a complex repair;
• look at a website, account, backup or digital problem together;
• create, modify or print a 3D design;
• work with electronics, Arduino, Raspberry Pi or a similar platform;
• discuss a longer question or receive guidance.

Coordinating in advance allows us to make sure that the required workspace, equipment, parts, time and attention are available. Make an appointment.

Complex repairs and precision work

Tugelastraat is equipped for repairs that require more than general hand tools. We have an extensive range of precision tools and a large stock of small parts, including metric screws, nuts, washers, C-clips, springs, connectors, plugs, fuses, heat-shrink tubing, resistors and other mechanical and electronic components.

We can work on computers, laptops, small servers, switches and other technical equipment. This may include diagnosing a fault, replacing fans, repairing or crimping cables, replacing connectors and repairing fine mechanisms such as a clock mechanism or a control knob on a front panel.

The 3D printers and small metal lathe can also be used as part of a repair. With the lathe, we can for example shorten a metric screw to an exact length, create a thread relief or lead-in section, reproduce a small component, or neatly finish a glued knob so it is round and correctly sized. The lathe is used here as a repair tool and does not constitute a general metalworking facility.

Fine woodworking and detail work

Woodworking at Tugelastraat focuses on small workpieces, accurate handwork and detailed finishing. The location is not intended for large constructions, extensive sheet material or projects that require a large amount of open workspace.

Activities can include:

• wood carving and other forms of fine handwork;
• accurate sawing, paring and chiselling;
• dovetail joints and other fine wood joints;
• small wooden replacement parts for repairs;
• detail finishing, profiles and decorative edges using small routers;
• fitting, correcting and finishing small workpieces.

When choosing tools and a working method, we consider not only the intended result but also safe and controlled working and what you would like to learn during the project.

3D design and 3D printing

A Prusa MK4S is available for filament printing. For highly detailed resin prints, we have an Elegoo Saturn 4 16K. A small basic stock of PLA, PETG and common resins is available. Special colours, technical materials or larger quantities should be coordinated in advance.

You can do more than have an existing file assessed or prepared for printing. By appointment, we can also work together to:

• modify an existing 3D model;
• measure and redraw a replacement part;
• design a new part or prototype;
• assess fit, strength and print orientation;
• combine a print with electronics, mechanics or a repair.

3D printing can therefore be both a making process in its own right and a tool for repair, development and prototyping.

Electronics, diagnostics and development

The electronics workspace is used for diagnostics, soldering, desoldering, measurement, testing and building or modifying small circuits. A soldering station is available, and the parts stock contains many of the small components and connection materials needed for investigation and repair.

Electronics can be part of a repair or a new project. Activities can include:

• circuit boards, connectors, switches and wiring;
• power supplies, fans, fuses and cable connections;
• Arduino, Raspberry Pi and similar platforms;
• sensors, simple controls and prototypes;
• combining software, electronics and a custom enclosure.

Where possible, we explain not only what needs to be replaced or connected, but also how the circuit works and how you can continue investigating it safely yourself.

Websites, data and digital technology

By appointment, we can look together at digital questions that are difficult to assign to a single device or program. The aim is not only to solve an immediate fault, but also to understand where data is stored, who has access, what you depend on and how a sustainable and manageable situation can be created.

Subjects can include:

• websites, domain names, hosting and content-management systems;
• email, accounts, profiles and lost or unclear access;
• backups, data storage and the ability to restore data in practice;
• computers, software, settings, networks and storage;
• privacy, data flows and dependence on external platforms;
• free and open-source software and other maintainable alternatives;
• 3D design, programming and digital control of technical projects.

The digital activities connect with the wider work of ASK-Media-Solutions and ASK-ICT-Solutions. Within The Owl’s Nest, the emphasis is on investigating together, transferring knowledge and gaining as much control as possible over your own systems, accounts and data.

Donating equipment and materials

During opening hours, you can offer equipment, parts or materials without an appointment if they may be useful for a public-benefit purpose. We assess whether something can be reused, repaired, used as a donor device or provide parts that may be valuable for future projects.

Not everything can automatically be accepted or stored. Suitability depends on factors such as condition, available parts, required storage space, safety and the likelihood that the material can be put to meaningful use within a reasonable time.

Do you have several devices, larger quantities or something that is difficult to transport? Please contact us in advance so that we can determine what is practical.