Is there anyone currently responsible for bike tools? Members who were once active in maintaining this and running bike repair workshops and meetups at the space seem to have dropped away. I know we have some members who have a keen interest in this, are skilled bike mechanics etc. If no one is currently maintaining this facility, could we get one or two members to do so?
There has never been anyone officially responsible for the bike tools, just a general community effort. Is anything broken/missing or you are just looking to organise it better?
Primarily because having an owner or owners of this who are regular users of the tools would be helpful in arrangements for where this gets located, where things get put etc. Also it might be organised a bit better.
Those I’ve seen use bike tools most of all are @hernehillier, @dario, and @Dan1. I think they would be good candidates.
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Great idea but this is very much connected with the new metal area. Also there aren’t much tools… if anyone is ready to jump in great but personally I’d keep this under Metal for the next few months.
My 2cents: end of the winter (February) could be a good time to start looking into this… metal area in arch 2 will be ready and members are looking into fixing their bike.
I’m reasonably confident with fixing bikes, if someone can point me to where the tools live right now, I can at least try to catalogue what we’ve got and make a tool page, so people know if it’s worth coming over to try and fix something specific.
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I’ll send you some photos tomorrow. I should be around early afternoon
I’m a qualified master mechanic. I tried at the beginning of the year to gain member buy-in (literal and figurative) of a more-structured and better-equipped bike corner. We didn’t quite get the amount we needed, but if there’s interest we can give the dream shape.
Nothing specialist. Please do have a look, last I checked there was:
A lezyne multitool with mm Allen keys.
A Shimano cassette lockring Tool.
Two chain whips.
Several small Allen keys that we should just scrap.
Cables, housing, ferrules and end caps that I donated.
A pedal wrench.
A spoke key.
2 bike work stands.
1 ancient wheel truing stand.
Tyre levers.
A patch kit I donated and a pre-existing patch kit.
A grip shifter that @Kyle donated off his bike.(I think. Might’ve been @Clem).
A very busted up plastic container.
A few other bits and bobs.
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Thanks @Dario @hernehillier It’s, good to start getting views on this.
I’m not really convinced about the connection with metalworking, other than conceptually. I’ve done plenty of basic bike maintenance work, but never used a lathe, chop saw, angle grinder, welder, pillar drill etc. Sure, occasionally for specific requirements some equipment like that might be used, but for regular bike maintenance, regular bike tools will usually be all that’s needed.
@hernehillier, thanks very much for that list of the tools. Aside from stuff that isn’t needed (box of 80 or so small Allen keys), it seems that the tools could all fit in a case or two - apart from the stands. It might be much more convenient for users to have a case of bike tools and those stands in the front corner of Arch1, where they might take up very little space.
The other consideration is the space to do work on a bike. There won’t be much room in the metalworking area for a bike on a bike stand, and blocking the access route to the snug isn’t a great option. From what I’ve seen, working on a bike outside or in the clean room works fine. Having tools in cases and stands in there would seem a good option - but let’s get the views and suggestions of those who use the bike tools and equipment.
For metalworking, it will be better to know now whether they need to allow for space for someone to work on a bike on a stand in that area. If it gets left for later, then it’s likely we’ll have that large metal shelving unit storing a lot of junk and scrap taking up space while any bike maintenance work will be squeezed in, or tools get taken out to other areas where they can actually be used.
I think a wall of bike tools and the stands makes sense just inside in the messy room, where the bookcase used to be?
https://c8.alamy.com/comp/2EJK04W/specialist-bike-tools-all-lined-up-and-hanging-on-a-bench-in-a-bike-servicing-business-workshop-2EJK04W.jpg
You can use them in the messy or clean rooms but they are easy to find and keep track of
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I see these connections:
- light service: oil, grease, metal spare parts, usage of a strong surface table, mechanic vice
- repair and build: angle grinder, welding, precision tools, tap threading and wrenches
Other than this, I have no preference.
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Slightly off topic but where is the wheel truing stand/do you know if it’s in usable condition? Been on the fence about buying/making something to have a go at truing on for a while.
It’s certainly usable, although I don’t know where it is right now. It’s a pretty simple thing - just a big lump of metal with axle slots. You need to add on a dial indicator if you want a readout.
Should be just inside the messy room by the bike stands
I’d like to be involved in the creation of a physical bike work space. Having set up multiple workshops I know the small ins and outs that create problems and annoyances down the line. Also I’ve worked in the industry, own a bike business, and I haven’t seen another person work more on bikes than me at the MS.
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That would be great, thanks! Will follow up directly!
Move your bike business into an adjacent arch and we can relocate the tools there, problem solved 
If you can get me an arch at a rental price that makes business sense, sure.