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Tog Hackerspace Upgrades Thanks to Local Enhancement Programme 2024 Grant!

We are thrilled to share that Tog Hackerspace has received a grant from the Local Enhancement Programme (LEP) 2024! This generous support, provided by the Department of Rural and Community Development, has already made a significant difference in our space. We extend our deepest thanks to Minister Heather Humphreys, Minister Joe O’Brien, Dublin City Council, and the Local Community Development Committee for making this possible.

With this grant, we have been able to upgrade the furniture in our common room, which is the heart of our hackerspace. The new stackable tables and chairs have completely transformed the room, giving us the flexibility to adapt the space to suit a wide variety of events and workshops. Previously, our furniture was heavy and mismatched, limiting how we could use the space. Now, we can easily reconfigure the room to accommodate both small gatherings and larger groups with minimal effort.

In addition, we’ve acquired a brand-new projector, screen, and mounting stand. This setup has already proven invaluable during presentations and workshops, especially for members with lower vision, as the improved visual clarity ensures everyone can fully participate. The equipment is helping us deliver a more inclusive and engaging experience for our community.

Whether it’s for a coding session, electronics workshop, or a maker night, the upgrades have given us the freedom to expand the types of events we can host and have made Tog more accessible to all.

We couldn’t be more excited about how these improvements are helping us better serve the community. Tog Hackerspace continues to provide a space where people can explore science, technology, and making in a hands-on, supportive environment. The impact of this grant extends beyond just our group, as we regularly collaborate with other local organizations, amplifying the benefits across the wider community.

A heartfelt thank you once again to the Local Enhancement Programme 2024 for your support. We’re eager to see how these enhancements will continue to improve the experience for all our members and visitors. Come check out the new setup at one of our upcoming open nights!

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Lockpicking At Octocon

Octocon, the National Irish Science Fiction Convention, is a weekend celebration of our favourite stories from books, comics, TV, films and games; from science fiction, fantasy, horror and beyond; attracting artists, writers, film-makers and fans from across the human sphere of influence.

Octocon is going hybrid again on October 5th and 6th at the Gibson Hotel, Dublin and Online, with the programme streamed from Dublin as well as online-only. As well as all our usual panel discussions, workshops, talks and readings, we’ll also be giving you the chance to join in hosted chats with other fans on specific topics, or sit down in a small group to talk to one of our attending creators.

We will have two Lockpicking sessions at Octocon this year. Both will take place on Saturday 5th of October from 3 pm to 4:30 pm split into two 45-minute sessions.

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Tog Harvest 2024

As the summer comes to an end, we wanted to share with you our members’ garden activities. While our passion for technology runs deep, we’re also nurturing a love for sustainability and homegrown food. This season, our members have embraced their green thumbs, cultivating a variety of fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Whether experimenting with urban gardening, exploring permaculture, or simply enjoying the process of growing food from seed to harvest, there’s been plenty of progress outside the hackerspace too!

Below are some snapshots showcasing the fruits (and veggies!) of their labour.

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Fixing Household Items with 3D Printing: Two Simple Projects

3D printing has become an incredibly useful tool for household repairs. With a little creativity, you can fix broken items instead of throwing them away. In this post, Christian will share how he used a Prusa 3D printer to repair two everyday items: a toilet roll holder and a window blind clip.

Project 1: Toilet Roll Holder Repair
When the mounting bracket of my toilet roll holder broke, I decided to design a custom clip to fix it. Here’s how I did it:

  • Problem: The original bracket snapped, making the holder unusable.
  • Solution: I measured the dimensions of the broken part and designed a replacement in CAD software.
  • Process: I printed the new clip using a Prusa 3D printer, and it fit perfectly. The 3D-printed part is sturdy and works just like the original.
  • Materials: PLA filament, 0.2mm layer height.
  • Time: Approximately 1 hour to print.
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October Repair Cafe

Bring your broken gadgets and gizmos to get them fixed by skilled volunteers at TOG Hackerspace!
Save your things from the landfill and your wallet from having to replace them.

Join us in Tog on Saturday 19th of October from 2 pm – 6 pm.

What objects can you bring in?

  • Clothes and accessories
  • Toys
  • Small electrical appliances and electronics
  • Small furniture
    … and many other things!

Safety testing (PAT) for electrical devices will be available.

Whether it’s a wonky toaster or a glitchy switch, our experienced volunteers are here to help. No need to throw things away when they can be fixed! Swing by with your items and let’s get them back in working order together. TOG members will be on hand to show you around the space – come and enjoy a tea or coffee and a tour while you wait!

See you there!

Where? – Unit 1B Motor City, Kylemore Road, Dublin 12, D12 CF6V
When? – Saturday, October 19th, 2 pm – 6 pm
Admission is free – but book a ticket so we can plan numbers – all are welcome!

https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/repair-cafe-tickets-1015213750657?aff=tog

If you would like to be a fixer, drop us an email.

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Dublin Climate Action Week 2024 Launch

We’re excited to share that our very own Jeffrey Roe presented Tog’s latest initiative, the “Repair Café in a Box”, at the Dublin Climate Action Week 2024 Launch. This event brought together an inspiring mix of community groups from all four Dublin local authorities: Dublin City, Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown, Fingal, and South Dublin.

Repair Cafés provide a volunteer-run space where people can bring broken household items—anything from electronics to furniture—to be fixed. Our new “Repair Café in a Box” model aims to make it even easier for community groups to set up their own repair cafés by providing them with all the essential tools and resources, available for free rental.

This initiative is not just about fixing broken items but about fostering a culture of repair, sustainability, and community-driven action. It aligns perfectly with the themes of Dublin Climate Action Week, focusing on reducing waste and supporting local climate initiatives.

Check out some of the press coverage from the event below:

https://www.thejournal.ie/dublin-climate-action-week-2024-6482926-Sep2024

We’re excited to share that our very own Jeffrey Roe presented Tog’s latest initiative, the “Repair Café in a Box”, at the Dublin Climate Action Week 2024 Launch. This event brought together an inspiring mix of community groups from all four Dublin local authorities: Dublin City, Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown, Fingal, and South Dublin.