What you need for a repair café
A repair café needs more than a table full of tools. You need safe work areas, reliable power, a way to register repairs, and enough basics for visitors and volunteers to work without delays. Check equipment several days before the event, especially extension cords, chargers, testing gear and battery-powered tools. Use this list to prepare the repair stations, reception area, queue, coffee service and safety supplies. Buy consumables and replacement parts only after you know which repairs are expected, rather than guessing too early.
What to bring
Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.
Furniture
- Repair tablesqty 8
- Chairsqty 30
- Reception desk
- Queue barriersqty 4
- Coat racksqty 2
Equipment
- Extension cordsqty 10
- Power stripsqty 10
- USB chargersqty 6
- Soldering stationsqty 4
- Multimetersqty 4
- Test lampsqty 3
- Workbenchesqty 4
- Cordless drill driversqty 3
- Heat gunsqty 2
- Glue gunsqty 3
- Magnifying lampsqty 4
Tools
- Screwdriver setsqty 6
- Pliers setsqty 6
- Allen key setsqty 4
- Wrench setsqty 3
- Hammersqty 4
- Hand sawsqty 2
- Utility knivesqty 4
- Measuring tapesqty 4
- Clampsqty 8
- Tweezersqty 6
- Wire strippersqty 4
- Cable cuttersqty 4
Safety
- Safety gogglesqty 12
- Work glovesqty 12
- Ear defendersqty 6
- Fire extinguisher
- Power strip testersqty 2
Tableware
- Mugsqty 40
- Glassesqty 40
- Platesqty 30
- Cutlery setsqty 30
Kitchen
- Coffee machinesqty 2
- Kettlesqty 2
- Thermos flasksqty 4
- Coolersqty 2
- Serving plattersqty 4
- Scissorsqty 4
Decorations
- Welcome sign
- Information boardsqty 8
- Tableclothsqty 8
- Directional signsqty 10
Administration
- Clipboardsqty 6
- Pensqty 30
- Repair formsqty 150
- Number cardsqty 100
- Name badgesqty 40
- Tape dispensersqty 4
- Labelsqty 200
Cleaning
- Waste binsqty 6
- Bucketsqty 2
- Mopsqty 2
- Broom and dustpanqty 2
- Microfiber clothsqty 12
- Dustpan and brushqty 2
Catering
- Groceries
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Tea - 3 boxes
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Sweetener - 1 box
- Lemons - 6 pieces
- Spa Blauw - 6 bottles
- Spa Red - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Cola - 3 bottles
- Cola Zero - 3 bottles
- Biscuits - 6 packs
- Stroopwafels - 4 packs
- Currant buns - 30 pieces
- Bananas - 30 pieces
- Paper napkins - 4 packs
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 2 packs
- Trash bags - 2 rolls
- Hand soap - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 2 packs
- Cleaning gloves - 4 pairs
- Solder - 4 rolls
- Solder flux - 4 bottles
- Heat-shrink tubing - 4 assorted boxes
- Electrical cable - 3 rolls
- Cable lugs - 2 boxes
- Terminal blocks - 2 boxes
- Electrical tape - 12 rolls
- Double-sided tape - 6 rolls
- Super glue - 12 tubes
- Wood glue - 4 bottles
- All-purpose glue - 6 tubes
- Sandpaper - 4 assorted packs
- Cable ties - 4 bags
- Screw assortment - 4 boxes
- Nuts and bolts - 3 assorted boxes
- Rubber feet - 2 bags
- Wire - 6 spools
- Needles - 4 boxes
- Zippers - 20 pieces
- Buttons - 4 bags
- Fabric glue - 4 tubes
- Bandage strips - 2 boxes
Tips
- Set up one repair table per active repairer, plus at least one extra table for intake, sorting or overflow. Allow two chairs at each seated repair station and keep the reception desk separate from the work area.
- Plan power before the day starts: use one extension cord and one power strip per powered work area where needed, and keep cables away from walkways. Test soldering stations, test lamps, USB chargers and multimeters at least one day in advance.
- Provide safety equipment at every station where it may be needed, rather than keeping everything at reception. As a practical baseline, prepare one pair of safety goggles and one set of work gloves per active repair station, then add spares.
- Bring complete hand-tool coverage instead of relying on one shared toolbox. At minimum, place screwdriver, pliers, Allen key and wrench sets where repairers can reach them, with utility knives, measuring tapes, clamps and tweezers available for detailed work.
- Prepare the visitor flow before shopping for refreshments: queue barriers, a coat rack and clear repair forms prevent the reception desk from becoming crowded. For drinks, calculate two cups per visitor for a short two-hour session, plus extra for volunteers.
Frequently asked questions
- What tools do I need for a repair café?
- Start with screwdriver, pliers, Allen key and wrench sets, plus hammers, utility knives, measuring tapes, clamps, tweezers, wire strippers and cable cutters. Provide one complete basic tool set for each active repair station and keep one spare set at reception.
- How many repair tables do I need for a repair café?
- Use one table per repairer who will work at the same time, then add at least one extra table for intake, parts or waiting repairs. For example, six repairers need seven tables if the reception desk is separate.
- How much safety equipment is needed for a repair café?
- Prepare one pair of safety goggles and one set of work gloves per active repair station, with at least two spare pairs of each for replacements or visitors. Keep goggles and gloves visible before repairs begin.
- What electrical equipment should I bring to a repair café?
- For each powered station, plan an extension cord and power strip where needed, plus access to a USB charger. Check soldering stations, multimeters, test lamps and battery-powered tools at least 24 hours before the event, and charge cordless tools before setup.
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