Speaking to The Telegraph, Dominic Chinea revealed that it is "impossible not to get caught up in the emotion" when working on items brought to The Repair Shop. He explained that the experts sometimes become "attached" to the items they restore.
Because the items belong to others, the team cannot keep them. Instead, they buy their own versions before the episodes air. Chinea gave an example of a sewing machine: "We were so in love with a Wilcox & Gibbs sewing machine somebody brought on to the show that four of us went off and got our own." He added, "We know we have to do that before the episode airs, because the prices shoot up on eBay as soon as people see the things on TV!"
Juggling Filming and Workshop Projects
Chinea also spoke about balancing his work on The Repair Shop with his own workshop in Cornwall. Earlier this year, on his YouTube channel, he admitted that filming commitments had prevented him from progressing with other projects. Commenting on the state of his garage, he said: "I can't wait to get stuck into some projects now in the workshop. Life is going to be a lot easier. All the windows are in, the roller shutters are in, the roof is bolted down, not leaking as badly, and I've got my nice flat concrete floor, and now a beautiful new two post lift."
He added that he wished he could use the new lift but was heading to Chichester to film The Repair Shop. "The only issue is I'm now in Chichester where it's starting to film Repair Shop tomorrow, but I do kind of wish I was there able to use that new lift, but that's going to have to wait until next week."
Storm Damage
In June, Chinea updated fans on the challenges he faced at his workshop after a storm. He said: "The storm has caused a lot of damage, the workshop roof, various tiles and bits and bobs. I'm doing my best to deal with those, I've ordered more roof sheets and I've lined up roofers to try and fix the roof, but I'm also juggling trying to finish this kitchen."
Catch The Repair Shop tonight (Wednesday, July 29) from 8pm to 9pm on BBC One.
