At the Bosch Brand store & DIY Square - An afternoon well spent DIYing

Blog Bosch DIY Square DIY Woodworking Wall clock woodworking workshop

Yeah ! An afternoon well spent making my own DIY Wall Clock. Before I even say anything, I have to mention that the use of the DIY Square is completely free. You can walk in and have a hands-on tools experience with absolutely no sales pressure.

So, what is this DIY Square ? It is an activity center in Bangalore that allows hobbyists to work with power tools and experience the joy of hobby / DIY woodworking. It is an attempt by Bosch to reach out to interested DIYers by providing them with an environment to give wings to their creativity. It also houses a range of power tools and working materials that you can procure.

Bosch Brand Store and DIY Square - A place to unwind DIYing

What turned out to be the highlight of my visit was the amount of fun that I had. I was like a kid in a candy store. While I was a little hesitant initially, Mr.Bhaskar at the Square gave me quite the needed push to try the Jigsaw and the power sanders. He along with Eesha ensured they took me through a DIY project in quick fire time. I was using these tools for the first time and I ended up having the confidence to believe I can use them with all ease. 

Mr. Bhaskar taking us through the tools

I was told that one can walk in to the square to execute his / her own ideas.  Picture wanting to build a small stool or a table or a shelf and also having someone to hand-hold you while you give life to your imagination! It is lovely place for anyone who has been contemplating DIY Woodworking for a long time, and didn’t know how to go about it.

Trying to make my own clock and using the Jig Saw

To anyone who asks me how to get into DIY woodworking, I tell them to take a plunge. However, a visit to the DIY Square can be an intermediate step that can make your plunge seamless. You can get your queries clarified from an expert. You can get an idea on the kind of tools you may need. You can even feel, and use the tools (with expert supervision as needed) with no pressure of buying anything. Walk out making your own piece of art and show it off with friends and family.

With my Wall Clock - Thanks Eesha and Bhaskar

Even better. You can visit the Square as a group. With friends. And with your family. Quite an appealing proposition right?  Which is why I need one in Chennai too.

Some tools on display on the activity table

It was a fruitful afternoon and a very humbling experience for me. I thought I can tame these tools at the first go. But then I realized practice and more of it is what will lead to mastering the use of any tool. I left with a sense of excitement. Maybe, it is the right kind of propulsion I needed. More projects have been there in mind. And now there is enough motivation to pursue them.

DIY Square Kayvee Associates Opp to Bosch Banerghatta Road, Bangalore Tel – 080 – 22109036 /65679561 Mon-Sun 10am-6pm DIY Square

Bosch Brand Store & DIY Square 62/2 Sarjapur Road Opposite Salarpuria Sanctity Bangalore 560035 Tel – 080 – 42177732, Mob: 9886082223 Mon-Sun 11am-8pm

Disclaimer : My visit to DIY Square was sponsored by the event organizers. However, I was not asked or influenced in anyway to write this post. My opinion here is voluntarily written and is completely mine.

Popularizing DIY culture in India - An interaction with VP, Bosch power tools

Blog Bosch DIY DIY home tools DIY Square DIY Woodworking general interview Media

DIY in India is certainly a concept that is catching up. While there are individuals in pockets already indulging in Do It Youself, the idea by itself cannot gain widespread awareness unless there is more focus, attention and thrust coming from the industry at large. Bosch, India, is now getting to broaden that interest through its Home and DIY power tools and its DIY experience center, The DIY square.

Home and DIY Power Tools stall

I recently had the good fortune of interacting with Mr. Vijay Pandey, Vice President of Bosch power tools, India, at their facility in the Garden City. The event was organized for folks from the media to break Bosch’s image of being a predominantly Automotive focused organization and was aimed at introducing the audience to the other streams of business lines that it was already flourishing in - DIY, Home and Garden power tools being one of them.

Click here for more images from the event

Mr.Vijay Pandey at the Bosch Brand DIY Square

Here’s couple of interesting things that came out straight from the horse’s mouth.

He said,

“Bosch provides the joy and first hand experience of DIY by allowing interested hobbyists to unleash their creativity at the Bosch brand store and DIY Square – An experience center that provides tools, assistance and all the needed guidance to overcome the hesitation of using power tools. The use of DIY Square is completely free (unless there is considerable amount of materials used) and there is absolutely no sales pressure. Walk in. Walk out. And have fun in between.”

When asked about the target market,

“We are not trying to replace the carpenters, nor are we trying to convince every individual to DIY. There is a certain section that knows DIY is cool and the outcome of DIY is worth showing off. We want to target that section by providing them with a platform to learn and the right tools to experiment and experience DIY”

Tools demonstration at the venue - Got to hold and try the tools

It was also interesting to note that the tools are very easily available through Flipkart, Amazon, Snapdeal and other E-commerce portals. Bangalore is lucky in one sense that this whole revolution is starting with the city. We had a tour of the DIY Square (And that is a separate post by itself) and I spent the most time there laying my hands on the tools and watching others get a grip of it too. Friendly staff eager to see us brim with joy was an added bonus. Try it and if you like, buy it is an idea I wish existed here in Chennai too. 

Bosch tools on display

Bosch Home Smart Kit 

The whole event left me with a sense of pride. I walked out with the resolution to up my ante. DIY is cool and I hope to continue enjoying the benefits that it has to offer. And it is indeed nice that Bosch is doing its bit to popularize the DIY culture in the Indian sub-continent. That said, what is your take ? Do you think there is growing enthusiasm to embrace this culture ? Share your thoughts as a comment.

Disclaimer : My entire visit was sponsored by the event organizers. However, I was not asked or influenced in anyway to write this post. My opinion here is voluntarily written and is completely mine.