Oakland CA: makerspace with wood and metal shops, come visit/join

Fitzhugh

Fitzhugh

Joined
Feb 5, 2013
Messages
194
I'm a member of a user run makerspace that has tools that some of you might find useful - and i think people here would be good additions to the community. It's a nonprofit and the tools are there to be used, no use fees beyond the membership dues of $80/month-$40 if that's what you can afford.
To answer your first and second questions:
1) no, there is no belt grinder, though we can change that*
2) nor is there a forge, kiln, or heat treating oven, which would be hard to change (fire/lease/liability mix)

So what does that leave?
Woodshop with table saw, bandsaw, jointer, drill press, wood lathes, miter saws, grinder, two combo disk/belt sanders, clamps, dust collection, and other stuff.
Metal shop with metal cutting bandsaw, 9x20 lathe, cnc mill, drill press, small cnc router, layout and setup tools, end mills and bits and blades, wire feed welder that members can check out but not use on site.
There is also a heavy duty industrial sewing machine if you want to make leather sheaths, for example.
There is also a large bed laser cutter, a few 3d printers, and of course the electronics area.

It's open to join, just follow the core rule: "don't be a dick." You are welcome to come as my guest if you just want to cut some blanks on the bandsaw or use the woodshop if you either know how and are willing to be safe and responsible, or willing to learn. The other metal shop machines, laser cutter and the heavy duty sewing machine do require a class so you don't bleed everywhere or gas everyone by lasing something toxic, but the classes are free or the cost of a little materia. After that you are able to use them as desired, no fees.

24 hour access, guest rights, good people but nobody looking over your shoulder.

Pm me if you want to come as my guest or just come during the weekly publicly open meeting Thursdays at 7:30. It's a few blocks south of Alcatraz off Sacramento/Market
Of course, if you often find yourself banned from forums or in front of a judge for flinging poop at the families walking past your cage then please just stay home.
Acemonstertoys.org

Thanks
Fitzhugh

*Equipment is purchased through a crowdfunding system: if you can get two thirds of the money committed to by members the organization pays the final third, and there is money for such things. This helps make sure the money is spent on stuff that will be used. I know I'd pitch in and likely a and building one would be easy with the skills and tools available.
 
I know, but I figure someone might find it convenient to know the tools we do have are there. I'd love to build a grinder - if others join and also want to it becomes easy to make happen. In truth I do most of my stuff at home in my own shop and just go there to use things I lack and can't see how I could afford, like the metal lathe (just have a unimat sl at home). I mostly do woodworking and woodworking tools, with a few amaturish knives along the way - came here first to learn about heat treating and got such good help and am so impressed with the community response to novices, not to mention to work people here do. Anyhow, just looking to share a resource if any finds it helpful, similar I imagine to your offer for help with wood related questions in your sig.

And, if you join you can help me make a grinder a priority - It would happen pretty easily with a few people on board, and I know at least one other member who would be all over making one.

I'm going to host a session on sharpening all the things, and another on basic 1084 heat treating... I'm far from expert but I know more than many members about those topics and people want to learn. I'd love to get a local knife maker to come in and show what they do, talk about sharpening, heat treating, etc. We'll feed you well. I'll post a request for that later. Long shot, but worth asking.
 
I think this is a nice opportunity for woodworking, but adding a grinder may be a problem with fire safety. Wood dust and sparks do not mix well. More than one maker has had his shop burn to the ground to prove this. A full spark arresting system and grinding dust collector that will meet code and a good grinder will run about $5K.

Just out of curiosity, is the group incorporated and insured?
 
I had not looked into the fire safety issue (obviously), so thanks for pointing this out. That does put it out of reach.

The machine shop and wood shop are in separate but adjacent rooms. The laser cutter/etcher and 3d printers are in another, sewing and classroom in a fourth, and electronics and general workspace upstairs in a fifth room.
We are both incorporated and insured. I asked before joining.

While you can't grind a knife there it might help someone starting out but eager, where they may benefit from having access to the drill press, metal bandsaw, sanders etc... Stuff you can do without but which makes it easier to do good work. That's why I mentioned just coming as my guest to do the occasional project without joining. When i started woodworking I could only afford a few used hand tools and benefited greatly from a friend sharing his shop. Likewise i have people use my home shop once in a while for similar reasons. They may have a table saw but can't justify owning a planer, or jointer or bandsaw etc... but having access to one when needed makes a big difference. I figured why not put it out there? Some beginner might benefit. Or there might be someone more seasoned who wants access to a cnc mill but can't afford one yet, or someone who makes sheaths by hand and would like to use a machine, making it faster so they can make more and perhaps sell some at the beginnings of a profit. In each case they'd probably bring something to the group if they join.
Access to the ability to shake and heat treat steel has given me new options even though I'm nLetmarilyily a knife maker. I don't focus primarily on steel tools but I do have a lot of fun with my 2bf. Um, Let me rephrase that...
 
Sounds like a very nice setup for a hobby maker. At the very minimum it will get some great networking going. Wish I lived in your area, I'd join for the laser alone. Doing custom engraved boxes and such is worth the price alone. With a special paint, you can even engrave the blades. Handles can have "scrimshaw" done on most any material with a laser to a wonderful detain. Think of a wedding knife with the bride's and groom's image on the handle as well as the date.
 
Yeah, it's all those secondary and imaginative uses where I pictured it helping. The whole point of the tools is to use them, and most here would be the kind you want using your shared tools. They are least already know not to lick the sharp, spinny parts. The amount of craft and beauty I see here is inspiring, as is the growth from sometimes first knife to second and on down the line.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top