Multiple Maker Spaces

willowbl00 — Thu, 07/15/2010 - 14:46

It seems maker spaces are springing up everywhere. And that's really, really exciting. We're a part of a movement, a gathering force of change and hope. We gather at Faires, at Cons, at challenges. We make friends and learn from each other. We feel epic, because we do epic things.

It feels amazing... until a space opens in the same city, down the way. Then we feel threatened, because we're socialized to see participants as a zero-sum game. We think someone going to NotYourSpace is, well, not going to your space.

But isn't that the same idea we're trying to smash through Making? Reappropriation, misappropriation, hacking, finding new ways to use old things. It's about reverse engineering, going to the junk yard to find some random part which will Make It Work. It's about not being boxed into one style of interaction, it's not a consumer model, it's not about false scarcity.

Let me propose a new worldview to you: these spaces, through collaboration, will not only better themselves, but will also connect with more people than they would working separately. Because each space has its own vibe, its own purpose, its own set of tools, we can build greater things and have a great of a time doing it.

We've moved beyond Do-It-Yourself. We're now in a phase of Doing-It-Together.

I'm a part of a group which is forming a Federation/Foundation for these spaces. But we're just starting, and we won't ever do everything for everyone, because that's not what it's about, and it's not what we want to do. So reach out to those other spaces. See what they're about. Go to their pot lucks, and invite them to yours. The only divides which will exist are the ones we create for ourselves. Let's abandon the Us/Them mentality which has been foisted upon us, and sit down to build things together instead.

Help for the new guys!

Verhast — Mon, 08/09/2010 - 23:36

I felt this fit in with working together and new work places springing up but I am very new to this whole thing and I would like to ask some questions for myself and any1 who might not know whats going on. I come from a not too big not too small town that from what I know is completely empty of any kind of workshop but the things I see being worked on and build on this site and others make my mind with with ideas! Unfortunately I have not the slightest idea where to get my hands on any kind of brass or tools to bend and cut it or any other parts other than that from a normal hardware store and so I ask any who come by this for any bit of help you might lend me in how to find materials and a work place for a new inventive mind.

Thanks in advanced for any help and comments or you can email me at seandmcint@hotmail.com

3d printing

DR. MANHATTAN — Wed, 07/28/2010 - 11:03

I really appreciate your feedback , this stuff is really fabulous!!, it feels that we really are now in the 21st century!!with steampunk flavor that is)!! it just opened for me the chance to make some many other real devices of spiral based truly complicated shapes which would've been otherwise extremely expensive to make, flying toys, toy car that never crash of my own invention and cooling devices for computers, water purifiers, electrical miniature generators .
Best Regards

Shapeworks

DR. MANHATTAN — Tue, 07/27/2010 - 16:44

Thank you for your prompt reply, thing is I tryed a boolean search for shapeworks and I only got this naturistic product invading the net like a virus, are there any other references to this service?
Best Regards

Ack

PHB — Tue, 07/27/2010 - 17:52

http://www.shapeways.com/

Sorry, shapeways, not shapeworks.

Why would you do that?

BreakerCulture — Mon, 07/19/2010 - 12:53

Coming together and getting more organized could do a lot of good for both for the maker community and for the general communities they're a part of. I'm all in for the spirit of co-operation and I think your goals are noble. But why create a foundation? And what about inspiring healthy competition?

So what is this foundation? You say "we won’t ever do everything for everyone", and that’s a good mentality, but what will you do? If the idea is to reach out to each other in the spirit of growth and cooperation, why would we need a foundation? Is there a goal or a point, or are you guys just doing this for the sake of doing?

And what about these individual vibes that make each maker space unique, why should they subscribe to your ideals? As much as we need cooperation we also need each others competition to give us a reason to grow. If true cooperation is to be had then it must be made to happen by the individual inhabitants of the maker spaces, true to their ideals they have to be the ones to reach out to each other and grow the community that they created. Why should they be lead by a foundation? For that matter why should they be led by anyone?

why

willowbl00 — Mon, 07/19/2010 - 19:37

...because we're all inventing the wheel over and over again, in our little bubbles. This is not about franchising, it's about "hey, here are resources which might help, based on your geography. here are people to talk to, who have been through it before, if you want an understanding ear or mentor." It's so the new and struggling spaces have people to lean on if they want to. It's so facilitators can talk to each other, learn from each other, instead of just the informal gatherings we sometimes end up having.

The people involved with this project come from a wide range of spaces, and are *very* intent on each space being its own thing. We just want to provide support to those who want it.

Also, because if we're a big organization with lots of successful parts, it will be much easier to get grants for everyone involved.

It's not about leading, it's about offering assistance.

cnc parts making

DR. MANHATTAN — Wed, 07/21/2010 - 12:42

Hi to all:
I want to say that I'm very impressed by what this community is able to acomplish not only artistically but technically, it seems that and empty space has finally been filled up with the right stuff that was needed in the world, I came across this websites mostly because I was looking for inspiration and boy I did found it! I've have improved on an amazing forgotten device from the 1800's with a remarkable story behind it but right now I'm at a loss trying to get machined clear acrylic parts for the first iteration, after a "steampunk " version is in order, what it does? creates lots of electricity and yet it is not Tesla related, simple in design and highly mechanical and visually attractive, but effective and amazing at the same time, so does anybody knows where to get someone to manufacture this pieces? I tried "emachine shop " and some other but I just don't get a response after a while about price or any other kind of feedback, any ideas are really welcome at this time, and Keep up the good work it is such a pleasure to witness all of your creations and absorb your ideas
Best Regards

Try ShapeWAYS

PHB — Tue, 07/27/2010 - 17:55

If the piece is not too large it may be possible to either have shapeways print it for you or if you need several have it made in white plastic and make a mould from it to use to clear cast the final parts.

http://www.shapeways.com/

I just had some parts printed, one is 120mm square by 1mm thick and cost $25.

Which brings me to my bigger point which is that one of the things we could really use is a registry of suppliers for maker type stuff. It is easy enough to find electronics, but even stuff like metals can be hard. There are many suppliers for the trade but not all of them accept small orders.

I was thinking of having some bronzes cast, I can make a plug but I have no idea how to find a foundry or what I should expect to pay.

Anyone interested in starting a wiki?

Of course here in Somerville

PHB — Tue, 07/20/2010 - 21:33

Of course here in Somerville you can do both at the same time. New Makerspace, same building...

Friends of SPWS:

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