[hackerspaces] Machines list - buying resources !

Sun May 1 16:34:24 CEST 2016

Milwaukee Makerspace has a long list of equipment and tools on their wiki:

     http://wiki.milwaukeemakerspace.org/equipment

Pete

On 5/1/16 8:56 AM, Shirley Hicks wrote:
> Good morning Taner,
>
> Unfortunately, I don’t think that any one person or organization has 
> developed such a list. It would be an interesting (and very useful) 
> set of notes to develop, which would take time and a lot of talking 
> and probing people to get the information out. If you find one, could 
> you share with this list? I would love to find a Consumer Reports (US 
> consumer’s product review magazine and website) equivalent for shop tools!
>
> My suggestions would be to go through some of the larger makerspace 
> and hackerspace’s equipment lists, and look to see what models of 
> equipment that they are working with, then get in touch with lab leads 
> or space leadership and find out what their opinions of the equipment 
> are.
>
> I would suggest:
> Dallas Hackerspace - https://dallasmakerspace.org/ (one of the largest 
> and most successful makerspaces in NorAm)
> Artist’s Asylum - https://artisansasylum.com/
> Georgia Tech’s Invention Studio - http://inventionstudio.gatech.edu/ - 
> has the combination of raw beginners and experienced student leads 
> that you’re likely to be dealing with.
>
> Also, talk to your own membership and find out what their experiences 
> have been with this equipment elsewhere in professional lives. It will 
> be easier if multiple people are working on this, preferably ones with 
> some experience using the tools.
>
> Makerspace tools have some different requirements than manufacturing 
> production tools in that they should have simpler control systems, and 
> some versatility of use (not dedicated to doing one specific task 
> really really well, as most industrial versions of the tools will be) 
> but need more robustness than the consumer version of tools coming on 
> the market. I would look at design studio/small workshop versions of 
> machines - ones designed for prototyping and small lot manufacturing. 
> That should give you the combination of robustness (for multiple 
> users) and setup versatility
>
> Also allow for the fact that you will probably not make perfect 
> selections and that you should plan for some replacement eighteen 
> months to three years out. (just build it into your financial model 
> (write down the value over time) and plan for it). Some equipment will 
> just wear out - and others won’t be best fits and should be either 
> hacked or sold off. Also, it’s useful to work with entry-level models 
> while you get a sense of how your membership will use the tools.
>
> If you are importing, you have the option of looking for goods in 
> multiple markets, from Europe to the Americas.
>
> Our makerspace in Birmingham, AL is currently researching our first 
> big tool acquisitions - we would be willing to share notes as we go if 
> you’d care to exchange email addresses.
>
> On a tangential note - there’s been a lot written on-line regarding 
> the design and equipping of makerspace for children and teens in 
> libraries and community centers. In part this is because the people 
> who are doing it are having to learn themselves. 
> (https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=Evaluations+of+shop+tools+for+makerspaces returns 
> the search I just did) 
> http://makerpd.weebly.com/2-up-and-running.html has links to some 
> great studies with details as to how different groups made their tool 
> selections.
>
> Shirley Hicks
> Red Mountain Makers
> Birmingham, AL
>
>> On Apr 30, 2016, at 8:06 PM, Pete Prodoehl <raster at gmail.com 
>> <mailto:raster at gmail.com>> wrote:
>>
>>
>> Let the members decide what to buy?
>>
>>
>> Pete
>>
>>
>> On 4/30/16 4:37 PM, Taher Allow wrote:
>>> Thanks for your kind response :)
>>>
>>> Mainly our members can teach cnc ,laser cutter, milling, welding, 
>>> waterjet and all related tools.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Kind regards,
>>> Taher Alblowe
>>>
>>>
>>> -------- Original message --------
>>> From: Arclight <arclight at gmail.com>
>>> Date: 5/1/2016 12:29 AM (GMT+03:00)
>>> To: Hackerspaces General Discussion List 
>>> <discuss at lists.hackerspaces.org>
>>> Subject: Re: [hackerspaces] Machines list - buying resources !
>>>
>>> Taher,
>>>
>>> I would start by asking: What do you wish to make or teach classes in?
>>> Is there industry (such as Petroluem) near you that has machinists,
>>> CAD operators, other skilled people that can offer to teach?  Machines
>>> aren't helpful without knowledge and instruction.
>>>
>>> Arclight
>>>
>>> On Sat, Apr 30, 2016 at 1:15 PM, Taher Alblowe <alblowe at gmail.com> 
>>> wrote:
>>> > Dear all,
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> > I am looking for a good resource that helps me select the right 
>>> brands and
>>> > models with the right budget for our new makerspace.
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> > Unfortunately it is not available in Saudi so I have to check 
>>> online and
>>> > decide which are best to buy L
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> > Thanks J
>>> >
>>> > Taher
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>
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