MakerSpace

I'm interested in finding or creating a MakerSpace (alternately referred to as a HackerSpace or ...) where I can do projects that I don't have space or tools for here. As I go about that, I've been collecting pointers to various relevant resources on the net.

At this point I only have this one page, but it's sure to grow, that's why I've made it a full topic. And like all of my other pages of pointers I always appreciate suggestions and additions.

Nearby Spaces

There are some MakerSpaces that I've found out about that are almost close enough to be useful, and might have useful resources.

• Make It So is located in Keene, NH (about an hour's drive). I happened to hear (part of) an interview on the radio and it seems they have more than I saw indicated on the web site. I don't normally get to Keene often, but I hope to remember to visit them the next time (or the one after that).
• Tech Valley Center of Gravity is located in Troy, NY (also about an hour away, in the opposite direction).
• There's one in North Adams (or near there) that I found once, but, while it's closer, it didn't seem to have any resources like I'm interested in.

Further away

There are a lot around the area where I used to live (Cambridge, Ma and generally the Greater Boston area). As I come across references for them, I'll add them here.

• Artisans' Asylum is in Somerville. In addition to general stuff they have a How to Make a Makerspace page that has a lot of references.

Maker Faires

There are some Maker Faires that operate in the area (sorted approximately by distance from me):

• Troy Mini Maker Faire
• Tri-State Mini Maker Faire (Lakeville, Ct)
• Boston Mini Maker Faire
• Westport Mini Maker Faire (Ct)
• World Maker Faire in NYC

Making A MakerSpace

OK, so the last time I looked, there were lots of sort of useful resources about setting one up, which is what it's looking like I need to do. But, I didn't keep track of them at that time, so, as I start this page, I don't have them, but I know I'll find them again (probably) and so this space for listing them...

So here are some that I've found since...this list is unordered and incomplete, maybe I'll get a Round Tuit and clean this up (someday).

• A site called Makerspace which actually doesn't have a lot of content other than a form to request they email a PDF to you (I haven't looked at this, that seems a lot of indirection to me), and a couple of pointers to books you can buy and other sites I already have listed....

Ideas for a local MakerSpace

Location

For my personal preferences, I'd prefer something more local (southern Vermont). I've been asking around about resources in the town of Whitingham (either in one of the villages, Jacksonville or Whitingham, or in the surrounding areas) and will expand soon to Wilmington and maybe Halifax. Unfortunately, I haven't yet, (as of 2016-03-08) gotten any useful information...

Business

The business side of it is something I'm not really good at. So, if there's anyone local (or you know of anyone) who knows a bit about the business side of something like this (small, shoestring budget, not-for-profit, co-op [I think those are about the right key words]), please get in touch.

Other Maker resources

• Element 14 is an online community oriented towards electronics projects (Silicon, the base element for most electronic devices is element number 14 on the periodic chart).
• Make: magazine's web site could be useful. And, if you are a Maker, you probably want to be a subscriber...
• Maker Shed is an Internet store front associated with Make: magazine which has a lot of useful stuff.

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Copyright © MMXXIV Michael A. Patton

And finally, a random note:
I pride myself in being "normal" only when I stand up, and then only in the geometric sense.