One of the biggest struggles that makers of any age or specialty face is the lack of space. Have you ever said to yourself, “Wow, I would love to get _______, but I just don’t have the space!” Maybe you’ve thought, “If I bring home another project, my spouse/partner/roommate is going to kick me out of the house for sure!” You’re not alone. Now, imagine a place where creativity, curiosity and community have the space to flourish. What if there was someplace you could go to not only work on your craft, but learn from a constantly growing community of artists, builders and creatives? That’s a makerspace.
You may see them called things like hacklab, tech shop, community workspaces, or in our case, a hackerspace. While the names, locations, and equipment they use can vary greatly, they all share one thing in common: Makerspaces are a place where like-minded people gather to share resources, knowledge, skills and equipment with the shared goal of learning and making.
In the simplest terms, a makerspace is a community workshop filled with tools, equipment, and people who love to make things; “makers”. Whether you’re a total beginner, hobbyist or a seasoned inventor, makerspaces provide supportive, low-cost ways to learn new skills and work on personal or collaborative projects.
What can you do in a makerspace?
That depends on the space! Most makerspaces offer a wide range of tools across many different disciplines. Here at Tampa Hackerspace, there is so much you can accomplish. Here’s just a taste of what we have to offer:
- Woodshop: CNC Shop Bot, Saw Stop, miter saw, router tables, jointers, planers, lathes, drum and belt sanders, drill press, etc.
- Sewing and Textiles: Dozens of sewing machines and sergers, two industrial-strength sewing machines for leather or canvas, a cutting room, three looms (and counting), a Baby Lock 6-needle embroidery machine, rug tufting, and a leatherworking station.
- 3D Printing Lab: We currently have 6 Prusa Mk3 printers up and running in our print lab, allowing trained members to print in PLA or PETG.
- Electronics Lab: Soldering stations, 2 CO2 laser engravers, 1 60W MOPA Fiber Laser, ultrasonic cleaners, desoldering guns, oscilloscopes, function generators, logic analyzers, and a hot air rework station.
- Metal Working and Machine Shop: Tormach Personal CNC machine, Grizzly variable speed mill, Grizzly lathe, horizontal metal band saw, metal brake, plasma cutter, MIG/TIG welding, sand blasting station.
- So much more: Multiple heat presses, vinyl cutters, screen printing, large format printers, kilns, pottery wheels, powder coating, vacuum forming, glass cutting and stained glass design, arts & crafts supplies, beads, jewelry making, and more!
If it involves building, fixing, creating or hacking, chances are there’s a tool for it. Many of our tools and supplies are donated by members or businesses within our community. Makerspaces help lower the barrier of entry for learning new hobbies and skills by allowing members to try something new without investing hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars into supplies and equipment. Plus, you’ll likely find another member willing to show you the ropes before you dive in!
Who is it for?
Everyone.
Seriously! Makerspaces welcome people of all ages and experience levels. You don’t need to be an engineer, a famous artist, or a professional anything. In fact, many Tampa Hackerspace members join because they want to learn something new, not for a craft or skill they already know.
Some common types of members include:
- Curious beginners looking to explore a new hobby
- DIYers and hobbyists with limited space or budget for equipment
- Students and educators looking to learn
- Engineers and Investors looking to prototype their next big thing
- Retirees with a passion for making
- Cosplayers, crafters, and artists looking for a community
- Industry professionals and lifelong makers who love to share their knowledge and teach the next generation
So much more than tools.
At Tampa Hackerspace, we work hard to be more than just a tool rental shop. We’re a community of like-minded creatives who work together to keep this space not just open, but always evolving and improving. Makerspaces are a wonderful support system that provides knowledge, mentorship, and a community of fellow tinkerers and problem-solvers.
Many makerpaces, including Tampa Hackerspace, offer a variety of classes, demonstrations, and events. Many of our events, like our monthly board game night or our weekly Open Make Nights, are free and open to non-members, too! To learn more about our classes, check us out on Meetup! Interested in becoming a member or seeing the space for yourself? Open Make Nights are a free open house that we host every Tuesday from 6-8 pm. Whether you’re here to build a robot, learn to weld, or just see what we’re all about, we can’t wait to meet you!