We set up an info table at the Soda City Farmers Market on Main St. last Saturday and it was a big success! We got lots of interest from people with many different maker backgrounds. Several new members, too!
We plan to be there again at the end of October with live demonstrations of lathe turning, 3D printing, and maybe ceramics. Come out and see us!

We did major cleaning last Saturday! We cleaned, we organized, we threw stuff out! Thanks to all who came. The space is looking better than ever! There is a list on the table in the lounge if you want to come by and add to our efforts. On Wednesday, we'll re-arrange the furniture in the lounge.

Come join us for a clean up day! We voted to have it Saturday, September 21 at 10 am. Probably will order lunch if people want. Tasks listed below. Whatever we can't finish, we can at least plan for. This is a great way to meet your fellow makers and get to know the space.

• Painting in lounge
• Hallway paneling
• Mount the hall light switch in a better location
• Get folding tables
• Move the small couch out and re-arrange - Alex
• Clean the metal shop, paint inside the fume hood
• Finish and paint the arcade
• Replace ceiling tiles in wood shop

Latest happenings:

• We are prepping to give some classes. They should include sewing, Blender, soldering, wood turning, and ceramics. 
• Looking for grants to help us expand our space
• Trying to do more social media
• Planning to start attending the Soda City farmers market once a month
• Planning an enclosure for the 3D printers

Lot's happening lately! Welcome to our new members, too! 
In the last couple weeks we have:

• Received a donated radial arm saw
• Collected an displayed safety information
• Held a Saw-Stop demo and instruction
• Moved in new couches, chairs, and tables. 
• Repaired a fast 3D printer

Our next knife-making class is Sunday March 26 at 4 pm. This time we'll use the material removal technique rather than forging. 

A bunch of us gathered Sunday January 29 to learn forged knife making from our professional knife sharpener member! We fired up the propane forge and started bashing away on the anvil. We also used the plasma cutter to pre-cut the steel and got a little training in as well. Two members completed the forging process. They will grind and heat treat later. 

We discussed other tools we can buy to continue knife making. Looking at a mini mill, grinders, knife steel, and others. We're doing a leather class soon to make sheaths. 

We are doing an art class Saturday December 10 at 1 pm at the makerspace.

One of our talented members will guide us through painting a nature scene. All materials are provided. We're thinking up other Christmas craft projects, too. Maybe we can make presents and ornaments this year!

We continued working through our electronics book in Falstad. Also got some info on creating electronic music instruments.

Below are examples of the book we use, and a picture of some of the chips one of our members uses for musical boards. He showed us how to use paste soldering with our new soldering iron/heat gun.

Turns out we have a couple of experienced jointer operators in our group! We ran some boards through the jointer and compared the output to a straightedge

We gathered yesterday to try out our new forge and anvil by making bottle openers. We rigged a tarp for shade and set up a fan and water cooler to beat the heat.