Hackspace Magazine Article
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We will need pictures!
WHEN DID YOU START?
Richmond MakerLabs started in October 2012 as a local place where one could come and get some help on IT. At that time it was a small project called DIY Computer, the project was proposed, accepted and hosted by the Ham United Group (HUG). The concept being that people requesting help would need to do it themselves and learn by doing.
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Early example fixing a laptop Mobile phone cameras were not as good then!
In June/July 2013 Paul G. had a Meetup.com group in near by Kingston Upon Thames looking to organize a Hackspace called "Kings of Hack". Paul had the group and HUG had the space and the umbrella organisation. So it quickly evolved into Richmond MakerLabs.
WHO IS IT FOR?
The aim is the same of our parent Community Interest Company:
• to improve and enhance the environment and the quality of life for the community in Ham and Petersham. • to promote general charitable purposes, activities, events and projects which may be decided from time to time for the benefit of the community of Ham & Petersham and the surrounding area.
So we get people that like to have skill & knowledge sharing, people that like to do community projects, people that like to have a cuppa and have a chat (good for mental health), repairing things to reduce waste (specially WEE), many more. Members are from all walks of life and backgrounds.
WHAT EQUIPMENT DO YOU HAVE?
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Juice making facility: apple press -
FDM 3D printers and resin printers -
laser cutter -
Laser printer and in-house server -
Lathe -
Kitchen -
Big screen -
Electronics work bench -
Basic workshop tools and and hand tools -
CNC machine -
Outside working space -
Sewing machines
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Computers
Not bad for such a small space!
HOW DO I BECOME A MEMBER?
Membership is free, simply fill out a form in pdf format or dead tree material. This will make you a member of the Ham United Group CIC. Richmond Makerlabs members are encouraged to join the our mailman mailing list and our IRC and Telegram groups. Other channels are available but not as active.
It would be best if you first attend one of our open sessions Tuesday Evenings 19.30 to 23:00 and Friday Afternoons 14hrs to 17hrs. Just to get a feel for the space and for us to meet you personally. If you can't manage the days, drop us a message and one our volunteers will show you around.
If you wish to have a more active role such as hosting open days, do workshops, get things recycled, clean the toilet, clean the kitchen, hoover the floors, maintain equipment, and so on you can request a key which will grant you 24/7 access.
HOW DO YOU SHARE YOUR IDEAS?
We have an active wiki. Our main point of pride is our wiki-blog where we post a short summary and even pictures of what we do, we have been doing this for several years now.
Most of our ideas are shared via word of mouth: we go to other community meetings, local schools and we also publish some of our activities in the local Seasonal Magazine: the Ham and Petersham Magazine.
WHAT HAVE YOU MADE RECENTLY?
We recently Caught a small mouse using an empty coffee tin and a lathe manual. We released it to the outside world: it was too young and they did not bring a guardian.
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Mouse discovered -
Catching mouse. -
Mouse in a tin. -
Freedom
One of our members did a load of happy bee antennas, Laser cutter was upgraded with a new laser, new ammeter and new extractor fan,
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Happy Bees. -
Upgraded our laser cutter with an ammeter. -
Lovely jigsaw puzzle. -
Guitar finger nail guard. -
A YAG laser.
And many repairs and modifications, why make new things when yo can fix old ones? If it ain't broke, hack it. If its broke fix is as well.
WHAT TRAINING DO YOU DO?
Training is done Peer to peer and Ad-hoc. Meaning you show up and ask if someone knows X. If you are lucky someone might have done X before or seen it done before. A very DIY approach.
The only remotely formal training some of our members have had is with the Lathe.