Power sword and skull made at Maker Space
Power sword and skull made at Maker Space

Maker Space & Digital Training Hub

 

A Maker Space is a not for profit community resource where anybody can learn how to use digital tools, collaborate on projects or just make things for their own use. The idea is to make communities more self-sustainable, improve skills and employment prospects as well as giving people the opportunity to be more creative.

In collaboration with  Sustainable St Agnes, a local environmental group, I run a Maker Space on the 2nd Saturday of each month and open my workshop to anyone in the community who wants to learn how to use digital tools. During the day there is a 3-hour morning session from 10.00-1.00  and an afternoon session from 2.00-5.00.  There is room for up to 3 people per session and the fee is just £5. I demonstrate how to prepare a computer graphic, set up either the laser cutter or the router and cut a piece of work. Participants then get the chance to design and create something of their own and a truly amazing variety of things  have been made.

It is always a really enjoyable day for me and some of the great things that have been made can be seen below.  At the moment this is Cornwall’s only open access digital workshop so if you want to get involved in the digital revolution or just want more information please email me: training@cnccraft.co.uk

NEW Digital Training Hub 2018:

Enjoyed our Makerspace ‘Taster’ sessions? Join us again for our new 2018 training courses in Computer-aided Design, CNC Routing, Laser Cutting and Engraving and 3D Printing. Now *live* for bookings! Click HERE for more information

Here are some of the amazing things that have been made…

  • Maker space Christmas trees
  • Shipping forecast at the maker-space
  • Father and son laser cutting at the Maker Space
  • Maker Space sea horse
  • Reindeer made at the Maker Space
  • Making camper-van bed at MakerSpace
  • Working on graphics at Maker Space
  • Prototype sign made at Maker Space
  • Necklace made at Maker Space
  • Laser cutting at Maker Space
  • Cutting lounge chair at Maker Space
  • Seahorses at Maker Space
  • Making caravan doors at Maker Space
  • Shop sign made at Maker Space
  • Clock face made at Maker Space
  • Cutting camper-van bed at Maker Space
  • Compass rose and name made at Maker Space
  • Lounge chair made at Maker Space
  • Chicken and name tag made at Maker Space
  • Dolls caravan contruction at MakerSpace
  • Illuminated lasercut sign made at the MakerSpace
  • Illuminated lasercut sign made at the MakerSpace
  • Karen's wheel of fortune made on the MakerSpace
  • Learning to use the CNC Router at the MakerSpace 2
  • Learning to use the CNC Router at the MakerSpace
  • Laser cut logo sign with LED lights
  • Me checking the router
  • Dolls caravan made at Maker Space
  • Power sword and skull made at Maker Space
  • Testing large 3D printer.
  • Tony's elipses at the MakerSpace
  • Marle and stuart jobs2 at the MakerSpace
  • Jeff with bust made at extended MakerSpace
  • Jeff cutting bust made at extended MakerSpace
  • Karen's poetry door @MakerSpace
  • Marle's lasercut wall paper and plywood flowers @MakerSpace
  • Laser cut fish lampshade made by Izzy at MakerSpace

Equipment at the Maker Space includes a 2400 x 1200 CNC router for cutting and shaping large timber based materials such as plywood, mdf as well as solid timber. It has been used to make furniture, a shop sign and fit out campervans A 1200 x 600, 80watt laser cutter/engraver that has be used to make jewellery, children’s toys, leather goods and wall art, form thin ply, wood, card and leather.  There are two 3D printers. One small delta printer that prints things up to 15mm diameter, and a large one that will make objects up to 450mm cube. They both print from a biodegradable plastic filament called PLA

You can download designs for all kinds of things  from websites like www.instructables.com or www.thingiverse.com, or you can design your own creations using freely available, open source software such as Inkscape; https://inkscape.org/; or libracad; http://librecad.org. For more complex 3D designs you can use programs like Sketchup; http://www.sketchup.com/ or Blender; https://www.blender.org/
There is a nominal charge of £5.00 per person to cover insurance and consumables.  Small amounts of scrap are available, but please bring suitable materials with you if you can and some ideas of what you’d like to make. Places are limited but if you would like to come along  or need some advice about a project please email me with Makerspace in the subject: training@cnccraft.co.uk

Address and Directions

Conileigh, Skinners Bottom, Redruth TR16 5DY. From Chiverton Cross roundabout go through Blackwater to Smokie Joes Cafe. At the bottom of Smokie Joes car park take the road sign posted to Skinners Bottom. Go up the hill and straight over the cross roads. Continue down the hill for 300M and the workshop is on the right.