Google reminded us today that four years ago, we were teaching a “Summer of Making”, six workshops in Madison libraries on making all kinds of things. Three years ago we carved a makerspace into an Artists’ Collective, and a year later we moved to our current building! It’s been a wild ride, with a parade of wonderful people. This Saturday … Continued
Hi my name is Charlie and I built an electric longboard! The idea first came about a year ago when I saw a student on my campus blast past me while I was biking to class. I did a little research and learned that I desperately wanted one. Unfortunately a high quality electric skateboard is going to run around $1,000 … Continued
Recently, one of our members was looking over his scrap wood pile, and noticed he had some nice hardwoods in there. So, after spending some time with our jointer and table saw, clamps and glue, this beautiful project emerged. Note the great “tusked” mortise and tenon joints Jim used to hold it all together.
By far, the Distance Award for our membership goes to Rachel and her family from the Viroqua area! She and the kids pack themselves up into an RV and drive the 2 hours down to Madison to hang out at the makerspace, learn new techniques and tools, make things from their fabulous imaginations, share ideas and otherwise connect with other … Continued
A great day hanging out with other Mini Makers at the Madison Mini Maker Faire… Entertained by national acts and local makers, it was a conversation-filled day at our booth. We ran a free block-printing giveaway, demonstrated a few tools, and displayed the wonderful objects our members and guests have made. Thanks to the Monona Terrace for hosting and organizing … Continued
We were super excited to host Madison’s chapter of World Create Day, an international event dreamed up by Hackaday. We had several electronics projects going, a “flailing arm wild and wavy guy” costume being sewn up, 3D printing, and some project design work. Check out the article on the worldwide turnout over on Hackaday: http://hackaday.com/2017/04/24/behold-the-many-builds-of-world-create-day/ !
One of our prop-makers, Luke, recently made a Skyrim Steel Helmet, from several thicknesses of EVA foam, slices of PVC pipe, and painted with acrylics. The total project took around 12 hours, thanks to design templates provided free by Bill Doran of Punished Props. Take your costuming and cosplay to the next level with advice from our amazing members!
The Metal Shop is looking pretty spiffy these days…click through for a 360 photo sphere. New TIG and MIG welders have arrived, along with a plasma cutter, a bench full of grinders, a large moveable welding table, and a metal chop saw to sit alongside the horizontal band saw and blacksmithing equipment. On the machining side, the giant metal drill … Continued
A hit at Milwaukee’s Maker Faire, Alex built this two-headed automated fortune-teller, combining the penny arcade amusement of the early 20th century with modern Maker technology: an Arduino microcontroller. The project uses a lazy Susan turntable powered by a DC gearmotor, an Arduino Uno, four photo interrupter sensors, and a thermal printer to tell your fortune. Insert a coin, and … Continued
Well that was a blast! With a giant Gameboy and a flowery pedal car, we launched foam rockets, talked to many hundreds of visitors, and were amazed by all the sights. With medieval knights fighting 8′ Tesla Coils, adults racing kiddie-cars, a huge clothing make-o-rama, a plethora of new products and handmade goods, it was mind-boggling. If you missed it, … Continued
