TechShop: Laser Cutters For The People – Missoula’s REPLIK8TR MakerSpace Updates

In lesser hands, the TechShop could be an incubator for industrial accidents.

This two-story industrial space near downtown San Francisco hosts dozens of powerful machine tools that can turn everyday materials into new and innovative objects, but which can also inflict serious damage on their operators. And anybody can sign up to spend their days here for $125 a month.

That makes it one of the most visible outgrowths of "maker" do-it-yourself culture. I stopped by TechShop SF — other locations exist farther south in the Bay Area in Menlo Park and San Jose; the Detroit suburb of Allen Park; Raleigh, N.C.; and, coming over the next few months, Round Rock, Tex.; Pittsburgh and Arlington, Va. — to get a sense of its possibilities.

Analysis by Rob Pegoraro

Full Story: http://news.discovery.com/tech/techshop-san-francisco-maker-hangout-report-120920.html

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REPLIK8TR MakerSpace Updates

I wanted to let you know about the new equipment we’ve got coming in.

We felt it was time to get a more serious router, so we’ve ordered a Probotix Fireball Comet CNC router.
The new CNC router has a larger build envelope of 25"x25"x5". This size greatly increases the kinds of items that can be made in a single piece.
We will be able to carve a guitar body for example.

The resolution is also much better. I’m confident we can get a good printed circuit board milled.
The CNC should be delivered within the week. I will write up a post on meetup.com/replik8tr when it is delivered.

Link here:
http://www.probotix.com/FireBall_Comet_cnc_router/

We also have a new order of more Arduino stuff coming in. Check for updates on the forums.

REPLIK8TR is also looking for a new space. Our equipment is starting to fill the office. We also are looking for a more industrial space as our equipment is probably not appropriate for an office anymore. I have been looking but have not found a good fit in terms of size, cost, and zoning. Most warehouses and shops seem too large.
Do you have any ideas on spaces or know of a space? My budget is $400 to $550. Heat or at least insulation would be nice too. Our current lease ends November 1st.

Thanks,

Kyle Swanson

[email protected]