October 2020 Newsletter

President's Message

John Dubelko

Even though COVID-19 brings us challenges and restrictions about using our two locations, we are still open for our members. Our membership roster remains steady, with 170 Members, 102 Memberships, 74.8 FTE, and four new members joining Makersmiths in the past month. We are also giving current associates door rights until November 1, 2020 if they complete a New Member Orientation, now being held as virtual sessions, and completed at least one red tool class. Look for these offerings on the calendar found on our website www.makersmiths.org in Events and Classes. If you are an associate member requiring access, please send an email to AugustAccess@makersmiths.org so we can set you up on the August smart lock. We will need your full name, cell phone number, and the first date you plan to visit the space.

When in the buildings, everyone must wear a face mask at all times, with no more than three students and an instructor per class, or three people working in a large room. No spaces may be used for social or recreational purposes, as a substitute for work from home, a home office, or a remote work location. Please do use the hand sanitizers and wipes before and after using any equipment or surface areas.

We know times are tough, and finances may be tight. If you must drop your membership for financial reasons, please let us know. We may be able to work something out. Please send an email to info@makersmiths.org so we can get in touch with you.

Chairman of the Board of Directors Statement

Dave Painter

We offer a big thank you to Mark Millsap for his many years of service to Makersmiths as a member of the Board of Directors and as past president of Makersmiths. His expertise, ideas, and service to Makersmiths helped us grow to be a vibrant, nonprofit, maker space organization. Replacing Mark on the Board of Directors is Jonathan White, who will also serve as its secretary. We also want to thank Brad Hess, who will remain on the Board of Directors, but is stepping down as its chairperson.

The strength of a nonprofit like Makersmiths is the diversity of skills and talents our members bring to the organization. So we ask, What is your superpower? What skills can you contribute? People Join Makersmiths for many reasons, but mostly they want to make things. However, they do not always have the skills or knowledge needed to do so. Fortunately, at Makersmiths, we have talented people we hope will be willing to share their skills and knowledge.

Members created training videos now located in our Makersmiths YouTube Channel.  Other members offer virtual how-to-create classes through Google Meet. However, aside from laser cutting in Leesburg, red tool training in both locations, and blacksmithing in Purcellville, our in-person training sessions are limited.

But still, there is pent-up demand for project classes, especially with holidays coming up. More members than ever before have time during the week they can spend at Makersmiths for completing projects, but they need training. So, what skills and project ideas are you willing to share with others? You could mentor someone one-on-one or offer a class with one instructor to no more than three students. Please let me know of your interest to do so! Contact Dave Painter.

Up and Coming!

Makersmiths will be hosting a Habitat for Humanity workshop at Makersmiths-Purcellville on Monday, November 2 from 4-7PM to help teens learn to make flower boxes.  We will need 2-4 volunteers to assist with leading the groups that we intend to keep small. Volunteers need to be red tool certified and bring masks to wear (image to the left was taken at a past workshop). Please contact Brad Hess to volunteer. 

What's New?

In this time of COVID-19 when we have temporarily suspended our regularly scheduled open houses, the IT committee headed by Michael James, is developing an interactive calendar so that people who would like to take a tour of our facilities can connect with available members to arrange a time. When the calendar is completed, our webpage will be updated to direct folks who are looking for a tour to access the calendar and make a request to tour the facilities. We will also need members who are willing to give the tours. Please let Michael James know that you are available for tours!

Spotlight

This month we would like to spotlight members Jon White and Bob Ragsdale and the EBF CNC at Makersmiths-Purcellville. Bob learned how to use Fusion 360 to design a student desk and Jon White worked with Bob to learn how to use the CAD design with the EBF to cut out the pieces for the desk. See this video of the EBF in action and watch how the desk was finally assembled. Questions? Contact Jon or Bob. 

Steward Speak

The Metal Shop in Purcellville is finally up and running! Here is a list of some of the equipment that is available; Gorton Knee Mill, South Bend 13” Tool Room Lathe, 3’ X 4’ Precision Granite Surface Plate, Multiple Grinders with an assortment of grinding wheels, 2” X 72” Belt Grinder, Cold Cut Chop Saw, Horizontal Bandsaw, Sliding Column Vertical Bandsaw, Round column Mill-Drill, Large Variable Speed Drill Press, 12” disc/6” Belt Sander, Tabletop Milling Machine, 36” Box and Pan Brake, Sheetmetal Corner Notcher, Electric/Hydraulic Press,  Chevalier 6” x 18” Precision Surface Grinder, Foundry Furnace, manual automotive tire changer. The Metal Shop joins the Paint and Powdercoat area and the Welding Shop that were already in operation. Questions? Contact Dave Painter. 

Committee Chat

To answer the call to demonstrate your superpowers, the Scheduling Committee asks you to please consider the following questions. Do you know Fusion 360 and are willing to give virtual classes on how to get started learning this design program? Do you know how to weld to make horseshoe wine bottle racks? Are you willing to share special techniques to make cutting boards? Are you skilled with the laser cutter and can teach others to make customized ornaments, coasters, or trivets? How about showing others how to print banners or posters with our wide format printers? What about demonstrating imprinting t-shirts or mugs to make customized gifts? We have mug and t-shirt presses ready to use! Is woodturning your passion, and you are willing to teach others to make wooden pens or candlestick holders? What sewing classes are you willing to offer? It is a great time to create Christmas stockings, sachets from dried flowers grown in our summer gardens, or table runners for holiday dinners.

Please email Diane Painter, chairperson of the Scheduling Committee to let us know of your interest in offering a workshop or teach a class. You may also join us in our monthly virtual committee meetings to discuss options for sharing your making knowledge and skills. The meeting agenda and the URL to the Google Meet are posted each month in Slack's Scheduling Committee channel.