January 2023 Newsletter

Monthly Membership Meeting

February 2  7:30pm to 8:30pm


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Leesburg Workday February 4  9am - 2pm

Purcellville Workday February 4   9am - 2pm

There's something for everyone - get those volunteer hours in!

President's Message

Adam "Squirrl" McClintock

Greetings Makers,

I have added some Intro to Blacksmithing classes at the Blacksmithing shop in Purcellville which continue to book up quickly. I will continue to put more of those up as long as interest remains.  I put up another Red Tools class which nearly instantly filled so I will get some more BS Red Tools classes on the schedule as well.

Secret Santa was a great success and I encourage everyone to look out for it next year.

As always, we are looking for people to give/host classes.  In order to support this effort I, along with the scheduling committee and some stewards are developing a new program to help people who are interested in teaching to develop and post a class. Please keep an eye out for these workshops when they go live.You don’t have to be an expert on a subject to give a class you just need the time and willingness to organize something. If you don’t know where to get started you can ping me directly on Slack or start up a conversation in the #host_a_class channel.

There have been some updates to our bylaws and standing rules if you’d like to review those changes please find them on our wiki, link below.http://wiki.makersmiths.org/display/MAK/Bylaws+and+Standing+Rules

I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at the next Membership Meeting which will be Wednesday, February 1st, 2023 starting at 7:30pm with a pre-meeting hangout starting at 7:00pm if you are interested in a little chit chat and goofing off.

Feel free to engage me with any suggestions, questions, requests for help or just a “How do you do?”

Sincerely,


C. Adam “Squirrl” McClintock
President, Makersmiths

Update to the Bylaws and Standing Rules

Jonathan White

In order to more effectively run the Makersmiths organization, we recently reviewed the current Bylaws and Standing Rules. These changes allow us to streamline processes and reduce the burden of additional meetings without minimizing Director input. Below are some of the changes we approved at the last Board Meeting. The most current versions of the Bylaws and Standing Rules, as well as minutes to all our Board Meetings, can be found on the Wiki.

  • Donations are important to Makersmiths but under our rules, the Board of Directors was required to approve almost every donation, no matter how small.  The updated rules define types of donations and who has the authority to accept each type so that every donation doesn't require Board approval, but works to ensure we don't end up with equipment that ends up being expensive to maintain, operate or dispose of.
  • Sometimes quick decisions are required by the Board, such as in a recent example where a decision to accept a grant was required.  Under prior rules, the requirements to hold a meeting with less than 7 days notice were sometimes difficult to meet, even if everyone on the Board already said they intended to vote the same way.  The Bylaws were updated to allow proxy voting at Special Meetings to help make it easier to complete specific business items when on a short timeline, and specified how Directors need to be notified of Special Meetings.
  • Getting quorum at the Annual Meeting of the Membership where new Directors are elected has always been tough and we often barely scrape together enough people to reach quorum so that we can elect the new class of Directors.  The rules were updated to give people more time to consider the candidates they want to vote for and to provide an auditable way to vote early for Directors so that we're not scrambling during the meeting to make sure enough people attend.
  • Changed the rules to allow Officers (the President and Treasurer) to make motions at Board Meetings instead of requiring another Director to make the motion for them.
  • Codified the rule giving one free hour of lasercutter time each month to Members.

Makersmiths Education Initiatives

Diane Painter

2023 Student Mentorship Initiative

What’s a gimbal? A gimbal uses sensors and motors to stabilize and support something, like a camera when you are trying to take a photo. But what about someone with shaky hands trying to hold a cup of water? In what ways would a gimbal device be useful? This is what Woodgrove HS student, Madison Grove, is trying to figure out in Mr. Young’s research class. Her teacher suggested she contact Makersmiths, Inc. for mentorship advice and help in making a gimbal device that could be used with someone with Parkinson’s disease. Diane Painter introduced Madison to Shenandoah University’s occupational therapist faculty member, Callie Victor, to learn more about the needs of those with the disease. Then she was matched with Makersmiths’ members Dave Painter and Jim Waldron for technical advice. Here is her proof of concept, a device that she designed and created. What are her next steps to improve the device? Find out in later editions of our Makersmiths’ newsletter when we report her design and making progress.



 
 

KidWind 2023

KidWind is again off to a great start this school year! Eighteen students in grades four through nine are working with several Makersmiths members who are serving as KidWind coaches and parent helpers. We have three teams completing projects that will be entered into the Northern Virginia Regional KidWind Challenge at Shenandoah University on March 15.

Adam Pricer and his wife, Ganit, meet with eight middle school students every Thursday evening at Makersmiths-Purcellville to work on a middle school solar project. Four of those team members were on last year’s award winning Makersmiths’ Silver Blades wind turbine team! This year’s middle school solar team name is Operation Cheap and Clean. So far, the team has learned that when light (like the sun shining onto a solar panel) is absorbed by the PV cells in the solar panel, the light energy creates electrical charges that move in response to an internal electrical field in the cell, causing electricity to flow. The team wants to create a “city” that will have their electricity needs met by solar power. So far, team members have all kinds of ideas about what will be demonstrated in their city. Stay tuned to learn more about their project in later newsletter editions!

Andrew Taylor (known as AJ) is a new Makersmiths member, and he volunteered to coach a middle school wind turbine team! Assisted by parent volunteer, Nick Richard, four students meet as a team each Friday evening at Makersmiths-Leesburg. The team’s name is Hot HAWTs (HAWT stands for horizontal axis wind turbine). All four students are new to KidWind, so to help them get to know one another and to determine how they collaborate and problem-solve, AJ challenged them to a tower build. The object of the build is to see which tower is the tallest and can hold a golf ball at the top of the tower for at least 30 seconds!

Now the team is in the design and create process of making turbine blades. The team members chose a variety of materials to make their first set of blades. Currently they are learning to determine pitch of the blades on the turbine’s hub, how to read a multimeter to determine voltage and current, and how to change a variable (such as number of blades or use a different pitch) to see how a wind turbine’s performance in generating energy improves.

Justin McMillen is coaching a high school solar team called The Neighborhood WATTS. There are six team members. Three team members are returning participants and three are new to KidWind. The team meets on Sunday afternoons at Makersmiths-Leesburg.  Justin is assisted by parent volunteer, Lily Ramadan. What are amps? In what ways does a solar battery store excess electricity generated by solar panels? How do we calculate the size of a battery that might be needed for a solar project? These are all questions and investigations being made by the high school team as they plan for and will construct their team’s solar project.

Want to learn more about KidWind at Makersmiths? Visit Makersmiths Renewable Energy KidWind Projects at https://sites.google.com/su.edu/kidwind2023/home.

Makersmiths member, Diane Painter, is on the planning team for the Northern Virginia Regional KidWind Challenge to be held Wednesday, March 15 at Shenandoah University. We are looking for judges with renewable energy experiences (solar or wind), or related career experiences in renewable energy industries. Please let her know of your interested in helping with KidWind challenges in Virginia. Contact her at diane.painter@makersmiths.org

Soapin You'd Be My Valentine

Join this family-friendly, fun, soap making class just before Valentine's Day! It's all happening on Saturday, February 11 from 1:00-2:30pm at MS-P. A registered teen or adult may bring a child as a helper - or come alone if you wish! We will make Lavender Chamomile and Honey-Almond-Oatmeal guest soaps using a melt and pour process. Each paying registered participant will receive a silicone mold (as pictured above) that will make 8 luxury soaps and a few other heart shape soaps any Valentine would love! Directions will be shared so participants can continue making soaps at home

Find more details on the Makersmiths website on the Events Calendar!

MAGFest 2023

Jason Gilligan


Makersmiths started the year off with a bang by tabling a booth at the 2023 Music and Gaming Festival (MAGFest) from January 5th through 8th, as part of the convention's plans to grow their makerspace area. Nine members were involved throughout the weekend, talking with attendees about Makersmiths and the maker movement; leading classes on electronics, 3d printing, cosplay, and more; and running social events in the makerspace such as an interactive lego marble-maze. By the end of the long weekend, we had handed out over 150 flyers, run three panels, and already had been invited back by MAGFest for 2024. If you'd like to get involved with MAGFest next year or any of our other upcoming events such as the Leesburg Flower & Garden Festival this April, please reach out to marketing@makersmiths.org



 
 

Intro to 3D Printing - FDM

Have you previously taken a 3D Printer Class at Makersmiths?

We have updated our 3D printers across Makersmiths and the Intro to 3D Printing - FDM class is a required refresher for those who took a 3D Printing FDM red tool class prior to November 1, 2021.

The 3D printers that you were previously sign-off on are no longer being used at Makersmiths. We now have identical Neptune 3, Longer LK5 Pro, and Ender-3 V2 units (shown below, in order) at both the Leesburg and Purcellville spaces.

In an effort to keep the printers running smoothly and minimize maintenance downtime, as well as to familiarize you with our new equipment, you are required to attend this refresher class in order to maintain your 3D Printing FDM tool authorization sign-off.

In this class, you'll learn how to set up, operate, and shut down the printers as well as a basic review of the latest version of Cura slicer.  We will also discuss best practices and troubleshooting tips.

This refresher class will allow you to use the 3D printers (FDM) at both MS-L and MS-P.

This class will be virtual.

Questions: Contact Scott Silvers (scott.silvers@makersmiths.org)


 
 
 

Your Onestop Sawstop Info for the New Year!

Part 1: How to avoid SawStop table saw failures

Mike DeWan

When you attended the red tool training class for the Leesburg wood shop you should recall that you are responsible for the cost to replace the cartridge and the saw blade if it fires while you are using the saw. Replacing these 2 items is about $140 and will keep the saw out of service for days until the parts can be replaced. In order to minimize table saw problems and accidently firing the brake cartridge here are a few tips that will improve the table saw performance and availability.

DO THIS EVERYTIME BEFORE YOU USE THE SAWSTOP

1.If you have not received a formal checkout on replacing the blade guard or the riving knife you are not authorized to do these procedures. Contact a red tool trainer to get the required checkout.

2.Before powering on the saw make a physical check of the blade guard to confirm that it is not touching the blade and that there is a reasonable amount of clearance between the blade and the riving knife on the guard. If the blade and guard are touching the cartridge will fire immediately when the start switch is turned on.

3. Raise and lower the blade a couple inches before turning on the saw and make sure the bade can be easily raised and lowered without coming in contact with each other.

4. Run the metal detector over the entire surface of all the wood you are cutting. Small wire brads hidden in wood are enough to cause the brake to fire when the blade contacts one of these.

5. Inspect the throat plate and make sure it sits even with the top of the table. Especially give close attention to the rear of the throat plate (The end close to the motor) and make sure it does not extend above the surface of the table.

AFTER YOU HAVE COMPLETED USING THE SAW

Remove the throat plate and use compressed air to clean out all saw dust that has accumulated inside the saw. The compressor and hose are in the dust collector room and an air gun hangs on the wall beside the saw. When the interior is clean and free of saw dust replace the throat plate and clean up the saw dust under and around the saw.

Advanced SawStop Information

Mike DeWan

Help us protect both you and the equipment thru training and demonstrated proficiency with the Tool Steward

Completion of the Leesburg Woodshop Red Tool class includes authorization for basic use of the SawStop Table Saw, however, additional training is required for some of its more advanced features. MS-L SawStop Advanced authorization includes blade and cartridge replacement, blade guard removal, and dado blade installation.

The table saw is a versatile and powerful tool, but it can be extremely hazardous to operate if proper safety precautions are not followed. One hazard of a table saw is the risk of kickback, which occurs when the wood being cut binds on the blade, causing the material to be thrown back at the operator. Another hazard of a table saw is the risk of cuts from the blade, which can occur if the operator's hands or fingers come into contact with the blade while it is in motion.

One safety feature that has been developed to address the hazards of a table saw is the SawStop system. The SawStop system uses sensors to detect when the operator's skin comes into contact with the blade, and it automatically stops the blade within 5 milliseconds of contact.

This can greatly reduce the severity of injuries sustained in table saw accidents, but it results in the destruction of the blade and cartridge that stops the blade. Replacement is an advanced procedure and the cost can be ~$150. Other safety features of a table saw include a blade guard, which covers the blade when it is not in use, and a riving knife, which helps to guide the wood being cut and keep it from binding on the blade. Removal of these components is also an advanced procedure.

A dado blade is a type of circular saw blade that is used to make wide, flat-bottomed cuts in wood. It consists of a set of stacked blades that can be mounted on a table saw. One advantage of using a dado blade is that it allows you to make precise, repeatable cuts with a high degree of accuracy. This is particularly useful for tasks such as creating dados, grooves, and rabbets, which are all types of cuts that are commonly used in woodworking and carpentry.

Installing a dado blade can be somewhat complex, especially if you are not familiar with the process. It is important to follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully when installing a dado blade, as improper installation can be dangerous and can lead to accidents. It is also important to make sure that the blade is properly secured and aligned before using the saw.

If you wish to become authorized for the MS-L SawStop Advanced processes, contact shop steward, Mike DeWan. He can arrange to meet with you, review the procedures, and demonstrate your proficiency.

Make and Take:

Parent/Child Activity

Learn To Solder!

Learn To Solder While Making a Fun Project.

This class is for anyone who wants to learn the basics and may not have soldered before. We'll have a mini-class on:

·         Types of Soldering

·         Types of Solder

·         Types of Tools

·         Soldering Procedures

·         Helpful Soldering Tips


Then we'll make a fun small take-home electronic item. Get hands on practice with a simple-to-make electronic game kit from Sparkfun.

Cost of class includes Simon Says kit and a 15-gram tube of solder. We'll supply the soldering iron station to use to assemble the kit. And all the help & mentoring you'll need ;-)

We encourage teams of a Parent and child (~12 and older) to work together to make it together. Parent and Child will count as one for the purpose of class fee.

Class size will be limited to two teams.  Sign up early, this was a popular class when last we were able to hold it.  And if this one is full, not to worry as we'll be offering more sessions soon.  Stay tuned!

 

Bowling with Ken Fuentecilla

a little walnut...

plus a little resin

and some magic...and...bowl!

Heard around...

Volunteers needed:

We are currently updating our inventory list and need help collecting serial numbers off machines and listing anything not on our list. This needs to be done soon. Is there anyone/or a group of people who can help with this? This would be a volunteer job similar to helping on a work day, except you get to choose the time when you do it!

If you are interested, please let us know and we can get you started!

Look on the #Leesburg and #Purcellville channels in Slack for more information on how you can help

Have you seen the #hire-a-maker channel on Slack? Perfect for someone looking for a few jobs in their skill set or expanding their maker business!

Do you have a business you run using Makersmiths? Post about your business in the #makerbiz channel! We could all use some fresh holiday gift ideas!

The Newsletter could always use some new blood - share your projects, pitch some article ideas, tell me about something cool you've seen in your Maker travels! 

Cricut Basics Class Project - crafty!

Did you know...

Makersmiths has a blog on their home page? 

Makersmiths is on Instagram?

Makersmiths has a YouTube page?

Red Tool Classes are an important step in your Maker journey!

MS-L

Teach a Class @MS Planning Meeting - 2/3

Cricut Basics - 2/4

Red Tool Woodworking - 2/7, 2/27

3D Resin Printer 101 - 2/7

Big Red CnC Operation - 2/8, 2/11, 2/18

MS-L Electronics Night - 2/9,2/23

Getting to know your Sewing Machine - Lined Drawstring Bag - 2/19

Soldering 101: Learn to Solder - 2/20

MS-P

Wine and Welding - 2/4

Blacksmith Red Tool Workshop - 2/4

Intro to Blacksmithing: Forge a Leaf - 2/5

Red Tool Metal-working Basics - 2/9

Soapin You'd Be My Valentine - 2/11

Intro to Blacksmithing: Forge a J-Hook - 2/12

Red Tool Adv Woodworking - 2/12

Red Tool Metalworking Basics - 2/15

Makersmiths runs on volunteers!

Consider teaching a class or holding a workshop, especially in the lead up to the gift giving season!

check out the #host-a-class channel on Slack to get some help with your idea!

check back on the website - new classes are added all the time

TOOL AUTHORIZATION GROUPS

Dean Williamson

Makersmiths has lots of cool and useful tools, machines, and equipment.  Many of them require training or authorization before you can use the equipment.  The training can be as simple as an orientation, to a more formal “red tool” class, to demonstrating proficiency to the tool steward.  Such mandatory training helps ensure that all users understand how to use the equipment properly and safely, thus helping to keep the equipment running smoothly and minimize maintenance downtime as well as ensuring the safety of our members.

Below is a list of the tool groups which require training and for which we are tracking authorizations, or tool “sign-offs”. The tool steward(s) are listed next to each tool group, along with the method by which to get authorized to use the tools independently. Please contact the steward for more information about each tool. This list is not exhaustive of the tools available at Makersmiths and is updated regularly as we get new equipment or as needed.

The most current version of this list is posted on the Makersmiths wiki under “Tools, Materials & Training”.  Please check out the list.  You might discover a new tool that you didn’t realize Makersmiths had.

Tool Group

Steward(s)

Authorization Method

MS - New Member Orientation

Scott Newman

New Member Orientation Class

MS - 3D Printer FDM

Scott Silvers

Red Tool Class

MS-L - 3D Printer SLA

Michael James

Red Tool Class

MS-L - Big Red

Jonathan White
Brad Hess

Red Tool Class

MS-L - Lasercutter Advanced

John Dubelko
Jessee Maloney

Red Tool Class

MS-L - Lasercutter Basic

John Dubelko
Jesse Maloney

Red Tool Class

MS-L - Metal Shop

Brad Hess

Red Tool Class

MS-L - Router Table

Mike DeWan

Contact Steward

MS-L - Sawstop Advanced

Mike DeWan

Contact Steward

MS-L - Sewing Machines

Jessee Maloney

Contact Steward

MS-L - Tormach

Brad Hess

Contact Steward

MS-L - UV Printer

Melissa Kang
Mike Tomlin

Red Tool Class

MS-L - UV Printer Rotary

Melissa Kang
Mike Tomlin

Red Tool Class

MS-L - Vinyl Cutter - US Cutter

Dilip Patel

Red Tool Class

MS-L - Woodshop

Mike DeWan

Red Tool Class

MS-L - Woodturning

Bryan Boston

Red Tool Class

MS-P - 3D Printer SLA

Michael James

Red Tool Class

MS-P - Blacksmithing

Adam "Squirrl" McClintock
Jim Waldron

Red Tool Workshop

MS-P - Blast Cabinet

Scott Newman

Contact Steward

MS-P - EBF

Jim Waldron
Jonathan White

Red Tool Class and subsequent check-ride

MS-P - Gorton Mill

Dave Painter

Contact Steward

MS-P - Hydraulic Press

Adam "Squirrl" McClintock

Red Tool Class

MS-P - Kiln

Bo Wernick

Contact Steward

MS-P - Metal Advanced

Dave Painter
Jim Waldron

Contact Steward

MS-P - Metal Basic

Dave Painter
Jim Waldron

Red Tool Class

MS-P - Metal Lathe

Dave Painter

Contact Steward

MS-P - Plasma CNC

Jim Waldron

Contact Steward

MS-P - Plasma Cutter

Jim Waldron

Contact Steward for proficiency demonstration

MS-P - Powder Coating

Justin Cooper

Contact Steward

MS-P - Power Hammer

Adam "Squirrl" McClintock

Red Tool Class

MS-P - Sewing Machine

TBD

Contact Steward

MS-P - Surface Grinder

Dave Painter

Contact Steward

MS-P - Welding - Gas

Jim Waldron

Contact Steward for proficiency demonstration

MS-P - Welding - MIG

Jim Waldron

Contact Steward for proficiency demonstration

MS-P - Welding - Stick

Skip Smith

Contact Steward for proficiency demonstration

MS-P - Welding - TIG

Parker Brainard

Contact Steward for proficiency demonstration

MS-P - Woodshop Advanced

Dave Painter

Red Tool Class

MS-P - Woodshop Basic

Dave Painter

Red Tool Class

MS-P - Woodturning

Bryan Boston

Contact Steward


Board/Officer Name

Position

Term

Brad Hess

Board Member

2022-2025

Bev Murdock

Board Member/Secretary

2021-2024

Dave Painter

Board Member

2020-2023

Jessee Maloney

Board Member

2022-2025

Jonathan White

Board Member/Chairperson

2022-2023

Scott Newman

Board Member

2021-2024

Mike DeWan

Board Member

2021-2024

Adam "Squirrl" McClintock

President

2022-2023

John Dubelko

Treasurer

2022-2024




Makersmiths Leesburg: 106 Royal St SW, Leesburg, VA 20175

Makersmiths Purcellville: 785 S. 20th St, Purcellville, VA 20132

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