September 2023 Newsletter

Monthly Membership Meeting

Wednesday October 4

7:30pm to 8:30pm

7pm for social and goofing off

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Leesburg Workday October 14 9am - 2pm

check the white board in the main room for additional tasks

Purcellville Workday October 7 9am - 2pm

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

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New Member Orientation

October 9, 23

MS-L 6:30-8:30 pm

register online

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Monthly Social

MSP October 8 4pm-5:30pm

Theme: Fall Treats

MSL October 24 4pm-5:30pm

theme TBD

Volunteers Needed

Jason Gilligan

Hello everyone! We currently have two events coming up that are still looking for volunteers. That being said, we did have to pull out of Bluemont last minute due to a lack of volunteers. Our standard practice for tabling events is two by two: two hour shifts with two people at the booth for each shift. Some events are exceptions and have specific staffing requirements (ie MAGFest), but otherwise this is our goal for events like Bluemont. If we don't hit this goal, we do not go to the event. I understand this time of year is very busy for people, myself included, so this isn't meant to chastise but instead to remind people to volunteer if they're able. Volunteering gets you access to the event covered by Makersmiths and gets your monthly two-volunteer-hour requirement out of the way. I want to thank those who did volunteer (especially those who volunteered to work far beyond the two-hour SOP to try to make sure the event happened) and I also want to thank @ralph.pugh for volunteering to organize this event on behalf of Makersmiths.

CATOCTIN HARVEST FESTIVAL

When: October 21st, 2023
Where: Catoctin Elementary School
What we need: Display pieces, mostly! Though if you want to help staff the booth, there may be a few spots available
Who to contact: Mark Millsap (here on slack)

SUPER MAGFEST 2024

What: A four-day convention with a focus on music and gaming, with a dedicated makerspace we share with NovaLabs that hosts different projects. Other attractions include panels/classes, merch and art vendors, museums and galleries, concerts, arcades, etc. https://super.magfest.org/
When: January 18-21, 2024 (10am to 10pm* but hours subject to change)
Where: National Harbor, MD
What we need: Volunteers! Convention passes will be provided, along with self-paid at a discount rooms at the Gaylord Resort
Who to contact: Jason Gilligan (me)

super.magfest.org

Super Magfest

Super MAGFest JANUARY 18-21, 2024 – National Harbor, MD More Announcements Coming Soon™ Register NOW! Health Safety Policy Become a Superstar!

Eagle Project - Powered by Makersmiths

Carter Hawkins, a Scout from Troop 2970, completed his Eagle Scout Project on September 3rd, 2023. His project included creating six trail signs for the Broadlands Community. These trail signs will help people better navigate the nature trails. Carter made use of the Makersmiths’ Big Red CNC Router to create his signs.

Member Mark Millsap worked with Carter, showing him how to use the Big Red CNC, and how to create his signs in VCarve and send those designs to the CNC. After instruction and design, the sign cutting itself took 5-7 hours. Carter and others then completed the final painting, assembly, and installation

Congratulations to Carter on being awarded Eagle Scout rank!

Ceramics Shop

Bo Wernick

The ceramics studio is up and running! We have had several classes including a pottery wheel class, and a slab roller mug class. I plan to offer a wheel class about once a month, so keep an eye out for those. Additional classes will be offered on request so if you have a project you want to do, let us know and we can make a class out of it! Additionally, if anyone would be interesting in leading a class, please reach out to @Bo Wernick on slack

Pictured here - a recent mug class!

and now a word from our members...

Em Wang - "Went over to MSP and used the plotter to print a GIANT sticker sheet (36”x32”). Definitely a childhood dream come true moment. Spending the day cutting out VERY many tomatoes and snails and possums. Thank you for everyone that gave me pointers and instructions!!"

Em Wang - "I'm using the rolls of self adhesive polypropylene provided at MSP. It's 36" wide and then $2 per foot. Including mis-prints i paid $6 for a 36"x32" sticker sheet"

The plotter really doesn't get the love it deserves for its fun applications!

From #Whatcha_make_today

Isaac Bowser's 3D printed glow-in-the-dark clown head...I wasn't planning on sleeping tonight anyway! (excellent work...terrifying!)

did you know...

you can find the newsletters from the last several years archived on our website?

Did you know...

Makersmiths has a blog on their home page?

Makersmiths is on Instagram?

Makersmiths has a YouTube page?

I think it is safe to say, we all want to try this!

aaaand, the surface is rough enough to color with pencils!

I heard...

there's a new baby laser cutter at MS-L that will eventually move over to MS-P!

Your email provider may be cutting off the end of your newsletter! Be sure to click "View Entire Message" if you are seeing "[Message clipped]" at the bottom of your newsletter

So many things to do at the MS-P workday!

Partial list includes:

Outside
Cut grass (we have a riding mower and gas)
String trim around buildings and fence (bring your own string trimmer and fuel)
Blow off driveways and parking area (bring your own blower and fuel)
Pull weeds and trim in front of green room entrance. (bring gloves and clippers)
Pick up hoses, inspect condition, move the good hoses to the storage area and discard the damaged hoses.

Green Room
Sand paint off concrete floor (Dave will provide floor sander and sand paper)
Dust/vacuum after sanding (use msp’s shop vac)
Move locker from green room to welding area
Use vinyl siding from storage area to cover sides and exposed wood on porch roof over entrance door (bring a step ladder)
Brush spider webs and dead bugs off porch roof ceiling and clean the light bulb.
Get rid of wall clutter and touch up paint in green room.
Remove speakers and other “stuff” from mezzanine.
Take front door off its hinges and use chemical stripper to remove the paint on the outside. Lightly sand door and prime. Replace door on hinges.

Wood Shop
Collect all unmarked wood and take to dump.
Sweep floor (yes, underneath machines, workbenches, and tables too!)
Dust tops of machines

Can you see yourself doing any of these tasks? Many hands make light work!

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!

100Women Strong 2024 Grant Cycle is open...

Now accepting Letters of Intent from October 2 to November 1 5pm.

Here’s the information you will need for the 2024 grants:

Nonprofits can visit the 100WomenStrong website to determine their eligibility for consideration. The group’s eligibility self-assessment can be found by visiting https://www.onehundredwomenstrong.org/grants/

If an organization is eligible, they may then submit an LOI through the Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties’ online portal at: https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=cflf

We are offering an optional online pre-LOI workshop for interested applicants on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. To attend the workshop, applicants must register here to get the Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUpcO-gqTkvHtQgZlOtDDEvlerwo2faFg8G

All organizations that submit an LOI will be notified of the outcome of their request by December 18, 2023. Select organizations will be invited to submit a full proposal for consideration due February 1, 2024.

If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact

Pam Ray, 100WomenStrong Managing Director: Pam@OneHundredWomenStrong.org.

The Fall Treats themed Monthly Social at MS-P on October 8 will feature Diane Painter sharing what she is learning about Cute Cutter, a free online program that converts a photo to an SVG that can be used in a number of CNC projects!

Mark your calendars for KidWind!

Interested in learning more about Kidwind? There will be a Parents' Information Meeting November 11 10am - 11:30am at MS-L.

Kidwind is a youth initiative for students grades 4-12. KidWind teaches youth about renewable energy initiatives that include students working in teams to design,build, and test out wind turbine or solar projects.

Look HERE to learn about Makersmiths KidWind Initiatives. Register to attend the meeting so we will know how many to expect

Governor's School Tour of MS-Leesburg...

If you happen to be at MS-L on October 13 9:30am to 11:30am, you will see a tour given to a teacher and four students from the Governor's School located in Shenandoah County. Check with Diane Painter with questions

Chess Night at MS-L

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

MS-L

Red Tool Woodworking - 10/3

Electronics Night - 10/5, 10/19

Red Tool: Woodturning Using a Lathe - 10/10

Streaming Internet Audio via RaspberryPi- 10/17

How to Crochet a Coaster - for Absolute Beginners - 10/21

Make a Stained Glass Window - 10/28

Monthly Social - October 22 4:00-5:30pm Theme TBD

MS-P

MIG Welding Beginner Workshop - 10/3, 10/10, 10/17

CNC Plasma Table Red Tool Training 10-12 and 1-3 - 10/8

Red Tool Woodworking Basics - 10/12

How to Use the Cricut to Make Halloween Party Favors - 10/14

Red Tool Woodworking ADV - 10/15

Red Tool Metalworking Basics - 10/18

Wine and Welding - 10/21

Monthly Social - October 8 4:00-5:30pm Theme Fall Treats

Makersmiths runs on volunteers!

Consider teaching a class or holding a workshop

check out the #class_planning_and_requests channel on Slack and join a meeting 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		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		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
Scott Silvers	Board Member	2023-2026
Jessee Maloney	Board Member	2022-2025
Jonathan White	Board Member/Chairperson	2023-2026
tbd	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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