Toronto-based MakerKids is one of the world’s only makerspaces specifically designed for kids, and many people have asked us to share our recipe. We think of it as a brunch — there are many ways to make it delicious. Take the pieces of our recipe that work for you and make it your own.
I figured I had a passable grasp on what it meant to bring a great product to life, but I was wrong. In the past, I’d often look at technical specifications on product pages without thinking about the challenges of actually achieving them on a repeatable basis. Have you ever thought about what it takes to get there, every single time? Neither had I.
Interested in CNC routing but clueless about tooling? Can’t tell an end mill from a drill bit? Don’t be intimidated by CNC routing. Take the first step into machining by gaining a solid understanding of subtractive tooling basics.
If you’ve been to your local hackerspace/makerspace and noticed there weren’t many woman, did you stop to wonder why? Unfortunately a common reaction is to think, “I guess women just aren’t into hacking or building stuff.” As one of the few female directors of a U.S. makerspace, I know this just isn’t true. Here’s my perspective on the problem and what can be done about it.
Learning how to repair antique clocks seemed like a good way to commune with the master automaton-makers of old. I didn’t expect that it would turn into an occupation that would allow me to leave my cubicle-based job for good, but a few factors made it possible.
Ten years ago, I started iFixit, the world’s free online repair manual. Our goal is to teach everyone how to fix the stuff they own — whether it’s laptops, snowboards, toys, or clothes. And we’re not alone. iFixit is part of a global network of fixers trying to make the stuff we own last forever.
It doesn’t much matter what you call them — TechShops, makerspaces, hackerspaces, or Fab Labs. Makers are doing cool stuff, and having access to tools, community, and mentors really does matter. We need more local places for makers to work out new ideas.
