Building a hackerspace all at once! - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: bbarbour
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2013, 10:18:27 pm
content: We have a growing hacker/maker group in my home town with about 15 active members and about 40 members "on the books". We find ourselves in an unusual (I think) situation. A few of our more active members have significant influence with the local university and there is a proposal for a 'university-backed' hackerspace. That is, actively funded and supported as community outreach with a location and supplies. Now I'm tasked with a designing the facility which means I have to supply a list of required equipment...While creating a dream environment for a bunch of electrical, mechanical, audio, and [insert other discipline here] engineers is pretty easy, on paper, I want to stick to the more practical/realistic. For those of you with experience with this type of organization, what sort of things are a must? Since we span several disciplines, and the purpose of this space is innovation (I'm certain this is university code for "stumble across something profitable"), what would your dream hacker/maker space look like?

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 31, 2013, 10:22:35 pm
content: Quote from: bbarbour on July 31, 2013, 10:18:27 pmIt all comes down to the budget.That will dictate whether you can have an Agilent lab, a Rigol lab, or a WunHungLo lab.Careful that they do not want rights to stuff "invented" there.

author: ElectroIrradiator
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2013, 11:27:40 pm
content: There are two things to consider here IMO, before you do anything else.First, then which tools you need would depend on what people like to work on. For instance what equipment I would like to see in a 'Maker Lab' is probably somewhat different from what a robotics enthusiast would be looking for. Personally I wouldn't buy a bunch of random stuff to put in my home lab, just because I have the budget for it. I would wait until I know what I need, or risk ending up with a bunch of stuff I never use.Secondly, just because people know what they need when it comes to tools, it doesn't follow that they also know how to use them. Specifically how not to damage expensive equipment and tools. Tools like milling machines, lathes and expensive electronic test gear can be damaged quite quickly, especially if the operator is inexperienced yet sufficiently enthusiastic to 'power through' problems. I'm afraid I talk from experience here, and this can be a sticky problem to get around due to the PC factor.To put this differently: Many people, who have the skills to properly operate for instance a large milling machine, will in all likelihood either already have or have had access to one if they need it. The same way as someone with the background to make good use of an expensive Agilent scope, will almost certainly have operated comparable equipment in the past, if he doesn't already have access to similar equipment elsewhere.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2013, 11:36:41 pm
content: I'm afraid ElectroIrradiator is right, that's one of the problems with hackerspaces.Looking after people and making sure they don't unintentionally damage things.The more equipment/tools are available the harder it gets because you may not have any one person who knows how to safely use/supervise all of it.The best thing to do is separate the workshop into areas with keypad doors. It's sad but works to stop people trying to use things outside of their area without help.Of course this all assumes your thinking of a hackerspace which is open to a large group of people that don't know each other.If its a private thing with a small group of friends you tend not have these issues.

author: bbarbour
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2013, 01:18:16 am
content: Good suggestions.At the moment, our active core are all people who are professionals who enjoy their job so much they go home and keep "working" much to our wive's dismay. We certainly wouldn't go so far as an Agilent/Fluke lab, but Rigol is within our budget range.I know there are risks but in our case, we don't currently have a "home" and this is an interesting opportunity. Some of the idea's that have been presented to us are1) Hold classes on electronics basics -- how to solder, basic theory, what is a capacitor, etc.. etc.. (yes, they could just watch Dave instead!. We have many engineering summer camps that currently work out of stuff in a cardboard box in a classroom.2) Work with the hospitals and local maternity-related clinics to provide 3D printed ultrasound results.3) Like #2, the community at large could have their work 3D printed / milled / etched / etc... (all of this for a fee for non-members of course).4) Work with the various university departments to produce prototypes of ideas. For example, recently a student in the physics department pieced together a camera and sent it into space on a balloon. It would have been neat to have put more sensors on board and some fancier logic than what they did (they basically sent a netbook with a webcam and gps attached to it).Ultimately, the purpose of my post is to get an idea from those of you frequent your local hackerspace, what do you prefer? Do you go there to use a key piece of equipment? Do you have a workbench equipped as a personal lab? Do you sit and chat with everyone and discuss ideas more than actually tinker?The reason I ask this is to get an idea of whether or not a "station" based layout versus a "workbench" layout is more workable. That is, do I spec out workstations complete with their own oscilloscope, multimeters, power supplies, function generators, etc... or do I design a "measurement station", a "testing station", a "soldering station", etc...

author: GeoffS
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 01, 2013, 02:29:45 am
content: My local hackerspace is not a large one and is funded purely by member subscriptions. There's typically 15 or so members at the weekly social session I go to although full members have 24/7 access so can do their thing when it suits them.Test equipment is fairly basic, a few older Tektronix scopes, meters etc. Stacks of passive components and the usual soldering irons, breadboards and so on.We have a 3D printer (Makerbot) a CNC router (6040 type from China) and a laser cutter/engraver, all donated or at least permanently on site courtesy of the owners.Lots and lots of computers (including a PDP-8), monitors and even an Oculus Rift.While it would be nice to have a big sponsor, you need to be careful of how such sponsorship affects the direction of the hackerspace. Best to let the members decide that for themselves.Any large donations should come without strings attached. as to how they're used.