Mat fab

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The Material Fabrication Sessions[edit]

Developing and sharing design techniques & hands-on fabrication skills useful for making material objects. Facilitated by John Magolske.

What, Where & When[edit]

What: An informal class covering the use of shop tools, with a focus on project-based learning.
When: 8:00pm till ~9:30 most Fridays (monitor the discuss list for exceptions)
Note: This main project for this class became building out the new space...we hope to resume classes in our new workshop soon.
Where: Noisebridge, 2169 Mission, San Francisco (near 16th St. BART). Map: https://www.noisebridge.net/wiki/Getting_Here
Who: Folks interested in learning how to use tools to make physical things (you?)
Cost: Free, but people may be asked to pay for the cost of materials from time to time. Donations of tools or money to buy tools for Noisebridge are welcome.

The Plan[edit]

The plan is to cover in our weekly sessions the basics of how to:

  • use fabrication tools: hacksaw, vise, drill press, bench grinder, lathe
  • use some basic layout tools (machinist's square, scriber, centerpunch)
  • create and read dimensioned drawings that fully define mechanical parts
  • understand and follow safe shop practices

With a project-based learning approach, the goal is for people to create things they're excited about using in their day-to-day lives. An initial project we're focusing on is making a small, portable book-press suitable for making pocket booklets. While we'll be going over the use of traditional basic shop tools, we also encourage thinking outside the box.

Additional project ideas / activities for consideration:[edit]

  • Enclosures for electronics projects (we're a bit limited in this regard until we manage to obtain a brake press and some other basic sheet-metal working tools.
  • Vegetable scraper
  • Artwork & artifacts to spruce up the Noisebridge space (lighting fixtures, space organizing thingies...)
  • Using a sewing machine to make booklets
  • Making booklets that describe how to make booklets and tools used for making booklets
  • Sewing shop aprons & fabric tool organizers
  • Musical instruments (& then maybe segueing into a Friday night jam session with said instruments)