Mat fab
The Material Fabrication Sessions[edit | edit source]
Developing and sharing design techniques & hands-on fabrication skills useful for making material objects. Facilitated by John Magolske.
What, Where & When[edit | edit source]
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 | edit source]
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 | edit source]
- 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)