Discover Hertford Online Forum

Topic

Topic ID 6581

23/05/2012 by Enoughofthat

Hackerspace

Lifehacker #8207;(at)lifehacker Looking to scratch your DIY itch, but don't have the room or the tools? Join a hackerspace! Heres how to find one: I've just posted this over on Ware Online as the potential premises are located there, but as I'm just floating the idea to gauge interest and practicality, it is appropriate to post it here too. http://lifehacker.com/5912598/how-to-find-and-get-involved-with-a-hackerspace-in-your-community?utm_campaign=socialflow_lifehacker_twitter&utm_source=lifehacker_twitter&utm_medium=socialflow I ran across this tweet and it re kindled an old idea for a community DIY workspace for people to do makey things with shared tools, benches like minded souls. I've got a few thoughts as to how it might work and a possible location but is anyone else interested in this sort of thing? All constructive comments and suggestions welcome.


Replies

Reply ID 88048

23/05/2012 by james

Brilliant idea, and I'd love to get access to a 3D printer or somewhere to do spraypainting that's not going to destroy my house. However, I think the biggest stumbling block to these is money. Shared tools are a great idea, but the initial outlay to get a wide enough range of tools to make it attractive for people to join is going to cost a small fortune. You're probably not going to get a grant out of this government unless you can somehow tart it up as Big Society. Really wish you best of luck, and if it ever takes off, I'd definitely be there.


Reply ID 88049

23/05/2012 by james

Following the links in the original article, here's the nearest hackspace to Hertford, in Shoreditch. Looks pretty neat. http://hackerspaces.org/wiki/London_Hackspace


Reply ID 88052

23/05/2012 by Enoughofthat

Well I have a kindred spirit in James. Inevitably, money is an issue but a small group pooling tools and chipping in to cover out of pocket expenses could get the thing started. Just working space and like minds an attractive proposition for me, but the skills could be quite marketable for small DIY repair jobs, furniture refurbs etc. 3D printers and cnc cutters were the "big" tool which I had in mind. There are several examples of DIY cnc routers on the web and making one would be the perfect first community project.


3 replies