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New Member's Guide and FAQ

This version was saved 8 years, 9 months ago View current version     Page history
Saved by Jon Davies
on June 9, 2015 at 5:34:07 pm
 

-Addition: "Can I keep my tools at the space ?"
-Edit: Replaced 'Makerspace' with 'Maker Space'
-Edit: Grammar & spelling

Maker Space New Member's Guide

Hi! This guide is here to help you find your way around and get the most out of the space. If you have any questions, just collar the nearest person who looks like they know what they're doing and ask them!

What we are
    Maker Space is a community owned and run working space. We've clubbed together to get a space for our members to work in and have useful tools and other resources to work with. There isnt anyone else, or any grownups looking after this place, its just us, and it works because everyone pulls their weight to keep it running and nice for us all.

Where your money goes
    Your monthly donation goes to a few places. Mostly it goes on rent and utility bills and other expenses of running a workshop (e.g. bog roll). Occasionally we spend money on improvements to the space, consumables and other bits and pieces. We are currently building up a float so that when we have to move somewhere else (which *will* be a lot more expensive) we can cover any funding gap.
    Even though we may appear to be a public open space or even a charity, we are not. Makerspace is an organisation created to provide space and tools to members of the Makerspace community. We get NO other funding apart from member's donations. Your monthly donation lets the whole thing happen. No Members, No Space.

Opening times
    We are open most evenings and all-day most weekends. We have a number of keyholders who have committed to opening for others on Mon-Thur evenings,. See website for exact times. We also open up a lot beyond stated opening times. Friday evenings, weekday afternoons and weekends are a regular occurrence. If a keyholder is heading in they will usually post on the discussion list to let people know. If you require access at a certain time, message the list to see if anyone is willing to open for you.  The open/closed status on the bottom right of our webpage is a useful indicator but if you are travelling any distance please message the list to ensure that whoever is in will still be around when you get there.

How to be awesome
    We're more than just a space, we're a community. To get the most from the space, interact with the community! Ask questions, answer other people's questions, or just say when you think something is cool!Join the mailing list (or at least read it on Google Groups occasionally), say hi, and come down to welcome wednesday. The mailing list is here: https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/north-east-makers

The Door
    If you're not a keyholder, you'll need to knock on the window. If you're travelling from far away, it's best to ask ahead, on the mailing list or on twitter and ask if someone will be in the Space to let you in, especially if you intend on visiting during off-peak hours (during the day, or late at night)

Warning!
    There's tools around that could do you harm but that's pretty unlikely to happen. Don't fear the tools, Don't avoid the tools, just respect them. You can also harm tools, such as the laser cutter, if you're not trained.

People in the Space
    The Hackspace attracts all kinds of people - some are chatty and some would rather work on their own projects quietly. Don't take this personally! Everyone works differently and it's not because they hate you!

Internet
    Be aware we are on a shared intenet connection, when using bittorrent to download legal material, throttle your speed, *DONT* download anything illegal

Storing items
    Only Members are allowed to do this. For small items, you can store as much as you can fit in your "member's box". Every member gets a rack space to keep a standard 32 Litre 18cm x 60cm x 40cm storage box. These are available for £3-£4 at places like John Lewis, Clas Ohlson, Wilkinson’s, Ikea etc. Large items may only be stored with special permission BEFORE bringing the project into the Space. It’s understood that some projects will be too big to store in your box and there’s no problem with leaving them in the space as long as they are being actively worked on and not getting in anyone’s way (put it away each night)  If a project is sitting  stagnant for a while  you will be asked to take it home as space is at a premium.
    
Donating items
    We need all sorts of materials, electronic and mechanical items to hack. BUT we don't need too much of one type of item. Always ask before you bring donated items to the space, to check whether it's as useful as you think. Don't just pick up junk from the street, however useful it looks - we are overflowing with that already, or it might bring unwanted infestations in with it.

    To keep control of unwanted items we regularly throw things away. Much of it goes through the 'hack or die' system - something designed to make sure that one hacker's jewel isn't thrown out as another hacker's rubbish. Larger items may be marked before disposal, but may be thrown away immediately if it's not marked, or brought in thoughtlessly.

    WE DO NOT WANT YOUR CRT.

Hacking items
    Please respect Do Not Hack stickers. If something looks large/useful, post to the mailing list asking about the status of it (if it's hackable or someone's project). Some items are considered infrastructure and should not be hacked without discussion with the community first.

    Flipside: if it has a please hack sticker, get stuck right in! you don't need to ask permission, the please hack sticker is permission!

Using things
    Feel free to make use of our wood/metal scraps, any screws & fixings you can find, solder, wire, components etc but please make a donation towards buying replacement items too. If you're into electronics, you'll probably need to bring your own copper strip boards, breadboards, customs ICs. If you're in the workshop, you may need to bring in specialist screws (we tend to run out of long screws), or other small, quirky items. If you end up with left over materials after you finish a project, consider leaving them on the please hack shelves in the corridor for other people to use.

Looking after the space
    The space is looked after by the members. Please play your part. If you leave without cleaning up your mess, somebody else has to do it for you, and you're taking away their time that they have for working on their own projects. It's deeply inconsiderate. Remember that a lot of people are using the space and, even if you could leave a dirty mug at home to be done later, you can't do it here.

    Especially :
    Don't leave dirty pots, plates, mugs around the space or in the kitchen. Wash them up and put them away in a cupboard. We have a washing up machine to help with this, but it can't deal with baked-on-food (and it doesn't fill itself or empty itself).

    Please only put any food waste or food wrappers in the bin in the kitchen to stop flies.

    Clean up after you work - whether it's paper shreds on the floor, odd components on the soldering station, sawdust and swarf in the workshop, paint in the sink .. it's your responsibility to clean it up(and more: if you find stuff left by someone else, please help clean up). Leave the space in a better condition than you found it

    Treat our furniture with respect. Using chairs in the workshop, standing on them, using tables as a cutting surface etc. ruins good furniture, it's expensive to replace and unpleasant for you and others to use.

    Do odd jobs. There are always jobs to do to keep the space useful. Whether it's emptying a bin, vacuuming a carpet or building an awesome machine, we can't function without all our members helping out. All our time is as valuable as yours - please don't leave it for someone else.

How can I keep up with what is going on at Maker Space?
    The “North-East makers” discussion list. This is open to all, but most of the chat on it concerns Makerspace and what it’s members are doing.  This is our main way of communicating to our members so you are encouraged to sign up to it as soon as possible.  If you want to know what is going on or have any questions not covered in this FAQ this is the place to ask them

    The Wiki http://makerspace.pbworks.com/w/page/43988787/Maker%20Space%20Wiki - It’s our main place for the storage of info. If you need to know something it’s probably already on here somewhere. If it isn’t and you think it should be, ask someone to create it. Or better still ask for wiki access and do it yourself.

    Facebook https://www.facebook.com/makerspacenewcastle – Useful links to interesting stuff and Monthly updates about what were are up to.

    The website http://www.makerspace.org.uk/ – All about us plus blogs, announcements and  links to everything else

    Twitter https://twitter.com/maker_space - occasional announcements

 
Can I keep my tools at the space ?
    If they are in your box - no problem! For other items, to have them permanently around the space it would be nice if others could utilise them. If you are OK with people using them please label them up as yours. Expect other people to use the items that are outside your project box, and despite everyone's good intentions, you might find that they wear out quicker.

Who owns the tools and equipment?
    Most tools and equipment at the space represent a shared resource. They have been bought by pledge drives or donated by members or the public. However some tools belong to individual members so please treat them with respect and care and ask if you are unsure about their operation.

Are there special instructions/ training for equipment?
    Any power tool and lots of hand tools are can hurt you or other people, and you can damage the tool itself if used incorrectly. If you have not used particular tool before, please ask someone who can show you how.

    Personal protection equipment is available for use. Gloves for handling irritants, Ear plugs / ear defenders for noisy work etc. For all power tools and any hand tools that can throw sparks or debris you have to use safety glasses. They're hanging up on the rack in the workshop.

Adhesives, irritants & flammables – Should be stored in the correct place in the workshop and proper handling procedures observed

 
There are some tools/equipment that should never be used unless you have the appropriate training or competency. These include:
    The soldering irons and the heat gun
    The Lathe – Currently being refurbished but once it is usable it will require familiarisation in correct operation and safety features
    The 3D printers - Please do not attempt to use these if you do not know exactly what you are doing . Beyond a nasty burn you are unlikely to hurt yourself but could very easily damage the machine, which represents a lot of time and effort on behalf of the members who built them. Ask on the list if someone can train you,  or attend a “3D Thursday” session. There are also wiki pages on our Printers to help new users out. If you print something using Maker Space bought filament please donate to the kitty beside the printers.
    The Laser – This costs £6 per hour (not including materials) and only trained members can use it. All laser jobs must be logged to keep track of payments and tube life.  If you just need a one off job, ask if someone can help you do it. If you want to use the Laser regularly there is a list on the wiki of people who are trained and approved to train others. Bring your own materials or for smaller jobs there are a number of donated offcuts that can be used for free.


Can I eat/cook in the space?
    Of course but please clean up after yourself!
    The dish washer has a dirty clean/sign on it. If you find it full of freshly washed stuff,  please empty it and set the sign to “dirty” so people know they can put items to be washed into it. If you put a used item in it and it looks full please set it away washing and set the sign to “Clean” so the next person to find it doesn't inadvertently add an unwashed item to it
    If you have food to share leave it on the table under the music server
    No strong food odours on visitors nights please.
    Please don’t leave food out overnight or leave smelly stuff in the fridge.
    Please only use the bin in the kitchen for food waste (including food wrappers).

How does the tea / coffee system work ?
    Help yourself. You are encouraged to make a small donation to the tea/coffee kitty or occasionally bring something in such as milk. Tea/coffee is usually bulk bought out of collected funds. If we are out of milk buy some, take the money out of the kitty and replace with a receipt. (or just pay for it yourself in lieu of a kitty donation)
    Visitors are not expected to pay for refreshments as we offer them.

Who cleans the toilets / kitchen / work areas
    We all do. If you stick some loo cleaner down the bowl, mop the floor , take the towels home to wash, clean the sink, empty the dish washer, sweep up, replace the loo rolls etc, please note it on the sheet on the kitchen wall so we can see what’s being kept on top of.

Credits:
Most of the well written, coherent parts of this was stolen from these places:

https://london.hackspace.org.uk/signup.php
http://wiki.nottinghack.org.uk/images/9/96/Nottingham-hackspace-manual-web-Nov2011.pdf


http://wiki.london.hackspace.org.uk/view/New_members_guide
https://wiki.london.hackspace.org.uk/view/Guides/Getting_started

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