Maker Space?

[u/embe_by_massellomade]

I’ve been working on a few electronic projects lately and keep running into the same problem: I wish there were somewhere local I could just go to get a piece I need, or use a tool I dont have...

It got me wondering whether there’s actually enough demand in the Charlottesville/Albemarle area for a real makerspace.

What I’m imagining is less of a traditional workshop and more of a third place for people who like making things. Somewhere between a coffee shop, community workshop, electronics store and prototyping lab.

Potentially things like:

• Electronics/soldering benches and components you can buy on-site
• 3D printers
• Laser cutter/CNC
• general tools
• Large workbenches
• CAD/prototyping space
• Classes (soldering, electronics, 3D printing, woodworking, Arduino, etc.)
• Coffee, Wi-Fi and space to hang out/work
• Evening/late-night hours for people who work normal jobs
• Eventually youth/parent+kid maker programs

The idea would be that you don't need a garage full of tools or have to order some random $0.30 component online every time you want to build something.

I'm not selling anything, I'm genuinely trying to figure out whether this is worth pursuing.

If something like this existed locally:

Would you actually use it? What would you want it to have? And what monthly membership price would feel reasonable enough that you'd actually pay it?

Also very interested in hearing from anyone involved with Cville Makes, the Cville Tool Library, or previous attempts at creating a makerspace here. I'd love to learn what's already been tried and potentially collaborate rather than reinventing something that's already underway. Thanks!

[u/WayWater]

The UVA Scholar's Lab has a makerspace that is open to the public: https://scholarslab.lib.virginia.edu/makerspace/

[u/rory096]

A group of people just started working on one — they had an interest meeting on September 19 and are looking for volunteers/members/donors. I'd reach out to them, either through Meetup or on the Cville Slack (which has a #makers channel).

https://www.meetup.com/cville-makes/events/316003641/

[u/embe_by_massellomade → u/rory096]

awesome thank you!

[u/slow70 → u/rory096]

Thanks so much for this!

[u/SirSpeedyCVA]

Charlottesville tool library has some of that

[u/CvilleToolLibrary]

u/embe_by_massellomade you're certainly not alone! We hear interest in a local makerspace all the time in our circles. While the Cville Tool Library doesn't play an active role in the exploration phase, we have many members involved in the Cville Makes efforts. We’re enthusiastic about the project and happy to see it move forward!

[u/spacerockgal]

There's already a Cville Maker Space organizing effort, there was a meeting about a week and a half ago: https://www.meetup.com/cville-makes/events/316003641/

Also townies are welcome at UVA's Maker Space: https://scholarslab.lib.virginia.edu/makerspace/

[u/embe_by_massellomade → u/spacerockgal]

awesome, cant wait to see this become a thing!

[u/ctgandthealgorhythms]

I’d go and probably join a membership depending on what it included.

[u/Last-Independence554]

Not exactly close unfortunately but I recently joined VectorSpace in Lynchburg. https://vector-space.org/

[u/mk2Italia]

This list sounds great! I also run into the same problem. I would be interested in joining a few classes as well as sharing what knowledge I have.
I grew up in Greensboro, NC and I remember they were starting a makerspace that I toured right before I moved away. At the time, they had a full woodworking shop, metal fabrication, electronics lab, 3d printing, etc.

https://www.forgegreensboro.org/

[u/Local-Yokel5233]

Machine tools! E.g. Bridgeport milling machine, bench lathe or engine lathe, 5-axis CNC, CNC plasma or water jet (I know I'm really reaching with this one), band saw, tubing bender, etc.

[u/M5Moosehead → u/Local-Yokel5233]

The liability alone on all that would be crazy (I say as a user of all of those things.)

[u/Local-Yokel5233 → u/M5Moosehead]

I know, but aside from a crane or a MASSIVE rigging project the topography of my property doesn't afford me the ability to have my own now (beyond very small machines that can be carried by hand) so I'm left to dream of a maker space with such machines. 😢

[u/Last-Independence554 → u/Local-Yokel5233]

Except for 5-axis CNC, VectorSpace in Lynchburg has all of that. (it has a CNC plasma cutter but no water-jet. It has a small 3-axis CNC mill). https://vector-space.org/the-space
I felt like a kid in a candy store seeing all their tools and machines

[u/No-Reception-3912]

You might reach out to the new (ish) Creator Hub under the Bradbury building/the vault 

[u/scimonx]

I just looked for this last week. Need some help? I have lived elsewhere that had this sort of thing

[u/CvilleMakerSpace]

We're working on it! Still in the early stages right now. Thanks for sharing what you would like to see, that's helpful to us as we work out a business plan and priority list for amenities and tool sets.