Makespace Report: SLO Makerspace

Maker Talk
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I’ve been in California the past couple weeks and had a chance to tour a makerspace in my hometown of San Luis Obispo. I thought it would be fun to share some photos and observations. A family friend who was a furniture maker for years is a founding member and built their CNC machine.

Website: https://www.slomakerspace.com/

Observations/learnings:

  • They are not a non-profit although I’m not sure exactly what the governance model and for profit stuff might work as my tour guide wasn’t super familiar with the operations side.
  • They have a interesting connection to the local library system and a library card will get access to a certain subset of the resources/tools 4-7pm on weekdays when there is staff in the space and after orientation. Other areas and tools require a monthly membership and the usual pre-req classes etc.
  • They have a separate classroom area where they can run kids programs, and someone was running an enrichment program for homeschooled students called Mini-makers that took place during the weekdays. It sounded like this may have grown during COVID but is not happening as regularly now.
  • They have a ceramics area for wheel and handbuilding and metal forging capabilities in the metal shop, both of which are run by a steward with experience in those areas. (@mkmiller6 I figure you’ll appreciate this :slight_smile: )
  • Our tour guide is a ceramics artist and manages the ceramics area. I was really impressed with how tidy it was compared to others I’ve seen. She mixes all the glazes during off hours, schedules and loads the kiln, empties the plaster traps on the sinks, etc.
  • The person who oversees blacksmithing they found through a blacksmith guild/association in California, and they teach classes there on the weekends.
  • Flames/fire stuff for the propane forge and a cutting torch all take place in a covered outside area, the ceramics kiln (electric) is also located out there.
  • They have a very unique piece of equipment which is a frame jig for welding bike frames, although it was in the corner gathering dust.

Overall it was great to see another makerspace and learn about how they do things and what makes it unique. It also makes me thankful for the space/tools/community we have at Asmbly :raised_hands:t2:

Here are some pics:

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10 Likes
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So cool you visited there, I used to work in that building!

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So organized!

Love the Makerspace Report idea - let’s do more of that. Sharing ideas & inspirations from other maker spaces helps everyone out and helps bring us all together as a community.

Whenever I travel, I always aim to visit a maker space and see what’s up :sunglasses:

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@AlexL That’s cool, which company? I hadn’t been to the space since they moved there from behind the Trader Joe’s on S. Higuera. a few years back.

@JRO like Pokemon, gotta visit every one…it’s great to see the differences and ways they are setup and I would recommend as well.

1 Like