gfc62
Well-known member
VA Garage Gang Get-together in Fairfax
Many thanks to goodfellow for hosting this year's get together at his cool garage in Fairfax. The weather and conversation were as good as it gets.
I promised to post a list of several local makerspaces and details about the CAMS metalworking group, their CNC meetings, and email list. Since the message was too long to post in the NoVA Social Group I'll revive this dormant local thread.
Hopefully others will find these useful.
Founded in 1999 Chesapeake Area Metalworking Society is a useful resource for metalworking enthusiasts and machinists near DC interested in meeting others and sharing projects and experiences at monthly meetings that alternate between Annandale, VA and Burtonsville, MD (http://cams-club.org/meeting/)
In addition to the monthly general meetings, CAMS also has an active special interest groups for CNC enthusiasts. The meetings are held the first Wednesday of each month in Lorton, VA and are listed both on the CAMS website and on meetup.com (https://www.meetup.com/NoVA-CAD-Meetup-Group/)
Even if unable to travel to the local meetings the CAMS email list is a rich source of help and ideas. Digest mode is suggested for first-time subscribers. (http://cams-club.org/listserv/)
Once a year in September or early October CAMS holds a 'yard sale' which can be a great place to buy or sell machine tools, tooling, and related equipment. The dates are announced on the email list and posted on the web site.(http://cams-club.org/events/yardsale2016.html)
Nova Labs
Nova Labs is a membership-driven all-volunteer makerspace based in Reston, Virginia that was founded in 2011. The 10,500 sq. ft. facility is located at 1916 Isaac Newton Sq West and houses classrooms, workspace, incubator offices and a shop that includes both common tools and advanced fabrication equipment. Members enjoy 24-7 access and help co-manage space by teaching classes, maintaining equipment, and promoting making in the community. http://www.nova-labs.org/about/
https://www.meetup.com/NOVA-Makers/
TechShop Crystal City
22,000 Square Foot commercial makerspace in Crystal City. Well organized with many basic classes available. (http://www.techshop.ws/take_classes.html?storeId=12) Membership Perks include: Access to tools and equipment – successful completion of Safety and Basic Use (SBU) class required for some, Spacious workshop with numerous large worktables, Free access to bin wall (parts and materials), Free use of conference room, Use of computer workstations with software, Wi-Fi with high speed Internet access, and more http://www.techshop.ws/arlington.html
Makersmiths
Makersmiths is a membership-based non-profit Maker organization in Loudoun County, Virginia (71 Lawson Rd, Leesburg VA) http://makersmiths.org/
Catalaytor Makerspace
A relatively new Makerspace in downtown Silver Spring, MD. Equipment includes 60W laser cutter, Sapeoko CNC router, Printrbot, and Readybox 3D printers. http://catylator.com/
Greenbelt Makerspace
Greenbelt Makerspace is a non-profit activity center located at 125 Centerway, Greenbelt MD 20770
opened in April of 2013. Strong focus on youth STEM education. Primary technical areas of focus are computer science, robotics, microelectronics, and general science. Members are also interested in non-technical activities such as writing, knitting, crafts, and family game play. http://make125.org/about/
HacDC
Member-only hacker space, oldest makerspace in MD. DC. VA area. Primary focus on smaller, high-tech projects due to limited shop space. http://www.hacdc.org/
Manassas Innovation Garage
This is a group organizing makers interested in helping expand the spirit of innovation within the local community. The near term goal is to establish a dedicated group and build a portfolio of accomplishments. The long term goal is to establish a physical makerspace through the process of growing and building membership through project development. Once more established, the group plans to extend access to the space to others in the local community for STEM outreach, workshops, and individual development. http://www.meetup.com/Manassas-Innovation-Garage/
Catalyst Academy (Manassas)
Apparently inactive startup makerspace near Manassas, VA with STEM education focus. https://www.meetup.com/CatalystAcademy/events/225677371/
-Gordon
Many thanks to goodfellow for hosting this year's get together at his cool garage in Fairfax. The weather and conversation were as good as it gets.
I promised to post a list of several local makerspaces and details about the CAMS metalworking group, their CNC meetings, and email list. Since the message was too long to post in the NoVA Social Group I'll revive this dormant local thread.
Hopefully others will find these useful.
Chesapeake Area Metalworking Society (CAMS) http://cams-club.org/
Founded in 1999 Chesapeake Area Metalworking Society is a useful resource for metalworking enthusiasts and machinists near DC interested in meeting others and sharing projects and experiences at monthly meetings that alternate between Annandale, VA and Burtonsville, MD (http://cams-club.org/meeting/)
In addition to the monthly general meetings, CAMS also has an active special interest groups for CNC enthusiasts. The meetings are held the first Wednesday of each month in Lorton, VA and are listed both on the CAMS website and on meetup.com (https://www.meetup.com/NoVA-CAD-Meetup-Group/)
Even if unable to travel to the local meetings the CAMS email list is a rich source of help and ideas. Digest mode is suggested for first-time subscribers. (http://cams-club.org/listserv/)
Once a year in September or early October CAMS holds a 'yard sale' which can be a great place to buy or sell machine tools, tooling, and related equipment. The dates are announced on the email list and posted on the web site.(http://cams-club.org/events/yardsale2016.html)
Local Makerspaces
Nova Labs
Nova Labs is a membership-driven all-volunteer makerspace based in Reston, Virginia that was founded in 2011. The 10,500 sq. ft. facility is located at 1916 Isaac Newton Sq West and houses classrooms, workspace, incubator offices and a shop that includes both common tools and advanced fabrication equipment. Members enjoy 24-7 access and help co-manage space by teaching classes, maintaining equipment, and promoting making in the community. http://www.nova-labs.org/about/
https://www.meetup.com/NOVA-Makers/
TechShop Crystal City
22,000 Square Foot commercial makerspace in Crystal City. Well organized with many basic classes available. (http://www.techshop.ws/take_classes.html?storeId=12) Membership Perks include: Access to tools and equipment – successful completion of Safety and Basic Use (SBU) class required for some, Spacious workshop with numerous large worktables, Free access to bin wall (parts and materials), Free use of conference room, Use of computer workstations with software, Wi-Fi with high speed Internet access, and more http://www.techshop.ws/arlington.html
Makersmiths
Makersmiths is a membership-based non-profit Maker organization in Loudoun County, Virginia (71 Lawson Rd, Leesburg VA) http://makersmiths.org/
Catalaytor Makerspace
A relatively new Makerspace in downtown Silver Spring, MD. Equipment includes 60W laser cutter, Sapeoko CNC router, Printrbot, and Readybox 3D printers. http://catylator.com/
Greenbelt Makerspace
Greenbelt Makerspace is a non-profit activity center located at 125 Centerway, Greenbelt MD 20770
opened in April of 2013. Strong focus on youth STEM education. Primary technical areas of focus are computer science, robotics, microelectronics, and general science. Members are also interested in non-technical activities such as writing, knitting, crafts, and family game play. http://make125.org/about/
HacDC
Member-only hacker space, oldest makerspace in MD. DC. VA area. Primary focus on smaller, high-tech projects due to limited shop space. http://www.hacdc.org/
Makerspaces in Startup Phase
Manassas Innovation Garage
This is a group organizing makers interested in helping expand the spirit of innovation within the local community. The near term goal is to establish a dedicated group and build a portfolio of accomplishments. The long term goal is to establish a physical makerspace through the process of growing and building membership through project development. Once more established, the group plans to extend access to the space to others in the local community for STEM outreach, workshops, and individual development. http://www.meetup.com/Manassas-Innovation-Garage/
Catalyst Academy (Manassas)
Apparently inactive startup makerspace near Manassas, VA with STEM education focus. https://www.meetup.com/CatalystAcademy/events/225677371/
-Gordon
