Woodwork

Woodworking is supported at MakerSpace Ashfield with its own area that allows members to go through the 5 steps of woodworking.
They are :

• Planning and Design
• Cutting
• Drilling
• Fastening
• Sanding and finishing

Planning and design being the most crucial part of the process.
With wood being a natural material, each piece will have its own beauty and flaws that can be enhanced by the wood worker into something functional yet beautiful to behold, with a homely smell and tactile feel. So come on down and make something unique.
Woodwork is located downstairs in the basement.

Department Lead, Martyn Stone

Textiles

Hello and welcome to Textiles at Ashfield Makerspace. 
If you have ever wanted to have a go at anything textile based now is your chance.

Come along and meet new people, share knowledge and have fun learning a new craft. You can get your hands on fabulous machinery and equipment, from sewing machines, overlockers and knitting machines to small weaving frames, and a wonderful embroidery machine, plus our fabulous long arm quilting machine.
We also have an extensive selection of hand sewing patterns for cross stitch and embroidery, needle felting and locker hooking supplies and textile books, patterns and magazines to inspire you.
There will be lots of information to get you going, from taster days and tutorials to sewing and craft groups. Wherever your crafting imagination takes you we can help you get there!

This is your space, run by its members just for them. So get involved, share your ideas and have fun.

Textiles is located on the ground floor.
Department Leads Lynda Barnes, Yvonne Morley & Teresa Jackson

CNC/Laser/CadCam

CNC is the friend you didn’t realise you needed. It takes your creativity and helps you produce a perfectly cut result. If you design a beautiful button for that beautiful knitted cardigan, your friend CNC can make another 5 exactly the same.
If you can’t cut in a straight line, CNC can do it for you.
Not only that but it can cut circles perfectly every time along with curves to die for. Whether it be a sign, a wooden box, a button, or a model windmill, CNC can help you achieve results you could only dream of. If you can design it, CNC can help you make it real.
The CNC equipment are CO2 and Diode lasers, 3D Printers and Router.

We are very happy to announce that our 3D print area is now fully operational!

For those new to 3D printing this is a great technology that allows you to design and create plastic objects for a whole host of uses from functional things that you need, components to repair things, through to just purely decorative items. For those less inclined to design their own things the Internet is full of free designs that you can just download and print.

We have four 3D printers from BambuLabs. Two of the larger P1S printers and two of the small and fast A1 Mini printers. One of the A1 Mini printers also has an AMS module fitted that allows you to print up to 4 different colour plastics in a single print!

We can point you in the direction of some great learning resources or our 3D printing lead Matt is also running regular drop in sessions for those looking to develop their skills.

CNC is located both on the ground floor and in the Basement.
Department Lead, Matt Relf

Metalwork

Metalworking Just Got an Upgrade

Big changes are happening in the metalworking area—and we’re excited for you to see it.
We’ve given the space a full revamp, reorganising and opening things up to create a workshop that’s more practical, more accessible, and better to work in.

The machine shop has been transformed—the large central crane is gone, giving you a much more spacious environment without losing functionality.
In our machine shop we have:

Colchester DB10S lathe
Sheet-metal folder/ fabricator/ roller (maximum 0.9 mm material)
Vertical band saw
Bench-top pillar drill
Bench grinder
Belt sander
Hobbyist milling machine

Over in the metal shop, improvements continue:
Two new vice stations installed on the workbench, hand shearer now in place and a brand-new tool board with more tools being added in the coming weeks.

In our metal shop you will find:

2 x vice station for holding your work
Vertical band saw
Hand shearer
Various Hand tools
Various anvils
And much more to discover

This is just the beginning. The space is evolving—and it’s here for you to use, shape, and make your own.
So roll up your sleeves, embrace the smell of oil, and get stuck in. Let’s make something great.

Department Lead, James Smedley

STUDIO

Record a book for a grandchild? Make a tutorial for your friends? Or use it as therapy to get your thoughts out. The podcast studio will be there to help you record your ideas to share or to keep for yourself. 
With multiple cameras, microphones and state of the art tech, recording has never been easier at our Studio. 

The studio is located on the ground floor and is currently under construction. If you have an interest in podcasts and would like to offer help setting up our studio, email us at info@makerspaceashfield.org.uk

Department Lead, VACANT

Other Crafts

Fancy doing a bit of painting, some print making, or maybe try some enamelling? 

Other crafts is the place to be. It’s the place to go for anything that hasn’t already been mentioned in the other departments.

We have a large range of equipment and smaller inner departments.

Our wet/messy room is equipped with screen printing stations, a Pooki print press for lino cut printing, a small Prometheus Pro 1 kiln for enamelling , a mug press, and areas for Batik work and Microwave glass fusing.

We also have a large flexible open area perfect for paper crafts, book making, jewellery making, leatherworking and gathering with fellow like minded makers to share projects you’ve been working on.

Other Crafts is located on the ground floor.

For a look round our department click here

Department Leads, Yvonne Morley and Sarah Smedley

Electronics

Our Electronics department offers a shared bench space for soldering and basic electronics work.

Available equipment:
Soldering stations
Hot-air rework station
Multimeters
Basic bench power supplies
Basic diagnostic tools
Solder and a desoldering pump are provided.

Members bring their own components and wire.
Use is subject to familiarisation and safe working practice.

Electronics is located on the ground floor. 

Department Lead, Steven Fowler

Financing

Though we have an income generated from our wonderful members as a non-profit community group we also depend on donations and external funding to keep MakerSpace running. If you’re interested in getting involved in some fundraising, or if you have anything big or small you’d like to donate to us, please get in touch via email at fundraising@makerspaceashfield.org.uk and we’ll will get back to you ASAP!



Our Treasurer is Teresa Jackson

IT & Digital

If we’re doing it right, you’ll never need us ;). Building access, subscription and equipment payments, training records, instructions and how-to guides, documentation, machine access and more, all delivered via each member’s key fob RFID tag which interacts with our bespoke Fabman Management System. …and if it doesn’t work, try turning in off and on again. 

Department Head, Matt Relf