Membership
24/7 access to the shop, a locker for your project, and a say in how the place runs.
Visited on a Thursday and ready to join? Signing up online takes about ten minutes.
Start your membershipWhat members get
- 24/7 access to the shop with your own door credential.
- A storage locker or bin for works in progress.
- Use of every tool you’ve been trained on: laser cutter, CNC router, mill and lathe, welders, 3D printers, the woodshop, and the electronics bench.
- Discounts on paid classes and first dibs on class seats.
- A vote. Members elect the board and approve the bylaws.
- The community. Members with decades of experience in machining, electronics, software, and woodworking who like answering questions.
Dues
| Level | Monthly | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | $50 | Full access for one adult. |
| Supporter | $100 | Full access, plus you’re helping keep the doors open for everyone. |
Dues are billed monthly through Givebutter and can be cancelled at any time. Dues are not tax-deductible to the extent you receive access in return; donations are.
How to join
- Visit on a Thursday. Get a tour, meet a few members, and make sure the shop is what you’re looking for. Most people visit two or three times before joining.
- Sign up online. Use the button below. After you have visited at least once, you will sign the liability waiver and the membership agreement on screen, upload a photo of your ID, and set up monthly dues through Givebutter. It takes about ten minutes, and you can stop and come back.
- Do a safety orientation. Orientation takes about 30 minutes and covers shop rules, cleanup expectations, and where things are.
- Get your credential. A member of the membership team will set up door access, a locker, and your wiki and Discord accounts, and introduce you to the zone leads.
Training
Some tools require training before you use them alone: the laser cutter, CNC router, Bridgeport mill, Clausing lathe, welders, and table saw. Training is discounted for members and is run by the zone lead on request or on a scheduled class night. Once you’re signed off, it’s recorded on the wiki and you’re good to go.
Rules, briefly
- Clean up after yourself. Leave every tool and bench the way you’d want to find it.
- Don’t use a tool you haven’t been trained on. Ask; someone will show you.
- Damage happens. Report it right away so it gets fixed, and nobody will be upset.
- Guests are welcome when you’re present and responsible for them.
- Treat people well. See the code of conduct.
Full policies live on the member wiki.