Membership
24/7 access to the shop, a locker for your project, and a say in how the place runs.
What 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 subsidizing a Thursday night or a scholarship. |
| Scholarship | $0 – reduced | Board-approved for students and anyone for whom dues are a barrier. Just ask. |
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.
Cost should never be the reason someone doesn’t join. If the standard rate is out of reach, talk to us about a scholarship membership. It’s a normal conversation and nobody will make it awkward.
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 the waiver and do a safety orientation. Orientation takes about 30 minutes and covers shop rules, cleanup expectations, and where things are.
- Set up dues. Use the button below; pick the level and “monthly”.
- 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.
Set up membership dues Secure checkout via Givebutter. Card, bank, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Venmo, and PayPal accepted.
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.