Hackerspaces, fabrication labs, community workshops – all denote places to invent, learn, and collaborate with like-minded people.
The Analog Issue of Take Magazine was inspired not only by the revival of so-called obsolete technologies such as vinyl records and film photography, but also the renewed interest in “doing it yourself” rather than letting mass production and the supply chain do it for you. Whether you want to make a wooden table, a sweater, a mini-robot, or a 3D-printed prototype, there is a maker space in New England for you. Such spaces may include 3D printers, computers, kilns, a dark room, a wood shop, sewing machines, and an etching press under one roof; or they may focus on one or two areas. Open to both professionals and the general public, usually via membership, maker spaces are springing up in old mill buildings and warehouses, abandoned storefronts, and libraries and other community spaces. Our list* focuses on full-time maker spaces that are open to the public and that offer multiple activities.
C o n n e c t i c u t
NESIT – Meriden
Hackerspace for information technology, workspace for woodworking, metalworking, 3D printing.
MakeHaven – New Haven
Workspace and equipment, with mechanics, electronics, crafts, art, design, programming, cooking, biology, chemistry, fabrication, metalworking, and woodworking.
Fairfield County Makers Guild – Norwalk
Community workshop and fabrication studio. 3D modeling and printing, electronics workbench, metalworking, woodworking.
CT Hackerspace – Watertown
Workspace and equipment for 3D modeling and printing, electronics workbench, metalworking, woodworking, kitchen.
MakeHartford – Hartford
Fabrication lab, woodshop, metalshop, electronics lab. Classes, private studios.
M a i n e
Open Bench Project – Portland
Wood shop, metal shop, 3D studio, ”hack lab.”
Chase’s Garage – York
Artist studios, seasonal gallery, year-round ceramics and printmaking facilities.
A Gathering of Stitches – Portland
Workspace for fiber and textiles artists, retreats, equipment rentals, studio space, workshops.
FabLab – Biddeford
Fabrication laboratory with digital tools, workshops, and classes.
M a s s a c h u s e t t s
Lowell Makes – Lowell
Classes, rapid prototyping, 3D printers, CNC mills, woodshop and metal shop.
New Vestures – Lowell
Fashion maker space with classes. Textile and yarn arts.
Einstein’s Workshop – Burlington
Family friendly, drop-in makerspace. Classes in science, technology, engineering, math. Fabrication services available.
Shire City Sanctuary – Pittsfield
Workshops and classes, gallery space, screen printing shop, sewing lab, commercial kitchen, studios, meeting space, event space, and cyber office.
Boston Makers – Boston
Classes and workstations for 3D printing, drawing, crafts, soldering, CNC routers, laser cutting, vinyl milling, small fabrication, tools, computer stations.
Beehive Sewing Studio – Northampton
Shared pay-as-you-go sewing studio and workspace for seamstresses, fiber artists, and fabric artisans. Classes, workshops.
danger!awesome – Cambridge
Retail fabrication studio offering classes and training in design, fabrication machines, 3D printers, laser cutters, CNC routers, vinyl cutters.
Cambridge Hackspace – Cambridge
Laser cutter, CNC, 3D printer, soldering tools, knitting and sewing machines, woodwork and hand tools.
Technocopia – Worcester
Workspace and classes. Routers, laser cutter, 3D printers, drill press, woodworking tools, soldering, microcontroller development, analog electronics development, sewing machines.
Artisan’s Asylum – Somerville
Fabrication center with classes. 3D printer, laser cutter, vinyl cutter, CAD/CAM software, woodshop, metal shop, machine shop, electronics, jewelry shop, bike shop, screen printing shop, fiber arts.
Framingham Makerspace – Framingham
Classes, activities, and events. Metal shop, woodshop, welding shop, electronics, multi-purpose area, ceramics, IT and computer programming.
Make-It Springfield
Classes in cooking, gardening, language, sewing, fiber arts, UAVs, arduino coding, bike repair, writing and 3-D printing. Open drop-in hours available.
N e w H a m p s h i r e
makeitlabs – Nashua
Metalworking, welding, machining, automotive, carpentry, electronics, laser cutting, 3D printing, programming.
Port City Makerspace – Portsmouth
Metalworking, machining, embroidery, woodworking, electronics, blacksmithing, 3-axis machines, automotive, bicycles.
Make It So – Keene
Tool-lending library, woodworking shop, work tables, ceramics, electronics, events.
R h o d e I s l a n d
The Wurks – Providence
Collaborative artists’ community with gallery space and studios, plus woodworking, metalworking, and printmaking.
We’re Better Off – Providence
“Digital free zone” with “creative” gym, analog cameras, typewriters.
Studio 55 – East Providence
Micro-creative fabrication space used by DIY makers, hackers, artists.
TinkerBristol – Bristol
Affordable access to shared space, 3D printers, rapid prototyping equipment, machines, and technologies, plus business development services.
FabNewport – Newport
Small-scale community workshop with classes. Computer lab, design and manufacturing software, 3D printer, laser cutter, vinyl cutter, electronic components, hand and power tools.
Ocean State Maker Mill – Pawtucket
Workspace and classes, 3D printing, soldering, technology-focused.
V e r m o n t
Generator – Burlington
Artist studios, classes. Business incubator with lasercutter, 3D printer, 4-axis mill, vinyl cutter, metal and wood workshops, hand tools, microelectronics station.
Laboratory B – Burlington
Hackerspace and meet-up space with microelectronics workbench, wi-fi access, desks, workbenches, tea station, magic bins, storage area, virtual machine server.
Top photo courtesy Generator Maker Space VT
THIS PIECE FIRST APPEARED OUR FEB/MARCH 2016 PRINT ISSUE AVAILABLE HERE
