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And NO - this training is not at 2am :-)
We understand that some people may not have availability during the regularly scheduled Drum Sander Trainings Dates/Time.
Darrin, who is normally in the shop during standard week day business hours, has volunteered to do Ad Hoc Trainings on the Drum Sander for those Folks that work evenings or who are generally not available after standard business hours.
PLEASE NOTE: This is a NON-REFUNDABLE ticket. Once you purchase this ticket you may not request a refund/credit for any reason.
*Please Note: Ignore the "Spaces Left" on this Event. It will always show Zero!
Join us to learn how to use wood turning lathes to create your very own craft knife handle.
We encourage members and non-members alike to attend our board meetings!
The Board Meetings are normally held on the 2nd Tuesday of the each month, but may fluctuate depending on Board Member schedules/holidays. Please refer to our calendar of events for dates and times of all meetings.
All board meeting are held in person in the Artifactory as well as virtually online. To join the meeting online please visit https://go.tcmaker.org/boardmeeting
To view the agenda for this meeting, please visit this link.
To request an item to be added to the agenda, please contact President@TCMaker.org at least 5 days prior to any board meeting.
Open Circuits is open to both Twin City Maker members and the public at large. We'll meet in the Twin Cities Maker Electronics Lab and spill out into the lobby as necessary.
(on the docket for the foreseeable future)
It is not necessary to RSVP to this event!
This four step process includes: sign up, training video, practice quiz, and an in-person written and practical test on the laser.
Fiber Night on Wednesday in the lobby for anyone who wants to join! We'll be working on beginning knitting and crochet but are open to any other suggestions
Email artifactory@tcmaker.org with questions!
Twin Cities Maker (TC Maker) is a non-profit, all volunteer run, community maker space based in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area.
Our mission is to make, share, and learn.
We have a maker space (The Hack Factory) for members to build projects using various media and technologies, from wood and metal working, electronics to fabrics, laser cutters to 3D Printers and beyond.
We invite you to come visit our space and take a tour to learn about our community, and how you can participate in it. Wednesday nights from 7-9pm is also the best time to become a member!
Learn more about us at our website! https://www.tcmaker.org/
This event is a tour only. Non-members are not permitted to operate any tools or equipment. Appropriate safety precautions MUST be taken before entering the shop.
Come join us for a hands-on workshop where you'll the foundational skills to slice and start basic prints on any FDM machine.
Back by popular demand, this class will show you how to turn the wood you buy at the lumber yard or one of the home centers into truly flat, squared-up pieces suitable for everything from simple crafts to fine furniture.
You'll get hands-on experience and the essential techniques to use the miter saw, jointer, planer and table saws.
We'll also discuss how to achieve these results on large slabs and long boards using the track saw and various sleds/jigs for the table saw, planer and other tools.
When we've finished, you'll leave with four attractive, square hardwood boards that will work well in many foundational woodworking projects such as boxes, cutting boards or shelving units. The instruction provided here will be most helpful for beginner to intermediate woodworkers.
The instructor for this class is Darrin Minehan, one of our woodshop managers. He has decades of experience making wooden furniture and home-goods and loves to share creative, practical and safe methods for using our woodshop.
This time is set aside to perform tasks around making sure our tools stay in peak performance and trying to ensure that the tools stay in good working order during the following month.
Never repaired a tool or performed maintenance before – not a problem!! There are maintenance task for all levels of expertise – and we’ll always have at least one person around that can help you learn!
Whether you are a brand new member of Twin Cities Maker, or have been a member for a really long time but haven't been in the shop for awhile, attending a new member orientation will get you up to speed on the policies, guidelines, and culture of Twin Cities Maker.
Signup, download a copy of our handbook, and come to session. During orientation you get to meet some new people, have all your questions answered, and get acquainted with Twin Cities Maker policies, guidelines, and culture.
Orientation lasts for about 1 hour with time after for questions and support for any issues.
After you have completed orientation you will receive your fob to access the facility, which will be activated once have paid all membership fees.
If you are going to be working in the woodshop be sure to sign up for woodshop orientation immediately following this class. Check our orientations calendar to register.
All New Members are required to Pre-Register for this Orientation.
If you cannot attend an in person orientation, please reach out to membership@tcmaker.org so that we can work out special arrangements.
Wood Shop Orientation is a required orientation for all woodworkers.
During Orientation we will cover basic shop safety guidelines along with best practices that are necessary to use the wood shop at Twin Cities Maker!
https://wiki.tcmaker.org/en/shop_departments/wood_shop
Come join us at Autodesk Fusion 3D Modeling event to learn how to create parametric 3D designs!
Come join us to go over advanced settings of FMD/resin printers. Showing workflows on rapid prototyping by introducing CAD/Mesh software and
Mix resin, add pigments, give it a swirl and you'll create your own Paw Print or Minnesota Coasters.
This time is set aside to perform tasks around making sure our tools stay in peak performance and trying to ensure that the tools stay in good working order during the month.
Come hang out with one of our new woodshop managers on the First Tuesday of Each Month for this Free Class focusing on the tool at the center of most woodshops - the table saw.
We'll be going over basics of how to safely operate each table saw along with covering topics like:
If you've got a piece of wood you'd like to cut, bring it along; otherwise, we'll have scrap on hand so that everyone can have a try.
Avoid wearing loose fitting clothing or long sleeves that you cannot roll up. Make sure to wear comfortable closed toe shoes as you'll be standing throughout this class.
Get ready for another inspiring Twin Cities Maker Community Night! This month, we’re featuring Rick Strohmeyer, a local artist known for his bold and creative work. Rick will be sharing the stories behind his art, his inspirations, and how he brings his unique vision to life through striking visual pieces.
Whether you're an experienced artist, a curious beginner, or someone who simply appreciates original and expressive design, this is a perfect opportunity to dive into the creative mind of a local talent.
As always, we’ll provide dinner, and the event is totally free. Come connect with fellow makers, learn something new, and walk away feeling inspired.
Everyone's welcome—bring your ideas, your questions, and your creative energy!
Whether you are an experienced picker or brand new to the hobby, Open Locksport is an opportunity to meet other people in the area who are interested in picking locks for fun. Many regular attendees are interested in other security related topics as well, such as the intersection of cyber and physical security.
We welcome both members and non-members to attend Open Locksport any first Thursday of the month at 7:00 PM. We do ask that you RSVP to this event.
Whether you are brand new to picking or an experienced picker, stop by to learn hands-on from our frequent attendees or to share your knowledge while we explore locks and tools provided by TC Maker.
Resources
Text-based
A Locksport Primer http://www.locksport.com/home/index.php
This link leads to a PDF hosted by Locksport International that goes over some of the basics of locksport, locks and lock picking in a friendly comic book format.
TOOOL Learning Resources https://www.toool.us/resources.php
The Open Organization of Lockpickers is the most active locksport organization in the world, and maintains many well-developed resources in text and graphical form (slides) to learn the basics and beyond.
Lockpicking - by Deviant Ollam https://deviating.net/lockpicking/slides.html
Collection of slides and notes about many lock and lockpicking topics, some duplicated from Toool with some new material for those who want to go deeper.
Video
Learn Lock Picking: EVERYTHING you Need to Know! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTZddvAws9M
By Lock Noob, a prolific YouTube creator with hundreds of useful videos.
DEF CON 23 - Lock Picking Village - Preston Thomas - Intro to Lockpicking 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fU7-r83Nx3Y
Published by DEFCON, the massive hacking conference. A bit of a rough recording of a lock picking village intro, but sufficiently clear and quite succinct. Runtime 27 min.
[1424] Lock Picking… An Inside Perspective
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_sy3dLwHkc
By LockPickingLawyer, another prolific YouTube creator with massive amounts of lock picking content. This video shows some picking techniques in great resolution and detail utilizing a cutaway lock.
Bosnianbill – a retired prolific creator with 1800+ videos on topics at all skill levels https://www.youtube.com/@bosnianbill/videos
Where to buy lock picking tools, and what to buy
Best places to get a cost-effective and serviceable beginner’s set of tools?
Covert Instruments (LockPickingLawyer’s online store) https://covertinstruments.com/collections/lockpicks/products/genesis-lock-pick
Toool’s Equipment Page https://www.toool.us/equipment/Necessary-Nine-Pickset-p365089401
Red Team Tools (Deviant Ollam’s online store) https://www.redteamtools.com/essential-lock-pick-set/
Lockpick Extreme https://lockpickextreme.com/product/12-piece-lockpick-set/
All of these sets are similar in capability in price, ranging from $19 - $30 (before shipping) with the Covert Instruments offering edging out the others because of how they have narrowed the short-end of their double-ended turning tools.
When purchasing lock picks for the first time, it is important to realize that more shapes (profiles) don’t necessarily correlate to more capability. Keeping with the basics improves your versatility as a picker as well as keeps your costs to a minimum.
If you are interested in looking at more advanced sets, here are some manufacturers to check out:
Peterson https://www.thinkpeterson.com
Sparrows https://www.sparrowslockpicks.com
Multipick https://shop.multipick.com/en/index
Southern Specialties https://lockpicktools.com
SouthOrd https://www.southord.com
Additional online communities you might be interested in
The old-school forums that started the hobby in the early 2000’s are still alive and brimming with knowledge:
Keypicking https://keypicking.com
Lock Picking 101 Forum https://www.lockpicking101.com
Most day-to-day conversation has migrated to Reddit, mainly r/lockpicking https://www.reddit.com/r/lockpicking/
Lockpickers United Discord https://discord.gg/lockpicking
Our Japanese tool box workshop teaches thoughtful creating for makers of all levels. This isn't just about following instructions; it's about understanding why things are made the way they are. Through clear, step-by-step guidance, you'll make a humble toolbox while gaining practical woodworking skills. We'll cover different construction methods and materials, explaining the trade-offs to help you make informed decisions in your future work. Learn by making a functional piece, developing an appreciation for craftsmanship, and building the confidence and understanding for your next project. Ready to learn and make? Sign up now! Space is limited.
Note:
Class will go from 6pm - 9pm on June 6th. There will also be an additional open shop hours on Sat 8 to 11am when the instructor can help you put finishing touches on the project if you need it.
The class is designed for makers of all experience levels with the focus to improve the creation of your next project. A maker taking the class should be able to read instructions and plans, measure, and ready to use the Sawsall, chop saw, planner, and joiner.
This workshop will teach you how finish projects by making a Japanese toolbox. You'll learn the basics of using common power tools and hand tools as we build the box. This will help you understand how these tools work safely and how they help put the toolbox together. What's most important is that you'll learn why things are built the way they are to make them strong and useful.
In this class, you will read a plan and the how to get your wood the right size by measuring carefully. Then, you'll learn to make straight and safe cuts using the table saw to cut wood to the right width and the chop saw to cut pieces to the correct length. You'll also learn how to use the jointer to make one side of the wood flat and square, and the planer to make the other side smooth and the wood the right thickness. These steps help make sure all the parts of your toolbox fit together.
Please ready for classroom instruction to start with a pencil and notebook. Then wear appropriate closed toe shoes and work like clothing for the shop. The shop has safety equipment, but you are encourged to bring your own. Lumber will be provided as well as the needed fasteners.
After Tim Bednar's time at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design ended in 1992, Tim's done a lot, so he brings a unique perspective to the maker community. From serving as a minister in the Powderhorn neighborhood and working as a web developer, he thinks deeply about the process of building objects created for how people really live. A return to furniture making in 2022 led him to join TC Maker in late 2023. Now an assistant woodshop manager, he loves “making” in collaboration others at TC Maker.
Join this in-person orientation to learn more about the CNC routers at Twin Cities Maker.
Orientation will start in the classroom—not the CNC room.
Agenda:
CNC orientation is generally held on the second Friday of the month.
This is orientation required for use of the metal shop at TC Maker Minneapolis. We explain our equipment, safety procedures, storage and training requirements for our more advanced tools. Also provide recommendations for PPE, consumables and other things to help make your use of the metal shop effective for you and our other members.
At 6:45 we will do a brief training for use of the metal shear, which requires in-person checkoff. Following that, you will be allowed to use our 4' sheet metal shear. You can attend either or both sessions if you wish.
Please be on time and let me know if you cannot attend. Thank you
This orientation will show the basics of FDM 3D printing and lab etiquette to get you checked off to use FDM 3d printers. Upon completion you will be checked off for use of these particular machines. If you have not taken the 3D lab orientation please let the instructor know.
(FDM = Fused Deposition Modeling)
This class will cover the use of the SLA/DLP 3D printing machines. We will go over the etiquette and safety procedures of handling the materials and machines. Upon completion you will be checked off for use of these particular machines. If you have not taken the 3D lab orientation please let the instructor know.
Starting a New Project and just don't know what your first step is? Need some additional help or guidance on advanced techniques/jigs on the tools? Just want to hang out and listen to other people's questions and solutions?
Stop in to the Wood Shop on this night for a drop-in Q&A Session. We'll have one or two volunteers around who will be available to help you with any of your Wood Shop related questions!
1. Basic/Beginner Questions on how to use Table Saws
2. CNC/Laser Related Questions
3. Lathe / Turning Questions
4. Drum Sander Training/Questions
Join the CNC Club at Twin Cities Maker, a vibrant community for CNC enthusiasts! Whether you're a seasoned expert or just curious about CNC technology, this club offers a space for members and interested newcomers to engage, share insights, and deepen their understanding of CNC machinery and techniques.
During our gatherings, the Shapeoko2 and the Sequoyatec 4×8 machines are exclusively available for club activities, providing hands-on experience. We encourage you to bring your projects, questions, or simply your enthusiasm for learning—there's something for everyone, from practical demonstrations to engaging discussions.
Our club convenes on the second Thursday of every month, from 7pm to 9pm, promising an evening filled with fascinating topics and guest speakers who are experts in the field of CNC.
In line with the Twin Cities Maker spirit, we strive to cultivate an environment that is not only educational but also supportive and inclusive. Our core values emphasize Excellence, Respect, and Consideration for one another, ensuring a welcoming atmosphere for all participants.
Stay updated and join the conversation on our dedicated #dept-cnc Slack channel, where you'll find announcements and lively discussions. For highlights and upcoming events, don't miss out on Lonnie Bryan's posts in the same channel.
While registration is not mandatory, it is appreciated as it helps us anticipate attendance and tailor our sessions to meet the interests of the group. Join us at CNC Club, where your passion for CNC meets community and creativity!
Come hang out at Twin Cities Maker Community Night, where creativity and craftsmanship take center stage! This time, we're featuring the incredibly talented Mary Zuhn, who will be showcasing her custom equestrian shirts—beautifully tailored, one-of-a-kind garments that blend high-end fashion with functional design.
Mary will share her design process, walk us through the materials and techniques she uses, and show off some of her stunning creations. If you're into sewing, fashion, or just love seeing meticulous craftsmanship up close, you won’t want to miss this!
As always, dinner is on us, and the event is completely free. Come meet other makers, spark new ideas, and leave feeling inspired to start (or finish!) your next project.
Open to all—bring your curiosity and your community spirit!