Moonraker 101
Knox Makers - Classroom 116 Childress St SW, Knoxville, TN, United StatesThis is an introduction class to our laser cutter, Moonraker. Tracy will lead attendees of this class as they learn the basics of laser cutting, make a simple design, and then engrave and cut out the design using the laser cutter in our space. This class is intended for members who have not yet been authorized to use Moonraker or need/want a review of its operation.Laptops will be provided for this class.
Help installing the software on your own laptop can be provided outside of class.In class we will be using Inkscape and the laser cutting extension bundle we’ve put together for it. There is a minimum of two participant and maximum of six participants.
You can find Inkscape at: https://inkscape.org/
You can find the KM-Laser bundle at: https://github.com/KnoxMakers/KM-Laser
Crossbow 101
Knox Makers - Classroom 116 Childress St SW, Knoxville, TN, United StatesThis is an introduction class to our Fiber laser cutter, Crossbow. Jondale will lead attendees of this class as they learn the basics of fiber lasers, make a simple design, and then engrave it using Crossbow. This class is intended for members who have not yet been authorized to use Crossbow or need/want a review…
Virtual Board Meeting
Knox Makers - VirtualKnox Makers members are welcome to join us as we hold our monthly board meeting. The board will be discussing pertinent topics happening around the space. All current, paying Knox Makers members are welcome to attend. This event is closed to the general public. Directions: This is a virtual event. Check Mattermost for further details…
Open Hack Night – Public Welcome
Knox Makers 116 Childress St SW, Knoxville, TN, United StatesOpen hack nights are a chance for people to come out to Knox Makers and hack on anything at any skill level. You can come out to practice a new programming language, get help working on your personal projects, or try your hand at using the 3d printer. You might just come out to see what other folks are working on and lend a hand. If you know anyone who has been curious to come out to Knox Makers, please invite them along!
Like all other Tuesday nights, this event is free and open to the public. Our night will begin with a Show and Share where attendees are encouraged to bring out the projects they have been working on. This is a great time to request feedback for the future direction of your project, or you can just bring out something you want to show off. We hope to see you there!
Milling 101 – Bridgeport Mill Tool Authorization
Knox Makers - Machining 116 Childress St SW, Knoxville, TN, United States** Intro to Machining is a prerequisite class. You have to complete the Intro to Machining class before you can take the Milling 101 Class. **
This is a hands on class and is subject to run over the allotted 4 hours. Please make sure your schedule is free accordingly.
In this class you will receive basic hands on experience in operating a Bridgeport Series I J-Head milling machine. During this 3 to 4 hour class, Billy will go over the basics of tramming the head of the mill, tramming the vise, edge finding, work holding and setup, drilling , side milling, and top/end milling operations. You will also learn the basics of the DRO (digital read out), the table power feed, and basic care of the mill. This is a tool authorization class and once completed you will be authorized to use the milling machine and Knox Maker members will receive a key need to operate the mill. Intro to Machining is a prerequisite class.
There will be a fee of $24.96 for members.. There will be a maximum of 4 spots of this class, and a minimum of 1 tickets must be sold. If the class minimum is not met 48 hours prior to class start time, the class we be canceled and all tickets will be refunded.
Open Hack Night – Public Welcome
Knox Makers 116 Childress St SW, Knoxville, TN, United StatesOpen hack nights are a chance for people to come out to Knox Makers and hack on anything at any skill level. You can come out to practice a new programming language, get help working on your personal projects, or try your hand at using the 3d printer. You might just come out to see what other folks are working on and lend a hand. If you know anyone who has been curious to come out to Knox Makers, please invite them along!
Like all other Tuesday nights, this event is free and open to the public. Our night will begin with a Show and Share where attendees are encouraged to bring out the projects they have been working on. This is a great time to request feedback for the future direction of your project, or you can just bring out something you want to show off. We hope to see you there!
Toy Tech Adaptation Night
Knox Makers - Classroom 116 Childress St SW, Knoxville, TN, United StatesSpark and Knox Makers will be adapting toys for Toy Tech 2023. Toys that are not necessarily functional for children with disabilities will be switch-adapted for use by children of all ability levels. Participants in this workshop can bring their own toy(s) to adapt or adapt toys donated to Spark. Supplies and tools will be provided, but feel free to bring your own! No experience required!
Please RSVP if you plan to attend this event. We would appreciate it very much.
Woodworking 103 – bandsaw authorization
Knox Makers - Woodworking 116 Childress St SW, Knoxville, TN, United StatesLearn how to use the three bandsaws in the woodworking zone safely and effectively. Operation will include: how to avoid damaging the bandsaw blade, when it requires replacement and how to do that; how to adjust the blade guard and guides. Which materials can be cut and the appropriate type/size blade to use and those which must never be cut on these bandsaws. There will be discussions and demonstrations regarding how to re-saw thick wood into thinner boards and how to safely cut round and odd-shaped pieces of wood. Participants will have the opportunity for hands-on experience bandsawing a piece of wood. Dust masks are recommended.
The cost is $24.96 for Knox Makers members, $39.96 for General Public. There will be a maximum of 6 spots of this class, and a minimum of 2 tickets must be sold. If the class minimum is not met 48 hours prior to class start time, the class we be canceled and all tickets will be refunded.
Woodworking 103 – bandsaw authorization
Knox Makers - Woodworking 116 Childress St SW, Knoxville, TN, United StatesLearn how to use the three bandsaws in the woodworking zone safely and effectively. Operation will include: how to avoid damaging the bandsaw blade, when it requires replacement and how to do that; how to adjust the blade guard and guides. Which materials can be cut and the appropriate type/size blade to use and those which must never be cut on these bandsaws. There will be discussions and demonstrations regarding how to re-saw thick wood into thinner boards and how to safely cut round and odd-shaped pieces of wood. Participants will have the opportunity for hands-on experience bandsawing a piece of wood. Dust masks are recommended.
The cost is $24.96 for Knox Makers members, $39.96 for General Public. There will be a maximum of 6 spots of this class, and a minimum of 2 tickets must be sold. If the class minimum is not met 48 hours prior to class start time, the class we be canceled and all tickets will be refunded.
Fabric Arts – Box making , Hinged Lid Box
Knox Makers - Fiber Arts 116 Childress St SW, Knoxville, TN, United StatesIn this class, we will learn how to make a fabric covered 4x4 small hinged lid box. A pre-cut cardboard foundation will be provided. You can choose two complementary fabrics from the selection available in Fiber Arts or supply your own fabrics. You will need to bring two Fat quarters or two ¼ yard cuts of a woven, no knits (stretchy) fabrics. One fabric will be used for the outside of the box, the other for the inside.
Assembly uses both hot glue and needle and thread. Before final assembly you can embelish the box with ribbon or other scrap-booking type of accents so if you have something specific in mind you will need to bring it with you. Hand sewing is part of the final assembly so if needed please bring your own vision aids. i.e. lighted magnfier or glasses.
At the end of the class you will have a completed box for a keepsake or Christmas gift.
The cost is $14.96 for Knox Makers members, $24.96 for General Public. There will be a maximum of 6 spots for this class, and a minimum of 2 tickets must be sold. If the class minimum is not met 48 hours prior to class start time, the class will be canceled and all tickets will be refunded.
Directions- Knox Makers parking and entrance is located around the back of the SPARK building in the fenced in area.
Knox Makers is a place for the Knoxville area’s engineers, artists, hobbyists, innovators, educators and entrepreneurs to work and play. We are a technology and art collective dedicated to the promotion of creativity enabled and informed by science. Our lectures, workshops, and outreach programs inspire and educate both members and the general public. Our workshop provides members with both the space for large projects and the tools to complete them. We are a non-profit educational organization supported by member dues and staffed by volunteers.
Foundry 101 – Intro to Metal Casting
Knox Makers - Blacksmithing 116 Childress St SW, Knoxville, TN, United StatesFoundry 101: Introduction to Foundry: This course will serve as the most basic introduction to casting metals in the Knox Makers foundry. After a brief safety lecture and introduction, the course will focus on how to safely operate the foundry tools and equipment. We will learn by doing. All skill levels are welcomed to this…
Woodworking 101
Knox Makers - Woodworking 116 Childress St SW, Knoxville, TN, United StatesThis class will cover topics related to safe and correct operation of equipment within the woodworking area, as well as some shop etiquette guidelines. This is the authorization class for the area and is required prior to using the equipment. Safe practices will be demonstrated and learned by a hands on approach in the context of taking rough lumber through the process of milling and operation of all equipment in the space. If you have previously paid and attended a wood authorization class then we encourage you to audit the class free of charge at any time.
The cost is $24.96 for Knox Makers members, $39.96 for General Public. There will be a maximum of 10 spots of this class, and a minimum of 3 tickets must be sold. If the class minimum is not met 48 hours prior to class start time, the class we be canceled and all tickets will be refunded.
Open Hack Night – Public Welcome
Knox Makers 116 Childress St SW, Knoxville, TN, United StatesOpen hack nights are a chance for people to come out to Knox Makers and hack on anything at any skill level. You can come out to practice a new programming language, get help working on your personal projects, or try your hand at using the 3d printer. You might just come out to see what other folks are working on and lend a hand. If you know anyone who has been curious to come out to Knox Makers, please invite them along!
Like all other Tuesday nights, this event is free and open to the public. Our night will begin with a Show and Share where attendees are encouraged to bring out the projects they have been working on. This is a great time to request feedback for the future direction of your project, or you can just bring out something you want to show off. We hope to see you there!
Community Craft: Slate Coasters
Knox Makers - Classroom 116 Childress St SW, Knoxville, TN, United StatesJoin us after our regularly scheduled Show and Share for a guided project to create laser engraved slate coasters. We'll help each other design our coasters using Inkscape and then engrave them on our fiber laser. Example images will be provided or make/find your own. Classroom laptops will be available or bring your own. Blank…
Woodworking 103 – bandsaw authorization
Knox Makers - Woodworking 116 Childress St SW, Knoxville, TN, United StatesLearn how to use the three bandsaws in the woodworking zone safely and effectively. Operation will include: how to avoid damaging the bandsaw blade, when it requires replacement and how to do that; how to adjust the blade guard and guides. Which materials can be cut and the appropriate type/size blade to use and those which must never be cut on these bandsaws. There will be discussions and demonstrations regarding how to re-saw thick wood into thinner boards and how to safely cut round and odd-shaped pieces of wood. Participants will have the opportunity for hands-on experience bandsawing a piece of wood. Dust masks are recommended.
The cost is $24.96 for Knox Makers members, $39.96 for General Public. There will be a maximum of 6 spots of this class, and a minimum of 2 tickets must be sold. If the class minimum is not met 48 hours prior to class start time, the class we be canceled and all tickets will be refunded.
New Members Onboarding
Knox Makers - Classroom 116 Childress St SW, Knoxville, TN, United StatesWhether you’re a current member, trial member, or prospective member, you’re welcome to join us at this month’s New Member Onboarding!
We’ll start with a brief overview of Knox Makers’ origins and purpose and talk about how the organization works. You’ll learn a bit about the resources available to members and about the path to membership. Afterwards, we’ll hang out and socialize.
The focus is on new members, but longer-term members are encouraged to come and meet new folks.
Woodworking 103 – bandsaw authorization
Knox Makers - Woodworking 116 Childress St SW, Knoxville, TN, United StatesLearn how to use the three bandsaws in the woodworking zone safely and effectively. Operation will include: how to avoid damaging the bandsaw blade, when it requires replacement and how to do that; how to adjust the blade guard and guides. Which materials can be cut and the appropriate type/size blade to use and those which must never be cut on these bandsaws. There will be discussions and demonstrations regarding how to re-saw thick wood into thinner boards and how to safely cut round and odd-shaped pieces of wood. Participants will have the opportunity for hands-on experience bandsawing a piece of wood. Dust masks are recommended.
The cost is $24.96 for Knox Makers members, $39.96 for General Public. There will be a maximum of 6 spots of this class, and a minimum of 2 tickets must be sold. If the class minimum is not met 48 hours prior to class start time, the class we be canceled and all tickets will be refunded.
Intro to Metalworking (MIG 101)
Knox Makers - Metalworking 116 Childress St SW, Knoxville, TN, United StatesThis is the Basic authorization class for using the Metalworking Shop and the MIG Welder. We will cover lots of safety and learn the metal shop tools. Expect an hour or so of hands-on setup and shared MIG welding time (more if needed.)The class may run a bit short or long depending on students' needs.
Proper attire is natural fiber clothing such as cotton jeans and T-shirts. Cotton/polyester blend is OK but synthetic clothing or other materials that can melt are unsafe. Students can bring their own PPE (Personal Protective Equipment,) shield and gloves if they have them. but these are NOT required as we have setups for everyone to use.
Please do NOT bring your own welding machines to use, the setup and testing time could impact other students.
Virtual Board Meeting
Knox Makers - VirtualKnox Makers members are welcome to join us as we hold our monthly board meeting. The board will be discussing pertinent topics happening around the space. All current, paying Knox Makers members are welcome to attend. This event is closed to the general public. Directions: This is a virtual event. Check Mattermost for further details…
Make a Cutting Board for Christmas
Knox Makers - Woodworking 116 Childress St SW, Knoxville, TN, United StatesThis class will cover topics related to safe and correct operation of equipment within the woodworking area, as well as some shop etiquette guidelines. This is the authorization class for the area and is required prior to using the equipment. Safe practices will be demonstrated and learned by a hands on approach in the context of taking rough lumber through the process of milling and operation of all equipment in the space. If you have previously paid and attended a wood authorization class then we encourage you to audit the class free of charge at any time.
The cost is $24.96 for Knox Makers members, $39.96 for General Public. There will be a maximum of 10 spots of this class, and a minimum of 3 tickets must be sold. If the class minimum is not met 48 hours prior to class start time, the class we be canceled and all tickets will be refunded.