FAQs
Membership
How much does it cost?
Membership costs $50 per month. A second member can be added for an extra $25 per month; that could be a significant other, offspring, or friend. Students and seniors are eligible for membership at the reduced rate of $20 per month. All collected dues are directed towards the operation and expansion of the workshop; none of us is paid any money for doing this. It’s a labor of love.
What are the benefits of membership?
Members receive a key to our facility, affording them 24/7 access to the space and all the tools. Members gain access to our private chat server, where we share ideas, scheme, and socialize. In addition, members receive discounts on classes and access to occasional members-only events.
What are the steps to membership?
To become a member you need to do the following:
- Read our Membership Rules
- Read our Bylaws
- Fill out the Intent to Join form.
- Sign a waiver (get one from a board member next time you visit us)
- Pay your first month’s dues (online or in person next time you visit)
When the first month’s dues are paid, a 30-day probationary period begins, during which you are encouraged to spend time in the shop and get to know other members. Probationary members cannot have unattended access to the shop, but are welcome whenever other members are present.
Can anyone become a member?
Members must be 16 years of age or older, and members under the age of 18 must have special permission from a parent or guardian. Adult members are allowed to bring their children into the space, but all children must be supervised at all times. We are not a child-proof facility.
There are no educational or knowledge-based requirements for becoming a member of Knox Makers.
Can I donate tools or other items for exchange of membership payment?
No, even though we welcome donations, we do not accept them in lieu of membership.
Can my pet become a member?
No. Animals are not allowed in the space at all.
The Space
When are you open?
Every Tuesday evening, Knox Makers is open to the public from 6pm-10pm. We host Show and Share at about 6:30PM, during which we encourage members and visitors alike to bring in whatever projects they’re working on and show them off. We typically follow that with a free lecture or class at 7PM. We love seeing new faces on Tuesday nights and encourage one and all to attend!
If you are a member, Knox Makers is always open. Members have 24/7 access to the space.
What do you have?
Our workshop features dedicated zones for woodworking, metalworking, 3d printing and scanning, electronics, arts and crafts, fabric arts, leather working, and laser cutting. We have a 100-seat classroom with multimedia capabilities and offer rental bays for short- and medium-term storage of projects in progress.
What don’t you have?
We do not have a kiln, pottery wheel, or a painting booth. We may have multiplied our space since moving, but we’ve quickly filled it up!
Do members have to provide their own materials?
Each zone is a little different, but most include stockpiles of donated and scavenged materials that are available for use by members at no charge. Several of our zones also incorporate a store where you can purchase commonly-used commodities. For most projects, members need to provide at least some of their own materials.
Can non-members use the tools?
Yes and no. There are a few tools for which we require authorization classes be completed prior to use; those are for members only. For non-members to use our other tools, they need to come on a Tuesday night, sign a waiver, and have a member assist and supervise their work.
Other stuff
Do you want my old equipment?
If it’s a relatively common item but it doesn’t work, probably not. If you have something more high-end or cool that would be worth it for us to repair, talk to the person in the respective zone and see what they think. You can always contact us to discuss potential donations.
Do you offer kid’s classes?
Very few. You can bring your kids to many of our classes to learn alongside you, but our workshop is ‘sharp and electrified’ and not a suitable environment for unsupervised kids. Many libraries and schools have been getting into the maker movement and are creating small maker spaces specifically for children to use.
What if I have other questions?
You’re welcome to come to any of our Tuesday night public events and ask someone in person, or you can email us.