Do you want to use the shop’s CNC router, vinyl cutter or laser engraver? Or maybe you can’t afford Adobe Illustrator at $240/year to create vector images? Join us for this Inkscape Basics class which will help you get started into the world of creating vector files for logos and online graphics.
Inkscape is a free, open source tool that runs on almost any computer (even an old Chromebook via an extension). It creates vector images that are infinitely scaleable. And, most relevant to us, is what we use at the shop for creating files for some of our tools.
Who is this class for?
This is a beginner class. You do not need to have previous experience with Inkscape or other graphic tools.
While we will be talking about file creation for the purposes of using the CNC router, laser and vinyl cutter, everything learned in the class is generally applicable for creating vector images. Besides our tools, vector images are used for creating logos, graphics and illustrations.
The class is open to anyone 13 years old and up. Attendees under 19 years old must have a parent or guardian present.
What to bring?
A computer.
If possible, install Inkscape previous to the class.
If you have trouble installing Inkscape before class, come to the Open Shop time on Friday with your computer and we will help get you set up.
Cost: $25
Class is free for members, but please let us know through email or text if you are coming. Class is limited to 8 attendees.
Join us on August 8th for a garage sale! We will be selling off some duplicate tools. Members are invited to set up a table and sell some of their own crafts and unused tools.
We will be open by 8 in the morning and plan to stay until at least 1:00 in the afternoon.
Shop Fundraiser
This garage sale is being used as a shop fundraiser. If you have any tools you would like to donate, contact us and we will work out a way to get the tools to us for the event.
Members are welcome to sell their own items. This can be crafts, tools or just about anything. There is no fee to set up a table, though you should plan to bring your own table that day.
What to Expect
We already have some tools that have been donated for sale. We will be selling some extra tools that we are not currently using.
Some specialty hardwoods will be sold by the piece or by linear foot. This is a great opportunity to pick up blanks for wood turning.
We expect some members to be selling their own handcrafts.
Spreading the Word
Please help us spread the word about the sale. You can give people the shop address (5065 West Andrew Johnson Hwy) but it is best to tell them to look up Morristown Makers by name on their map program. For some reason the maps have our address tied to the wrong building.
If you need more information for advertising purposes, please contact us and we will supply all the info that we can.
In this class you will learn how to control the CNC router, how to create files for it and how to send those files to the machine. This is a basic class, but it is recommended that the student read about how CNC machines work, or watch a few videos. Resources will be listed below.
CNC projects created on the Morristown Makers CNC router.
Class will be held August 1 at 10am. We request that everyone wear a mask for classes and public shop activities during this time.
We will create some basic shapes with Inkscape. You do not have to be an advanced user. It would be helpful for you to create a free account with Easel before class. Universal Gcode Sender will already be installed on the shop machine that is used to control the CNC router.
Like using a laser or 3D printer, the CNC router will require a good amount of practice, patience and learning to get right. It is recommended that you plan to practice on small jobs before tackling an important project.
Cost: $25
If you are a member coming to the class, please send us a text or email to let us know.
Saturday, July 11, come learn how to use the metal bending tool by making this simple shelf with metal brackets. You will make a wooden shelf about 30″ long (customizable for your needs).
During the class you will learn to use the tools safely while building this beautiful shelf unit. If you know where you will put the shelf, you can choose your self length and finish it with paint or stain while at the class.
Flat metal stock.
Drilled and bent metal stock.
Completed shelf.
Completed weathered barnwood shelf.
Tools You Will Use
Metal cutting chop saw
Metal bender
Grinder
Drill press
Jointer
Planer
Sander
Skills You Will Learn
Preparing, drilling and bending metal stock
Using the jointer to square up two sides of a board
Using a planer and drum sander to square up other two sides
This is not necessarily an advanced class (difficulty wise), but many of the tools should be considered advanced tools. Suggested age is 15 years old and up. Those under 19 must have a parent or guardian present during the class.
Cost: $35
Members can send an email to let us know if you are planning to attend.
Have you ever been curious as to how stained glass art is made? Here’s your chance to learn and give it a try.
Window from the Top O’ The World Chapel in Tennessee
This class will cover some basic history of stained glass, followed by demonstrations and experimentation with cutting glass, foiling, and soldering a very simple design. We will discuss both leaded and Tiffany styles, and the various things you can do with both styles.
What You Will Learn
Different stained glass methods
How to cut and shape glass
How glass is made
Where to get supplies
Finding designs
Making your own designs
What to Bring
If you have safety glasses or goggles, you can bring them. We have a limited supply at the shop if you don’t have your own.
Event Information
This class will be held from 10a to 12 (noon) on Saturday, February 29, 2020.
The class is limited to 10 participants. Ages 13 and up are welcome to attend. Students under 19 years of age must have a parent or guardian with them at class.
We had a great first anniversary celebration on Friday, February 7th. There were 27 people who showed up at the space to help us mark the event. During our time at the shop we made a few announcements that we highlight here.
Nonprofit Status
Morristown Makers is now an official nonprofit organization. This means that we are now able to receive donations of equipment and money with a tax benefit to the donor. If you or your company would like to help support the mission of Morristown Makers via a monetary contribution, we would be glad to talk with you about how to make that possible.
PayPal
Our PayPal account has been upgraded to a business account which has two primary benefits: credit cards and recurring payments.
First, we can now take membership payments via credit card. If you don’t have (and don’t want) a PayPal account, then you can pay your membership fee or make a donation directly with a card of your choice.
The second benefit is that membership payments are recurring monthly payments. This is the default option. You can stop the monthly payment by logging in to your PayPal account and taking care of it there. If you want to pay for one month at a time we can work with you on how to do that.
Founding Members
Anyone who has been a member in the previous year or who signs up to be a member between now and the end of February (2020) will be considered a “Founding Member.” This is a way for Morristown Makers to say thank you for helping us get the makerspace off the ground.
The current, tangible benefit to you is that we will give you a shirt that says “Founding Member” on the back. You also get a warm-fuzzy feeling (though that is slightly less tangible).
We would like to do other things in the future to benefit our founding members, but we don’t know what all that means yet. We look to you, the community, to help guide us where we go with this idea.
Friday Open Shops
The final announcement was about our open shop times. Previously we have had a set, monthly open shop time of the fourth Tuesday. The new announcement is that we will now be open every Friday from 7-9 PM. We will need members to help us make this successful. Obviously not everyone will have every Friday open to where they can be at the shop; but, when possible, your presence would be a great benefit to growing the community.
This is a time where the shop is open, free of charge, to the public to come and work on their projects. Maybe you are struggling with how to complete one of your own projects and just need to talk with someone about a few ideas. It is also a chance for people to be introduced to the idea of a makerspace and Morristown Makers.
Thank You
Thank you for helping us through this first year! We have had many wonderful classes, built some fun crafts and learned how to use new tools. We look forward to many more years together growing the maker community in the Morristown area.
We also thank our friends at Knox Makers who have given us good counsel through this process. We were pleased to see a delegation of their members at our anniversary event.
Come on in some Friday evening and see what we are up to. And, if you didn’t make it to the party, you certainly must stop by and see our new sign over the door.
You are invited to join Morristown Makers on Friday, February 7, as we celebrate our first year of collaborative creativity.
This event is open to the public; those who have visited Morristown Makers, to members, and to those who are checking out the space for the first time. Invite a friend and help us fill up the shop!
The shop will be open from 7 to 9 for you to meet other makers and spend time talking about your creative projects. We will have snacks and soft drinks.
Saturday, December 21, we will host an informal Christmas party and craft event. Join us for hot chocolate and Christmas treats while working on a craft.
Some of the crafts we have materials prepared for.
If you are needing help with using one of our tools, we will have people on hand to assist you. Don’t be afraid to tackle a project that may be a little more ambitious because of lack of confidence with a tool. We will be glad to help with the following tools (as well as others we have that you may need):
Table Saw
Band Saw
Router
Lathe
Laser Cutter
3D Printer
Drill or Drill Press
And many other tools
Keep in mind that we only have a couple of hours. So don’t try to get too ambitious. 🙂
This event will cost $10 and covers all the materials in the projects we have planned.
Planned Projects
Wooden painted or wrapped packages
Votive candle holders
Wooden snowmen
Christmas card tree
Quilted wooden star (you have to come just to see what that is about)
We look forward to seeing you Saturday!
Cost: $10
We’ve dropped the fee for this event. Come make a craft or just hang out and eat too much sugar along with us.
Do you want to learn how to use a table and miter saw while building a great project? This class is what you are looking for!
The class will be held Saturday morning December 14 from 10a to noon. During the class you will build a honeybee inspired hexagon shelf.
Who Should Attend
The class is targeted towards the beginning power tools user who wants more than just a nice shelf at the end of the class. But rather, is looking to actually learn how to use woodworking equipment properly and safely.
Young people ages 13 and up are welcome to attend. Anyone under the age of 19 must have a parent or guardian with them.
Skills You Will Learn
Using a table saw to cut down lumber into properly sized strips
Using a miter saw to cut boards to length
Using different types of sanders to achieve finished results
Use of a nail or screw gun
What to Bring
You won’t need to bring anything to the class other than yourself and your desire to learn some new skills. All materials will be provided at class.
Here is some follow-up information for those who took the laser class and would like to use the laser. Some of these items were mentioned in the class, others will be new information.
Software
There were two pieces of software mentioned in class. The first was the graphics software used to create the image file the laser needs: Inkscape. The second is the laser control software: K40 Whisperer.
Inkscape
Inkscape
In class we showed Inkscape as the software that was used to create the images. For the laser, the images need to be saved in SVG format (Inkscape’s native format), or DXF.
There are other graphics programs that can create the needed SVG files (scalable vector graphics). CorelDraw, Adobe Illustrator, Affinity Designer—as well as many others—are alternative tools you can use if you already have one of them installed. Inkscape is free and, while not always the easiest to use, it is not much harder than many other full-featured vector graphics program.
There are many tutorials online for using Inkscape, but I would start by watching the videos made by the creator of K40 Whisperer because he teaches what is needed to make the graphics for the laser.
K40 Whisperer
This is the laser control software. It works well with our laser and we will soon have a computer in place at the shop that will control the laser and you won’t have to configure the software on your own machine. But, until we have that computer set up, you can work through the setup steps on the K40 Whisperer website to get started on your own machine if you would like. When I was setting up the software and laser at the shop, I believe everything was left at default settings that the software and website recommended.
Don’t miss his tutorial videos towards the bottom of the software page. They are short and very informative.
Laser Setup
Turning Everything On
[This section will be updated as the physical location and setup of the machine changes in the coming weeks]. The laser should be plugged into a power strip. When turning the strip on, everything that needs to run for the laser to work, should come on. But, here are the things to check if something doesn’t seem right.
The Main Machine: If the on/off switch on the laser control panel doesn’t light up, then switch it to the on position.
Water Pump: There is a pump submerged in a bucket of water under the laser. Two hoses are in the bucket. One comes out of the pump and sends water to the laser. The other comes from the laser and is not connected to anything in the bucket. It is the return water from the laser unit. It would be wise to check and make sure water is pumping when you get started.
Air Assist: We did not have this in place during class, but we are working on an air assist nozzle. It pumps air right at the base of where the laser is cutting. It, along with the fan for smoke exhaust, are needed to help get the cleanest possible cuts with as little flame as possible. This is the stand-alone pump that makes so much noise.
Smoke Exhaust: Smoke from the laser is pulled from the unit to a filtered box by a fan. This should be running when you use the laser. It will keep the smoke fumes down in the room as well as give you a much better cut.
Settings
These are the items that you can adjust as you are using the laser. If you are not getting the cut you expect, go through this list and make sure everything is adjusted properly.
Focus
Use the “Laser Focus Block” to help set the height of the bed to the laser output lens. If the block cannot be found, the proper distance is 1-15/16″ to 2″ from the bottom of the laser lens to the work piece.
Raise and lower the bed using the knob on the front of the machine. Be aware that the table currently does not rise perfectly level. You may have to focus one end of the table to the laser and then check the other end. Adjust the table as necessary.
Laser Strength
The laser strength is set by the knob labeled “current regulation” on the main control panel to the right of the laser. You will need to make some test cuts and engravings to find what works best for your project and material.
Though I haven’t confirmed the exact number, the laser should not be set to greater than 15 mA on the “current indication” meter if it is running continuously. If it is pulsing a bit above 15 mA, that should be fine.
Be aware that the laser will wear out faster and need replacing the more it is run closer to 100% power (which is approximately 15 mA on the meter). Cut and engrave at the power needed, but try not to overdo it. Realize that for some materials you will have to run the cutting pass multiple times to get a cut all the way through.
Speed
K40 Whisperer Speed Settings
This is a setting inside the K40 Whisperer software. At the bottom left you will see a speed in mm/sec (or inch/sec if you choose inches as your default units when setting up the software). Since the laser will have a static strength (based on the power knob setting), the depth/strength of cut is determined by how quickly the laser moves over the material being cut.
Graphics Colors and Meaning
When you create your artwork for cutting/engraving, be aware of the following colors. The colors in the art help the laser control software know how to handle each part of an image.
Red: Vector Cut
Anything you want cut all the way through should be outlined in red. You can change the speed based on the thickness of material, but it should be somewhere near the default speed of 10 mm/s.
Blue: Vector Engrave
Anything that is blue in your image will get outlined with a vector engrave. This is a burn on the surface, but not a cut (unless your power is too high or your speed is too slow). Note that this will only draw the outline of each item in blue. It will not color in the entire blue object. That is what the raster engrave (next) does.
Black: Raster Engrave
Raster engrave is where the laser burns the surface of the material being engraved. This is done in a series of lines moving left and right, then top to bottom. Anything that is black in the art will be filled in using a fast movement of the laser for the purpose of scorching the surface of the material without cutting through.
Suggestions
I recommend you watch the tutorial videos at the bottom of the K40 Whisperer website. Working through those while sitting at the laser will really teach you most of what you need to know to operate the laser confidently.
Doing these two things will help you learn how to operate the laser when you want to step out of the realm of having someone hold your hand through a project.
