south London makerspace

[gordonendersby]

I thought this might appeal to people on a welding forum.
Maker/hacker groups often have engineering kit for the use of members and to help people who drop by.
And build up respectable workshops with kit and experts to make use of.
I'm joinning and offering some help.

http://southlondonmakerspace.org

These guys are setting up a pop up makerspace in south London until a permanent space can be found.
They've been given the use of a high street shop for a couple of months to help get them going and drum up more members to raise the neccesary readies to fund moving on.
They are looking for a suitable home in south London.

Also looking for donations of kit, furniture or tools.
They have a 3d printer offered and a number of other machine tools such a drill presses and hand tools.

Gordon

 

[Pete.]

I like the idea but looking at the photos on the website of Make Day #5 all I see are a bunch of bored-looking blank-starers. None look like they are that interested in 'making' anything or even giving the person holding the meeting their full attention.

 

[the snooper]

I like the idea but looking at the photos on the website of Make Day #5 all I see are a bunch of bored-looking blank-starers. None look like they are that interested in 'making' anything or even giving the person holding the meeting their full attention.

give it a chance Rome wasn't built in a day and they cant make anything if the machines havn't arrived there yet

 

[Pete.]

True but now look at the digital mock-up someone has knocked up of how the place might look. I see a coffee table, some trestle benches and a couple of drafting tables. Where are the machines? If it's going to get off the ground it's gong to need someone with a lot more common sense and technical acumen to head it up I think. So far it looks like a focus-group discussion area.

 

[MattF]

I have to agree with Pete. Granted, things need time, but everything they show & say suggests they haven't got a clue. I'm guessing they're college types in charge who've never actually seen a real workshop? As Pete says, that's a discussion area. Whoever came up with that idea should have got at least some basic kit sorted and up and running before they opened the place. Looks ne'er use nor ornament as is. There's not a tool in sight, (which I can see), in the photo's.

Not meaning to sound judgemental or critical, but honestly, if that was round here, I'd walk in and straight back out if I went to check the place out.

 

[gordonendersby]

Those meetings are where they are setting up the group.
Hard to carry any kit into a college room at elephant and castle.
Just a few laptops and some electronics.
This is going to be a short term pop up site.
They cant set up anything permanent nor will they have the infrastructure or power supply.
Don't forget this is all voluntary and donations of cash and kit.

Maker/hackerspaces cover anything the membership want to do from kniitting, Woodwork, synthetic biology, electronics, engineering.
So the space has to have clean areas, dirty areas, chatting, eating and even some have somewhere to sleep as they tend to be available 24 hours.

Have a look at this group for what they are planning.
https://london.hackspace.org.uk
They started out in the same way.
This is there second site, they started out in a back room of a pub.
They've now got an industrial unit. With some great stuff.
https://wiki.london.hackspace.org.uk/view/London_Hackspace

Hackerspaces are getting set up all over the country by volunteers.
People who need somewhere to work and work with other people.
They also help out in the community and schools.
They are only as good as there membership.

Gordon

 

[711jrp]

Anyone working on Bacon Jam needs all the support they can get......

 

[gordonendersby]

Things are moving.
They have enough members donating money to open the popup space in forest hill.
The landlord is giving them the go ahead and things will be happening from Saturday.
Still looking for a permanent home in south london but now have enough paying members and donations to afford a commercial unit.

They are asking if anyone knows of any suitable units in south london.

Gordon

 

[Spot the welders dog]

Great news - I may pop in if I get a mo for a nosey around: Gordon, shouldn't that read Herne Hill?

 

[gordonendersby]

Your right Herne hill, dont know where i got forest hill.
Its the old good companions cafe on norwood road.

https://maps.google.com/maps?ll=51....d&q=27+Norwood+Rd+Herne+Hill,+London+SE24+9AA

Gordon