[Noisebridge-discuss] laser cutter.... CNC plasma cutter for the boxshop

[Michael Shiloh]

This is another reason I have been pushing The Crucible to get one. I 
think they would be the ideal "Greater San Francisco" location for such 
a tool. Access to machines at The Crucible is possible via the "CREATE" 
program, with some of the same disadvantages and advantages as TechShop, 
and some different disadvantages and advantages. They are in a better 
position to deal with ventilation issue. And, I think new classes built 
on such a tool would quickly repay the investment.

However, they have no budget for an item right now.

But if any of you are on the board, or know board members, or are 
otherwise empowered, drop a good word for my plan :-)

What other such communities can you think of? I'd love to have one at 
The Shipyard (where I am currently) but I think maintaining such a 
delicate machine will be too expensive here (or at the Boxshop for that 
matter) unless usage was restricted in some way. All Power Labs (at The 
Shipyard) has a CNC plasma torch, but it is theirs and only for use by 
APL. Perhaps that is a model.

Just thinking out loud.

What if Noisebridge rented a container at The Shipyard or Boxshop and 
installed the laser cutter there, for use by NB members? Would that be a 
reasonable temporary solution to the ventilation issue until the HVAC 
were installed at NB?

Michael

Michael Prados wrote:
> Likewise for me.  Techshop is a fair distance down frequently
> gridlocked 101, and when I do project work there, I often spend as
> much time in my car as in front of a machine.  Nowhere else that I
> know of offers community access to a laser cutter.  A laser cutter is
> one of the few powerful mechanical tools that can be integrated
> effectively into an office-y space like 2169, and gels well with
> electronics and robotics hacking.
> 
> On the other hand, for heavier equipment, I think it does make sense
> to lean on these other communities, especially since there are things
> available nearby.
> 
> -mike
> 
> On Mon, Sep 28, 2009 at 9:27 PM, Michael Shiloh
> <michaelshiloh1010 at gmail.com> wrote:
>> IIRC, BoxShop (Boxshop?) was getting a CNC plasma cutter, not a laser.
>>
>> I don't know of any laser cutter in SF available to people like me.
>>
>> If I could have one tool for my Kinetic and Electronics department at
>> The Crucible, I'd ask for a laser cutter.
>>
>> just saying.
>>
>> Mark Cohen wrote:
>>> Neither the BoxShop or TechShop are easily accessible for me as well
>>> as others I am sure. Also, to use TechShop's equipment, you have to
>>> pay substantial dues. (I don't know what BoxShop charges)
>>>
>>> I'd like to see NB get some really nice fab machinery, it would only
>>> improve the work that comes out of NB.
>>>
>>> Just my .02.
>>>
>>> /Mark/
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Sep 28, 2009, at 9:06 PM, Ceren Ercen wrote:
>>>
>>>> With the richness of resources around the SF Bay Area, BoxShop,
>>>> TechShop, etc, I personally just don't feel any urge to have a
>>>> lasercutter at Noisebridge. These are amazing tools, but having our
>>>> /own/ seems a little redundant.
>>>>
>>>> But I must be missing something, or there wouldn't be so much
>>>> excitement
>>>> about the idea.... is there a substantial benefit to not going to use
>>>> these other places' machinery, and buying/running/maintaining our own
>>>> instead?
>>>>
>>>> Can we quantify what the factors are that make some items more
>>>> attractive to host our own copy of, and which tools we can try to
>>>> establish "links" to through the local community?
>>>>
>>>> - ceren
>>>>
>>>> Lee Sonko wrote:
>>>>> In news related to laser cutters... it looks like the BoxShop, a
>>>>> great
>>>>> industrial arts space in Hunters Point (http://boxshopsf.org/) will
>>>>> be
>>>>> getting a CNC plasma cutter soon! Read on...
>>>>>
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> 
> 
>