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= Maker Nexus, Sunnyvale, California =
(Information about the Maker Nexus organization's makerspace will be provided here. If you register with this wiki you can click the star at the top right to "watch" this page. If you do this then you will get an email whenever this page is updated.)
(Information about the Maker Nexus organization's makerspace will be provided here. If you register with this wiki you can click the star at the top right to "watch" this page. If you do this then you will get an email whenever this page is updated.)


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For those who need the quick summary:
For those who need the quick summary:
* Non-profit organization
* Non-profit organization
* Makerspace: 234 East Caribbean Drive, Sunnyvale, CA 94089  / 408.685.2500
* Makerspace: 1330 Orleans Drive, Sunnyvale, CA 94089  / 408.685.2500
* Open Wednesday - Sunday 10 AM - 10PM
* Open 10 AM - 10 PM, seven days a week
* Clean part open now; working on woodshop
* A few paid staff members for support & maintenance, but a very lean organization
* Paid staff members for support & maintenance, but a very lean organization
* Rely heavily on volunteers  
* Rely heavily on volunteers until membership reaches 200
* $150/month membership
* $150/month membership
* Everyone has to pitch in to make this work
* Everyone has to pitch in to make this work
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==Our Mission==
==Our Mission==
Maker Nexus is a non-profit with a mission to provide education in woodworking, textiles, metalworking, and other vocational skills and hobby crafts, and promote the same in the community. We will do this by providing a community makerspace that serves all experience levels from hobbyists to professionals. Our goal is to help each person improve their skills whether as STEAM/STEM teen, life enrichment, job skill acquisition, or new entrepreneur.
We believe that everyone sees opportunities to improve their world but most people lack the tools and skills to make those improvements. For some people it's a better Halloween costume; for others it's a way to provide clean water to remote villages. Maker Nexus helps everyone to gain the skills and use the tools they need to realize their dreams.
 
Maker Nexus is a non-profit with a mission to provide education in woodworking, textiles, metalworking, and other vocational skills and hobby crafts, and promote the same in the community. We do this by providing a community makerspace and training that serves all experience levels from hobbyists to professionals. Our goal is to help each person improve their skills whether as STEAM/STEM teen, life enrichment, job skill acquisition, or new entrepreneur.
 
We also work to help other non-profit makerspaces. Our classes, project sheets, governance documents, tool research, etc are all available to others under a Creative Commons license [[Makernexuswiki:Copyrights]].


Sometimes officials ask how a makerspace can help their community at large. In response, we have a list of [[Why do we need makerspaces?|businesses that have been developed in a makerspace]].
It's our hope that through Maker Nexus a plethora of good things will happen to our world.
 
Sometimes government officials ask how a makerspace can help their community at large. In response, we have a list of [[Why do we need makerspaces?|businesses that have been developed in a makerspace]].


==The Organization==
==The Organization==
Become a [http://makernexus.org/membership member], pledge your support, and track our progress on our website: [http://makernexus.com MakerNexus.com]
Become a [http://makernexus.org/membership member], pledge your support, and track our progress on our website: [http://makernexus.com MakerNexus.org]


We are a California non-profit and classified by the IRS as a 501(c)3 tax exempt organization. Read [https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/968edc_c77794d1347e4d47ab6b18c2da6b64a4.pdf our by laws]. We are currently classified incorrectly as a "private foundation" and have filed the paperwork with the IRS to reclassify Maker Nexus as a "public charity." You can view our tax returns by asking one of our general managers.
We are a California non-profit and classified by the IRS as a 501(c)3 tax exempt organization. Read [https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/968edc_c77794d1347e4d47ab6b18c2da6b64a4.pdf our by laws]. We are classified by the IRS as a public charity. You can view our tax returns by asking one of our general managers.


Read [[Maker Nexus Steering Committee|our officers']] biographies.
Read [https://www.makernexus.com/the-team our officers'] biographies.
 
Read [[Maker Nexus Steering Committee|our team history]].


[[MN Position Plans|Position Plans]] for board members, volunteers, contractors, and employees.
[[MN Position Plans|Position Plans]] for board members, volunteers, contractors, and employees.
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===Address===
===Address===


234 East Caribbean Drive
1330 Orleans  Drive
Sunnyvale, CA 94089
408.685.2500
 
===Current Status===
 
Regular hours of 10 am - 10 pm


Sunnyvale, CA 94089
We welcome everyone to stop by and tour the makerspace. See the machines, look at the media room, feel the carpet under your feet. To book a tour on our website: [http://makernexus.org MakerNexus.org]


408.685.2500
=== Equipment ===
[[Maker_Nexus_Equipment|Lists of all our equipment by area]]


===Current Status===
Need a place to hold your maker oriented meetup? Come see our facility and [[Maker_Nexus_Makerspace#Event_space_&_meet_ups| consider holding it here.]]
Regular hours of Wednesday - Sunday, 10am - 10pm.


We welcome everyone to stop by and tour the makerspace. See the machines, look at the media room, feel the carpet under your feet. Look at the future woodshop room
* [[MN Clean shop|Clean Shop Tools, Rules, Etiquette ]]


Need a place to hold your maker oriented meetup? Come see our facility and consider holding it here.
* [[MN wood shop|Woodshop Tools, Rules, Etiquette]]


We have clean shop equipment available right now:
* [[MN dirty shop |Dirty Shop Tools, Rules, Etiquette]]


*   an Epilog Helix laser cutter - 45Watt  - 18 x24in bed
* Other resources
*    a Boss laser cutter - 100Watt 24x40in bed
** large tables where you can work on your project
*    2 Prusa 3D printers
** computers with design software (Adobe suite, Fusion 360, Inkscape, GIMP) - our internet speed is 50Mbps
*    an electronics bench
** 50 person event room
*    several sewing machines (including an industrial walking foot)
** 15 person computer lab
*    a vinyl cutter
*    a heat press
*   a number of hand tools
*   large tables where you can work on your project
*   computers with design software (Adobe suite, Corel Draw end more) - our internet speed is very, very limited at this time


Members may [http://makernexus.org/member-dashboard reserve equipment].
Members may [http://makernexus.org/member-dashboard reserve equipment].


Without a woodshop, projects are limited to things you can do over a carpeted area. No sanding, no wet work, etc. Right now work is limited to something you might do in your living room (if your living room had 2 laser cutter, 3 3D printers, a walking foot and a serger!) If you have a question about a project, ask any of our staff or volunteers.
In the clean area, projects are limited to things you can do over carpet. No sanding, no wet work, etc. Other work must be done in the cement floor areas. If you have a question about a project, ask any of our staff or volunteers.


===Getting certified to use equipment===
===Getting certified to use equipment===
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If you know how to use a piece of equipment, we offer a short checkoff test with a proctor. You may arrange for a test by talking with any staff members or by posting on the appropriate Slack channel (e.g. #lasercutters, #textiles, #3dprinters)
If you know how to use a piece of equipment, we offer a short checkoff test with a proctor. You may arrange for a test by talking with any staff members or by posting on the appropriate Slack channel (e.g. #lasercutters, #textiles, #3dprinters)


If you need to learn to use a piece of equipment, no problem - we'll teach you! We offer Basic Operation and Safety Standard (BOSS) classes for all our equipment. These short seminars will take you from a no-nothing to a user of the machine in just an hour or two. BOSS classes are posted on [https://www.activityhero.com/biz/maker-nexus Activity Hero]. You can also arrange an ad hoc BOSS class by posting on the appropriate Slack channel (e.g. #lasercutters, #textiles, #3dprinters). Just post "I'd like to arrange for a BOSS class on <<put the machine name here>>"
If you need to learn to use a piece of equipment, no problem - we'll teach you! We offer Equipment Certification (EQ Training) classes for all our equipment. These short seminars will take you from a no-nothing to a user of the machine in just an hour or two. EQ Training classes are posted on [https://app.amilia.com/store/en/makernexus/shop/programs Amilia]. You can also arrange an ad hoc EQ Training class by posting on the #class-requests Slack channel. Just post "I'd like to arrange for a EQ Training class on <<put the machine name here>>"


===Next Steps===
===Next Steps===
We are working to bring the woodshop on line. We've learned a lot from opening the clean side and we expect the woodshop to go more quickly.
We are continuing to work on getting more metalworking tools online (such as our old Milwaukee mills) to complement the tools already up and running in our Metalshop.
 
We are also working on better dust collection in the woodshop, and running more HVAC ducts throughout the space.
 
=== Pets ===
 
We do not allow pets of any kind in the makerspace. The makerspace is filled with equipment that is potentially dangerous if used without full attention. The equipment can also make sudden loud and screeching sounds. Pets can be a danger to our members who are using the equipment. Pets can be a distraction to anyone using a potentially dangerous piece of equipment. The equipment itself can also be a danger to a pet. Some pets are also close to the ground where they could be subject to inadvertent exposure to chemicals, dust, etc.
 
Bottom line: no pets allowed.


===Important Information===
===Important Information===
*[[Safety Information]]


*[[Ethics and Conduct]]
*[[Ethics and Conduct]]


*[[Makerspace Equipment]]
*[[Maker Nexus Equipment]]


*[[Makerspace IT/Computers]]
*[[Makerspace IT/Computers]]
*[[Makerspace To-Do List]]


*[[MN Wish List]]
*[[MN Wish List]]


*[[MN Design Style Guidelines]]
*[[MN Design Style Guidelines]]
*[[MN Retail]] Sales of Consumables


==Maker Memberships==
==Maker Memberships==
We offer Maker Memberships that give access to the shop. (Different than a non-profit "membership" where you are really just donating to support the mission.) Maker Memberships are not tax-deductible.
We offer Maker Memberships that give access to the shop. (Different than a non-profit "membership" where you are really just donating to support the mission.) Maker Memberships are not tax-deductible. [https://www.makernexus.org/join-maker-nexus Become a member here.]
 
=== Equipment Use ===
Some equipment is available to use immediately - the electronics lab or cordless hand tools. More dangerous or complex equipment (woodshop, 3D printers, laser cutters, as a few examples) require that you complete our associated equipment certification class. There is a cost for each class; members get a discounted price. You can take certification classes before becoming a member.
 
Some equipment is shared in real time. For example, the table saw is not reservable. When using the table saw for an extended period of time, please allow other members to work in their needs.
 
Some equipment is reservable. For example, the laser cutters. On most of these pieces of equipment we allow members to reserve three sessions per week. If you do not have a reservation and the equipment is available, you may use it. However, you must be prepared to leave the equipment if a member arrives with a reservation. We may change the number of reservations allowed per week at any time.
 
Our overall objective is to equitably and fairly share our equipment and space among all our members. If you have a need for extensive, extended use of some equipment, then you might need to find a facility other than Maker Nexus to accomplish your work.
 
[[Maker_Nexus_Equipment|See a list of our equipment]]
 
=== What if I already know how to use the equipment? ===
 
For some equipment we allow a member to take a test with a volunteer proctor. For example, on the laser cutter the proctor might say, "cut a one inch square out of this material," and then step back to observe. If the member can demonstrate the ability to safely and effectively use that laser cutter without ANY further input from the proctor, then they are given permission to use the machine. Arranging a test-out like this can require some patience as we don't have a lot of proctors on each piece of equipment. These sessions are arranged through Slack.
 
Woodshop is one exception to the rule. All members have to take at least BOSS Woodshop 1. In that class we cover more than just the major tools, we also spend significant time on woodshop etiquette, the peculiarities of our set up, and our general woodshop policies.


* Age Limitations
=== Age Limitations ===
**Anyone aged 16 or older can hold a membership and use the shop.
* Anyone aged 16 or older can hold a membership and use the tools and areas of the space allowed by their membership level.
** Clean shop
* Under 16 a child must be in direct supervision of a parent. The parent must have a valid membership and the child must have a Family Add-On membership. The parent must successfully complete the BOSS class for any equipment they will use with their child.
*** Under the age of 10 may not be in the makerspace except on a tour or as part of a scheduled class.
* Minors under the age of 10 may not be in the makerspace except on a tour or as part of a scheduled class.
*** Ages 10-16 may be in the clean shop if they are in the care of a parent. They may not operate machines alone.
*** Over age 16 may use the clean shop.  
** Woodshop
*** Under the age of 12 may be in the woodshop ONLY if they are accompanied by a Maker Nexus instructor.
*** Under the age of 12 may NOT accompany a parent in the woodshop.
*** Ages 12-16 may only be in the woodshop if they are under the constant supervision of a parent.
*** Over age 16 may use the woodshop.


===Entry Level===
=====[[MN Clean shop|Clean Shop]] Age Limits=====
* $75 / month.  
* Ages 10-15 may be in the clean shop if they are in the care of a parent. They may not operate machines alone.
* Access to workspace, textiles, computers
* Ages 16 and over may use the clean shop and tools.
* No machine reservation
 
* No access to CNC machines or lasers
=====[[MN-S Wood Shop|Woodshop]] and Metal Shop Age Limits=====
* No storage
* Under the age of 12 may be in the woodshop and metal shop ONLY if they are accompanied by a Maker Nexus instructor.
* Under the age of 12 may NOT accompany a parent in the woodshop or metal shop.
* Ages 12-15 may only be in the woodshop or metal shop if they are under the constant supervision of a parent.
* Age 16 and over may use the woodshop or metal shop.
 
=== Membership Types ===


===Hobbyist===
==== Hobbyist Membership ====
* $150 / month
* $150 / month
* All of Entry Level
* Access to all machines with some time limits per week
* Access to all machines with some time limits per week
** Woodshop, metal shop, Laser Cutters, 3D Printers, Electronics, heatpress/vinyl cutters, build tables
** Textiles: sewing, CNC embroidery, Direct to Fabric Printer, Long-arm Quilter
* May rent storage as available
* May rent storage as available
* Most popular level
* This is the most popular level, 95% of our members are at the Hobbyist level
How to do it:
# Buy a membership at our [https://app.amilia.com/store/en/makernexus/shop/memberships online store]
# This will require you to create an account as part of the process
# We will send you a welcome package with a lot of details within 2 days.
 
==== Family Add-on Membership ====
* Requires one person with a Hobbyist membership
* Additional children between the ages of 10 and 21: $50 / month each
* Second adult: $50 / month (second adult should be living in the same household)
 
How to do it:
# Have the family member who will have the Family Add-On create an account at [https://app.amilia.com/en/Signup Amilia] our self service portal.
# Add a credit card payment method to the account.
# Send an email to info@makernexus.org giving us the person's name
# We will set up a family add-on membership and send them a welcome package
 
 
On a side note... When we talk about needing a number of members to become self sustaining, that assumes members paying $150 a month each. The family membership is a deal. If it is within your means, families might like to consider making a regular monthly tax deductible donation to Maker Nexus.


===Family===
==== Entry Level Membership ====
* Requires one parent with a Hobbyist membership
* $75 / month.
* Additional children between the ages of 10 and 21: $50 / month
* Access to workspace work tables, textiles, computers, 3D printers. The specific equipment is listed below. This is a restrictive membership; if the equipment is not on the list, then it is not available for Entry Level members.
* Second parent: $50 / month
* Entry Level members may only use (with the appropriate certifications)
** Work tables
** Sewing machines (not including long arm quilter), serger, walking foot
** Prusa 3MKS 3D printers
** The electronics lab
** Simple hand tools, but only on the cement floor area immediately outside of the woodshop
* Entry Level members may NOT be in the woodshop, metal shop, or hotshop.
* '''No''' machine reservation
* No storage rental


How to do it:


On a side note... When we talk about needing 200 members to become self sustaining, that is 200 members paying $150 a month each. The family membership is a real deal. If it is within your means, families might like to consider making a regular monthly tax deductible donation to Maker Nexus.
# Create an account at [https://app.amilia.com/en/Signup Amilia] our self service portal.  
# Add a credit card payment method to the account.
# Send an email to info@makernexus.org giving us your name
# We will set up an Entry Level membership and send you a welcome package


===Student===
==== Student Membership ====
* $100 / month
* $100 / month
* Requires proof of current full time enrollment
* Requires proof of current full time enrollment
* Must be at least 16 years old
* Largely the same as Hobbyist  
* Largely the same as Hobbyist  
* Age restrictions on some equipment
* Age restrictions on some equipment
How to do it:
How to do it:
# Create an account at [https://app.amilia.com/en/Signup Amilia] our self service portal.
# Add a credit card payment method to the account.
# Send an email to info@makernexus.org giving us your name
# We will set up a Student membership and send you a welcome package


===Day Passes===
===Day Passes===
At this time we do not offer day passes to the makerspace. We have considered this but our financial model would require a day pass to be so expensive that no one would actually buy them.  
At this time we do not offer day passes to the makerspace. We discourage joining for just one month. We have considered short term memberships but we have several concerns. Many of our members only use the shop one or two days a month so our financial model would require a day pass to be so expensive that we feel no one would actually buy them. Secondly, if a person were to "save up" a number of projects and then buy a day pass we think they would expect a lot of machine access in that one day, which could block regular members from using the equipment. Imagine a person who buys an expensive day pass to use the laser cutters - how much time should we give them on our busy lasers? Would a day pass user expect six hours of laser time that one day? Or a day pass user comes into the woodshop - would they monopolize the space making it uncomfortable for regular members?
 
Much of this is also true for one-month memberships. Memberships renew every month. Members can stop their membership at any time. We charge a restart fee for members who do this more than once a year (see above).
 
For these reasons we do not offer short term memberships.


===Other Levels===
===Other Levels===
We have considered other Maker Membership levels that would cost more and give access to more equipment hours per week, or access to specialized equipment. We have called these levels "Pro" and "Start Up" but we have not come to any hard decisions. Your feedback will help us design these to suit the community best.
We have considered other Maker Membership levels that would cost more and give access to more equipment hours per week, or access to specialized equipment. We have called these levels "Pro" and "Start Up" but we have not come to any hard decisions. Your feedback will help us design these to suit the community best.
=== Trade Work or Donate Equipment for a Membership? ===
Thank you for thinking of this and asking, but we are unable to do so at this time.
We have a large cadre of dedicated volunteers who put in a tremendous amount of their time into the makerspace, and all of those volunteers also pay their monthly membership dues.
It is fair to say that if a person spent 10 hours painting a wall we should give them a free month's membership. Unfortunately if we do that we will go out of business. Instead we will leave the wall unpainted until we find a volunteer willing to do it.
Similar thinking applies to donated equipment - there is a lot of expense in siting, maintaining, and creating education for members in order for an expensive piece of equipment to be useful. And that equipment is valued to the point that it brings in additional memberships to the organization. We certainly consider all donations, and we are happy to provide a 501(c)(3) tax receipt to you, but free membership months can put us into a financial down spiral that ends with closing the doors.
If we were cash flow positive or had a huge endowment to fund operations, then we might consider barter for a membership. But to be transparent and honest (which is our policy) our revenue has to fund operations and we don't have enough revenue yet.
We hope you understand our thinking. We must keep the doors open.
=== How to Cancel or Pause ===
If you need to cancel or "freeze" your membership for a few months, send an email to info@makernexus.org and we will process it asap. Don't worry if it takes a few days, we will not delay just to charge you for another month. We'll do the right thing.
If a member stops or freezes their membership and restarts, we charge a $150 start-up fee. However, we will waive that fee once in a 12 month period. If you stop/restart a second time within 12 months then we will charge you the start-up fee.
Please note that the makerspace depends on recurring membership fees to pay for operations. Without that dependable revenue we would not be able to keep the doors open. As a non-profit our financials are open - no one is making a fortune off your membership fees.


==New Members==
==New Members==
If you are new to Maker Nexus, welcome. All the communication tools can seem a bit overwhelming at first. Please visit our [[MN New Member|new member]] page.
If you are new to Maker Nexus, welcome. All the communication tools can seem a bit overwhelming at first. Please visit our [[MN New Member|new member]] page.
== Member Dashboard ==
We have a number of systems that members need to access. It can be hard to keep all the URLs sorted out. Use the [[MN Member Dashboard]] page.


==Clubs and Groups==
==Clubs and Groups==
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==Event space & meet ups==
==Event space & meet ups==
We are making our Event room available for use to non-profit organisation - if you want to have a meet-up, conference, presentation -
 
you can book it for free: https://www.makernexus.com/reservearoom
Our event space is available for use free of charge for MeetUp groups who fall within our mission and for all non-profit organizations to be used for conferences, presentations, and meetings.  You can request to book the room at  https://www.makernexus.org/reserve-a-room


==How to Help==
==How to Help==
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* [https://www.makernexus.com/membership sign up to become a member]
* [https://www.makernexus.com/membership sign up to become a member]
* spread the word to help us attract more members ([[MN Sample Ads|Some Sample Text You Can Use]])
* spread the word to help us attract more members ([[MN Sample Ads|Some Sample Text You Can Use]])
* make a donation
* help us find corporate donors
* help us find corporate donors
* [[MN Wish List |read our wish list]] and see if you can donate something we need
* [[MN Wish List |make a donation]]  
* sign up to join one of the [[Maker Nexus operating committees|operating teams]]
* join a stewards team looking after one part of the makerspace
* [[Donations|donations of equipment and such]]


We have [https://goo.gl/hoLpJD a flier] you can put up anywhere you think potential members will see it.
We have [https://goo.gl/hoLpJD a flier] you can put up anywhere you think potential members will see it.
==Thank You==
A number of people have made significant contributions to Maker Nexus. We have some [[MN Thanks You]] to read.


==More Details==
==More Details==
===Finances===
===Finances===
If you are into finance details, you can [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1vige7L2fTALkYIih6xgcMSMVj0Y-YLdQF8qYel5WNKI/edit?usp=sharing see our initial financial model]. Now that we are open the model has changed a lot.
If you are into finance details, our member reports have info on the last month's income and expenses. If you want a peek at the more full financial model for the year, ask and we'll supply it to you. It changes periodically and we will want to get you the latest version.
 
====Basic Costs====
People often want to know what it costs to run Maker Nexus. At the time of this writing we have two full time General Managers and one part time education / outreach manager. The monthly costs below are just approximate. Our financial plan requires memberships and revenue from classes and some donations/sponsorship to keep the door open.
 
* Rent  $14,000
* Wages $13,000
* Taxes $  800
* Insurance $2,500
* Utilities $  600
 
==The History - Town Halls==
The 6 member Maker Nexus (MN) board has been working on our plan since the day TechShop closed. We've had the help of several other people. We would be happy to have a board member speak to any group that is interested in our new shop.
 
To get the shop open we need a minimum of 150 members and $125,000 in donations. You can track our progress on the [http://makernexus.com Maker Nexus web site].
 
* March 28, 2018: We appreciate the [https://www.hbrobotics.org/ Homebrew Robotics Club] for letting us talk at their monthly members meeting. It's a spirited group of people, passionate about home built robots. The meeting was very interesting. The [https://goo.gl/mDCSfs presentation is online].
 
* March 23, 2018: Thanks to [https://www.artventuresgallery.com/ Art Ventures Gallery] in Menlo Park for hosting us again. The [https://goo.gl/zhcU61 presentation can be viewed online]
 
* March 11, 2018: We met at the [https://www.artventuresgallery.com/ Art Ventures Gallery] in Menlo Park. A great location for a meetup like this (with some great maker-like photographic art on exhibit). About 35 people were there with 10 new people. You can [https://goo.gl/JbDCso view the slides online]
 
* February 25, 2018: We met again in the Palo Alto Riconada Library. We had about 50 people, more than half of whom were new. We updated the community with our progress in securing a location, including information on two sites we are pursuing. You can [https://goo.gl/m9vKfS view the slides here].
 
* February 15, 2018: We met in Palo Alto Riconada Library. We had about 40 people, many new faces. Eric's update included information on our site selection and equipment acquisition. You can [https://goo.gl/6RKdX6 view the slides online].
 
* January 28, 2018: We held our second town hall. (Thanks to [https://altoschool.org/ Alto International School). About 40 new faces showed up. It was a lively crowd with a lot of laughs and questions. This community is really amazing.


* January 19, 2018: We held our first open town hall meeting. (Thanks to [http://hackerdojo.com Hacker Dojo] for hosting us.) About 80 people attended - the room was packed with some people sitting on the floor.
===Organization's History===
[[Maker Nexus History]]




[[Category: Maker Nexus Makerspace]]
[[Category: Maker Nexus Makerspace]]

Latest revision as of 11:34, 7 March 2024

Maker Nexus, Sunnyvale, California

(Information about the Maker Nexus organization's makerspace will be provided here. If you register with this wiki you can click the star at the top right to "watch" this page. If you do this then you will get an email whenever this page is updated.)

New members go to the MN New Member page to get started.

The Takeaway

For those who need the quick summary:

  • Non-profit organization
  • Makerspace: 1330 Orleans Drive, Sunnyvale, CA 94089 / 408.685.2500
  • Open 10 AM - 10 PM, seven days a week
  • A few paid staff members for support & maintenance, but a very lean organization
  • Rely heavily on volunteers
  • $150/month membership
  • Everyone has to pitch in to make this work

We hope that you, the reader, will join us in growing a healthy makerspace for everyone.

Our Mission

We believe that everyone sees opportunities to improve their world but most people lack the tools and skills to make those improvements. For some people it's a better Halloween costume; for others it's a way to provide clean water to remote villages. Maker Nexus helps everyone to gain the skills and use the tools they need to realize their dreams.

Maker Nexus is a non-profit with a mission to provide education in woodworking, textiles, metalworking, and other vocational skills and hobby crafts, and promote the same in the community. We do this by providing a community makerspace and training that serves all experience levels from hobbyists to professionals. Our goal is to help each person improve their skills whether as STEAM/STEM teen, life enrichment, job skill acquisition, or new entrepreneur.

We also work to help other non-profit makerspaces. Our classes, project sheets, governance documents, tool research, etc are all available to others under a Creative Commons license Makernexuswiki:Copyrights.

It's our hope that through Maker Nexus a plethora of good things will happen to our world.

Sometimes government officials ask how a makerspace can help their community at large. In response, we have a list of businesses that have been developed in a makerspace.

The Organization

Become a member, pledge your support, and track our progress on our website: MakerNexus.org

We are a California non-profit and classified by the IRS as a 501(c)3 tax exempt organization. Read our by laws. We are classified by the IRS as a public charity. You can view our tax returns by asking one of our general managers.

Read our officers' biographies.

Read our team history.

Position Plans for board members, volunteers, contractors, and employees.

Become part of the team

The Makerspace

Address

1330 Orleans  Drive
Sunnyvale, CA 94089
408.685.2500

Current Status

Regular hours of 10 am - 10 pm

We welcome everyone to stop by and tour the makerspace. See the machines, look at the media room, feel the carpet under your feet. To book a tour on our website: MakerNexus.org

Equipment

Lists of all our equipment by area

Need a place to hold your maker oriented meetup? Come see our facility and consider holding it here.

  • Other resources
    • large tables where you can work on your project
    • computers with design software (Adobe suite, Fusion 360, Inkscape, GIMP) - our internet speed is 50Mbps
    • 50 person event room
    • 15 person computer lab

Members may reserve equipment.

In the clean area, projects are limited to things you can do over carpet. No sanding, no wet work, etc. Other work must be done in the cement floor areas. If you have a question about a project, ask any of our staff or volunteers.

Getting certified to use equipment

If you know how to use a piece of equipment, we offer a short checkoff test with a proctor. You may arrange for a test by talking with any staff members or by posting on the appropriate Slack channel (e.g. #lasercutters, #textiles, #3dprinters)

If you need to learn to use a piece of equipment, no problem - we'll teach you! We offer Equipment Certification (EQ Training) classes for all our equipment. These short seminars will take you from a no-nothing to a user of the machine in just an hour or two. EQ Training classes are posted on Amilia. You can also arrange an ad hoc EQ Training class by posting on the #class-requests Slack channel. Just post "I'd like to arrange for a EQ Training class on <<put the machine name here>>"

Next Steps

We are continuing to work on getting more metalworking tools online (such as our old Milwaukee mills) to complement the tools already up and running in our Metalshop.

We are also working on better dust collection in the woodshop, and running more HVAC ducts throughout the space.

Pets

We do not allow pets of any kind in the makerspace. The makerspace is filled with equipment that is potentially dangerous if used without full attention. The equipment can also make sudden loud and screeching sounds. Pets can be a danger to our members who are using the equipment. Pets can be a distraction to anyone using a potentially dangerous piece of equipment. The equipment itself can also be a danger to a pet. Some pets are also close to the ground where they could be subject to inadvertent exposure to chemicals, dust, etc.

Bottom line: no pets allowed.

Important Information

Maker Memberships

We offer Maker Memberships that give access to the shop. (Different than a non-profit "membership" where you are really just donating to support the mission.) Maker Memberships are not tax-deductible. Become a member here.

Equipment Use

Some equipment is available to use immediately - the electronics lab or cordless hand tools. More dangerous or complex equipment (woodshop, 3D printers, laser cutters, as a few examples) require that you complete our associated equipment certification class. There is a cost for each class; members get a discounted price. You can take certification classes before becoming a member.

Some equipment is shared in real time. For example, the table saw is not reservable. When using the table saw for an extended period of time, please allow other members to work in their needs.

Some equipment is reservable. For example, the laser cutters. On most of these pieces of equipment we allow members to reserve three sessions per week. If you do not have a reservation and the equipment is available, you may use it. However, you must be prepared to leave the equipment if a member arrives with a reservation. We may change the number of reservations allowed per week at any time.

Our overall objective is to equitably and fairly share our equipment and space among all our members. If you have a need for extensive, extended use of some equipment, then you might need to find a facility other than Maker Nexus to accomplish your work.

See a list of our equipment

What if I already know how to use the equipment?

For some equipment we allow a member to take a test with a volunteer proctor. For example, on the laser cutter the proctor might say, "cut a one inch square out of this material," and then step back to observe. If the member can demonstrate the ability to safely and effectively use that laser cutter without ANY further input from the proctor, then they are given permission to use the machine. Arranging a test-out like this can require some patience as we don't have a lot of proctors on each piece of equipment. These sessions are arranged through Slack.

Woodshop is one exception to the rule. All members have to take at least BOSS Woodshop 1. In that class we cover more than just the major tools, we also spend significant time on woodshop etiquette, the peculiarities of our set up, and our general woodshop policies.

Age Limitations

  • Anyone aged 16 or older can hold a membership and use the tools and areas of the space allowed by their membership level.
  • Under 16 a child must be in direct supervision of a parent. The parent must have a valid membership and the child must have a Family Add-On membership. The parent must successfully complete the BOSS class for any equipment they will use with their child.
  • Minors under the age of 10 may not be in the makerspace except on a tour or as part of a scheduled class.
Clean Shop Age Limits
  • Ages 10-15 may be in the clean shop if they are in the care of a parent. They may not operate machines alone.
  • Ages 16 and over may use the clean shop and tools.
Woodshop and Metal Shop Age Limits
  • Under the age of 12 may be in the woodshop and metal shop ONLY if they are accompanied by a Maker Nexus instructor.
  • Under the age of 12 may NOT accompany a parent in the woodshop or metal shop.
  • Ages 12-15 may only be in the woodshop or metal shop if they are under the constant supervision of a parent.
  • Age 16 and over may use the woodshop or metal shop.

Membership Types

Hobbyist Membership

  • $150 / month
  • Access to all machines with some time limits per week
    • Woodshop, metal shop, Laser Cutters, 3D Printers, Electronics, heatpress/vinyl cutters, build tables
    • Textiles: sewing, CNC embroidery, Direct to Fabric Printer, Long-arm Quilter
  • May rent storage as available
  • This is the most popular level, 95% of our members are at the Hobbyist level

How to do it:

  1. Buy a membership at our online store
  2. This will require you to create an account as part of the process
  3. We will send you a welcome package with a lot of details within 2 days.

Family Add-on Membership

  • Requires one person with a Hobbyist membership
  • Additional children between the ages of 10 and 21: $50 / month each
  • Second adult: $50 / month (second adult should be living in the same household)

How to do it:

  1. Have the family member who will have the Family Add-On create an account at Amilia our self service portal.
  2. Add a credit card payment method to the account.
  3. Send an email to info@makernexus.org giving us the person's name
  4. We will set up a family add-on membership and send them a welcome package


On a side note... When we talk about needing a number of members to become self sustaining, that assumes members paying $150 a month each. The family membership is a deal. If it is within your means, families might like to consider making a regular monthly tax deductible donation to Maker Nexus.

Entry Level Membership

  • $75 / month.
  • Access to workspace work tables, textiles, computers, 3D printers. The specific equipment is listed below. This is a restrictive membership; if the equipment is not on the list, then it is not available for Entry Level members.
  • Entry Level members may only use (with the appropriate certifications)
    • Work tables
    • Sewing machines (not including long arm quilter), serger, walking foot
    • Prusa 3MKS 3D printers
    • The electronics lab
    • Simple hand tools, but only on the cement floor area immediately outside of the woodshop
  • Entry Level members may NOT be in the woodshop, metal shop, or hotshop.
  • No machine reservation
  • No storage rental

How to do it:

  1. Create an account at Amilia our self service portal.
  2. Add a credit card payment method to the account.
  3. Send an email to info@makernexus.org giving us your name
  4. We will set up an Entry Level membership and send you a welcome package

Student Membership

  • $100 / month
  • Requires proof of current full time enrollment
  • Must be at least 16 years old
  • Largely the same as Hobbyist
  • Age restrictions on some equipment

How to do it: How to do it:

  1. Create an account at Amilia our self service portal.
  2. Add a credit card payment method to the account.
  3. Send an email to info@makernexus.org giving us your name
  4. We will set up a Student membership and send you a welcome package

Day Passes

At this time we do not offer day passes to the makerspace. We discourage joining for just one month. We have considered short term memberships but we have several concerns. Many of our members only use the shop one or two days a month so our financial model would require a day pass to be so expensive that we feel no one would actually buy them. Secondly, if a person were to "save up" a number of projects and then buy a day pass we think they would expect a lot of machine access in that one day, which could block regular members from using the equipment. Imagine a person who buys an expensive day pass to use the laser cutters - how much time should we give them on our busy lasers? Would a day pass user expect six hours of laser time that one day? Or a day pass user comes into the woodshop - would they monopolize the space making it uncomfortable for regular members?

Much of this is also true for one-month memberships. Memberships renew every month. Members can stop their membership at any time. We charge a restart fee for members who do this more than once a year (see above).

For these reasons we do not offer short term memberships.

Other Levels

We have considered other Maker Membership levels that would cost more and give access to more equipment hours per week, or access to specialized equipment. We have called these levels "Pro" and "Start Up" but we have not come to any hard decisions. Your feedback will help us design these to suit the community best.

Trade Work or Donate Equipment for a Membership?

Thank you for thinking of this and asking, but we are unable to do so at this time.

We have a large cadre of dedicated volunteers who put in a tremendous amount of their time into the makerspace, and all of those volunteers also pay their monthly membership dues.

It is fair to say that if a person spent 10 hours painting a wall we should give them a free month's membership. Unfortunately if we do that we will go out of business. Instead we will leave the wall unpainted until we find a volunteer willing to do it.

Similar thinking applies to donated equipment - there is a lot of expense in siting, maintaining, and creating education for members in order for an expensive piece of equipment to be useful. And that equipment is valued to the point that it brings in additional memberships to the organization. We certainly consider all donations, and we are happy to provide a 501(c)(3) tax receipt to you, but free membership months can put us into a financial down spiral that ends with closing the doors.

If we were cash flow positive or had a huge endowment to fund operations, then we might consider barter for a membership. But to be transparent and honest (which is our policy) our revenue has to fund operations and we don't have enough revenue yet.

We hope you understand our thinking. We must keep the doors open.

How to Cancel or Pause

If you need to cancel or "freeze" your membership for a few months, send an email to info@makernexus.org and we will process it asap. Don't worry if it takes a few days, we will not delay just to charge you for another month. We'll do the right thing.

If a member stops or freezes their membership and restarts, we charge a $150 start-up fee. However, we will waive that fee once in a 12 month period. If you stop/restart a second time within 12 months then we will charge you the start-up fee.

Please note that the makerspace depends on recurring membership fees to pay for operations. Without that dependable revenue we would not be able to keep the doors open. As a non-profit our financials are open - no one is making a fortune off your membership fees.

New Members

If you are new to Maker Nexus, welcome. All the communication tools can seem a bit overwhelming at first. Please visit our new member page.

Member Dashboard

We have a number of systems that members need to access. It can be hard to keep all the URLs sorted out. Use the MN Member Dashboard page.

Clubs and Groups

We have a number of groups running within our organization. Read about them on the MN Clubs and Groups page.

Event space & meet ups

Our event space is available for use free of charge for MeetUp groups who fall within our mission and for all non-profit organizations to be used for conferences, presentations, and meetings. You can request to book the room at https://www.makernexus.org/reserve-a-room

How to Help

We have a flier you can put up anywhere you think potential members will see it.

Thank You

A number of people have made significant contributions to Maker Nexus. We have some MN Thanks You to read.

More Details

Finances

If you are into finance details, our member reports have info on the last month's income and expenses. If you want a peek at the more full financial model for the year, ask and we'll supply it to you. It changes periodically and we will want to get you the latest version.

Organization's History

Maker Nexus History