Come see for yourself what all the buzz is about in the historic Sawtooth Building located right next to the parking garage at 46 Main Street in Claremont, New Hampshire. Learn about the tools available in these shops:

• Wood shop: Wood you believe we have most woodworking tools, plus a CNC Router, wood turning lathes and more?
• Electronics lab:  Resistance is futile – amp things up with tools for small electronics, 3D printers, a laser cutter, and a trinocular microscope.
• Jewelry studio: Beadware! Making jewelry is addictive! We have the tools needed for shaping, texturing, enameling and soldering, finishing your project.
• Metal shop: Weld, do we have a great Metal shop for you! Everything needed for working with metal, cutting, shaping, MIG, TIG and Stick welding, plasma cutting.
• Fiber arts studio: Weave your way into the textiles studio when you need needles, thread and sewing machines, but we also have a mid arm quilter, a textile dyeing area, a Cricut cutter and an embroidery machine.
• Computer lab: Print life-size photos! Learn about our large format printer and new photography print options. 
• Machine shop:  Mill your prototype! We are opening the machine shop with new metrology and machining classes that cover the mill, lathe and grinder. 

Studios will be open and skilled craftsmen will be on hand to answer your questions, showcase their work and offer tours of their shops.  A select number of members will be selling their products so you can pick up a last minute gift for Father’s Day. 

This event is FREE. There is plenty of parking next door in the municipal parking garage. Everyone is welcome! Registration is requested but not required. 

Come connect with members of the local creative community and learn what the Claremont MakerSpace has to offer. 

Open to all ages, children under 16 years old must be accompanied by their adult.

The Claremont MakerSpace has an Amateur Radio club! Before makers, hackers, and DIY, there was Amateur Radio. 

Join us on June 16 at 1 p.m. for our monthly meeting (every third Sunday) You do not have to be a licensed ham to participate, just bring your curiosity and energy! Everyone is welcome! Each month, we feature a presenter (45 minutes to an hour), and after we adjourn to MakerSpace’s Digital Fabrication and Electronics Lab for open-time kit building, sharing, studying, and socializing.

This Month’s Presentation: Radiosport – the games that Amateur Radio Operators play

Amateur Radio Contesting is an exciting way to improve your operating skills. You can participate with a team, or on your own. Contests can be short, lasting just one to four hours, or might run 48 hours straight, or even an entire year. Some can literally last a lifetime. Each contest has different rules, objectives, and incentives. Every weekend you will find a contest on UHF, VHF, HF, Satellite or you might even find a contest involving bouncing signals off the moon.

Field Day (coming up on June 22-23, 2024) is a “non-contest contest”. DXCC is an incentive to work as many countries as possible during your entire Amateur Radio career. Summits on the Air, Parks on the Air, Islands on the Air, and Radio Direction Finding are all popular Radiosport activities..

This month’s presenter is Steve Goldsmith (W1HS). A technology and environmental geek, Steve spent his career designing, building, and operating telecommunications networks and high-availability computer facilities. Steve has been a licensed Amateur Radio Operator for 41 years and currently serves as a Volunteer Examiner and Technical Specialist for the New Hampshire Section of the Amateur Radio Relay League (ARRL).

What is Amateur Radio?

Amateur Radio (often called ham radio) is a popular hobby and service that brings people, electronics, and communication together. People use Amateur Radio to talk across town, around the world, or even into space, all without the Internet or cell phones. It’s fun, social, educational, and can be a lifeline during times of need.

How is Amateur Radio used?

Amateur Radio is used for a variety of recreational and service-related activities. Amateur Radio operators, also called “hams,” use Amateur Radio equipment to engage in two-way personal communications with other hams, as well as:

• Aid communication during public events, such as parades and road races
• Act as a vital communications link during emergencies and disasters
• Advance their technical skills and build their own radio components (ever wanted to talk to an astronaut in orbit?)
• Participate in competitive events and earn awards in contests

Who can become a ham?

Anyone of any age who is not a representative of a foreign government can be an Amateur Radio operator in the US. Before you can get on the air, you’ll need to be licensed and know the rules to operate legally. In the US there are three license classes — Technician, General, and Amateur Extra. The Claremont MakerSpace has resources and support available to help you learn and prepare to take your exam. 

You can learn more about amateur radio here: arrl.org/what-is-ham-radio

Bring your electronics projects and supplies and have fun visiting with other Electronics Enthusiasts. Work on your projects in our stocked Electronics and Digital Fabrication Lab. In addition to the MakerSpace’s soldering irons, diagnostic tools, and parts library, there will be some LED soldering kits and soldering irons available for purchase as well.
 
Hang out, finish your projects, think about future projects, and just enjoy being around other electronics enthusiasts.
 
Tiffany, the electronics shop lead, will be available to help you set up, find parts, and offer support.

Class Fees: Free for members and $5 for non-members.

Materials Fee: None (LED soldering kits and personal soldering irons are available onsite for purchase

Prerequisite(s): None

Skill Level: Any

Age requirement: Youth and adult (15 years and older). Under 15 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian partner.

 In this workshop, you’ll learn the basics of silver-smithing while you make a simple silver ring! The instructor will guide you through various options for how to embellish your band, the shape of which you will get to choose.  You’ll try soldering and learn how to polish your finished product into a beautiful ring! No experience necessary. All materials will be provided, and $5 materials fee is included in the registration cost.

About the Instructor(s): Melanie has been making silver jewelry at CMS since 2018. Her first introduction was THIS VERY CLASS! She proceeded to get certified in the studio and now creates nature inspired jewelry for fun in her free time. She also owns and operates Mel Tata Photography and loves shooting wicked fun weddings on analogue mediums.

Class Fees: $50 members/ $60 non-members

Materials Fee: $5 included in the fee

Prerequisite(s): none

Skill Level: beginner

Age requirement: Adults only (18 years and older)

Fusible applique is a fun, easy way to add to your quilts, make colorful pillows or bags, and patch clothing! We will experiment with shapes and decorative stitiching using double sided webbing that becomes an adhesive with heat. Students will go home with a variety of samples that they can refer to for future projects.

About the Instructor(s):  Michelle Goldsmith has been sewing since she was eight and quilting since she was eighteen (no, she’s not doing the math for how long ago that was). She has experimented with many different sewing, quilting and mixed media techniques. She has had many pieces of her work in shows and juried exhibits.

Class Fees:  $15 members/ $25 non-members

Materials Fee: $10 (included in the class fee)

Prerequisite(s): Students should be able to use a sewing machine

Skill Level: beginner

Age requirement: adults ages 18 and up

Thinking about trying out MIG welding? This is an introductory workshop in learning, safety, tools and techniques in MIG welding. No experience required.

Must provide your own safety glasses, leather work shoes and leather gloves. Helmets, jackets and materials will be provided. 

Students will:
. Learn about safety in the metal shop and welding studio
. Learn about MIG welding equipment and materials to be used
. Use the MIG welding equipment to spot weld, draw a bead and join two prices of metal

About the Instructors: Jo Ann Clifford is a Master Teacher and Metal Artist. She has been creating metal Art in her home studio and at The Claremont Maker Space for several years. She is a past Artist In Residence at CMS and has shown her work regionally. She loves to teach and inspire others to try something new in a fun and supportive environment.

Class Fees: $55 members, $75 non-members.

Materials Fee: none

Prerequisite: none

Skill Level: beginner

Age Requirement: Adults only (18 years and above)

Creatively arrange objects or negatives for exposure on the specially coated paper, develop and rinse the paper and you have art worthy of framing!

Students will learn the process of creating cyanotype prints, understanding the chemical reactions involved, and exploring artistic creativity through this photographic printing process.

Please bring: Any flat found objects such as leaves, dried flowers, ferns, lace, and anything that creates shadows.

About the Instructor(s): Melanie Hooker graduated second in her class from Hallmark Institute of Photography in 2015. She has a passion for film photography and has been a member at CMS since 2018. Melanie runs a successful wedding photography business and loves sharing her enthusiasm for all type of photography and prints. 

Class Fees: $15 members/ $20 non-members

Materials Fee: $5 included in the class fee

Prerequisite(s): none

Skill Level: all

Age requirement: any – ages 15 and under must be accompanied by an adult

Have you ever wanted to use a computer to design and make parts using computerized machine tools?  In this class we will learn how to design parts in Vectric VCarve Pro. Then we will use this design to cut out a part using a computerized milling machine (CNC), called a ShopBot.  Join us for the fun..     

We are introducing a set of two training sessions to help users learn VCarve software and the ShopBot. The ShopBot is a computer-controlled router that can cut various materials with high degree of precision. The VCarve software application by Vectric is used to design parts, which are cut by the ShopBot. These training sessions are intended to get you proficient in using these systems. After these sessions, the successful student will be well-prepared for certification on the ShopBot.

Session 1, VCarve (3 hours):
The first session will introduce the user to 2D design using Vectric VCarve version 12. We’ll learn how to download and install a trial version of VCarve Pro. We will begin with a review of user interface in VCarve. We will then use the CAD features of VCarve to draw parts. The use of various drawing tools will be discussed in addition to managing and importing vectors. We will use these drawing tools in VCarve to design a simple sign while in class. We’ll review the use of layers to separate our design elements into more manageable pieces.
Once our design is complete, we’ll discuss the use of router bits and how to control the chip load of the bit in the ShopBot. We’ll also discuss the various types of router bits. We will review router bit management using the tool database in VCarve. Once our sign design is complete, we will discuss the CAM features in VCarve and construct tool paths. We will learn how to organize, save and export these toolpaths for cutting the sign in the ShopBot.

Session 2, Using the ShopBot (1 hour):
This session will start with a review of the safety features of the ShopBot. This will be followed by a discussion of the machine components, holding down the work piece on the spoil board and setting the X, Y and Z axis. Next, we will discuss the workflow of managing the toolpaths we created in our prior class. Finally, we will execute the tool paths we created and cut the sign we designed in class.

It would be helpful to bring a PC computer, but it is not necessary. VCarve is a PC only software (no Mac version).

This class meets for 2 sessions:

Monday, June 24, 2024 5:30-8:30p.m. (in the classroom)

and

Thursday June 27, 2024 5:30-7:00p.m.(in the wood shop)

About the Instructor(s): Russ Scaduto received his doctorate in biochemistry from Indiana University and then spent 34 years at the Penn State University College of Medicine where he conducted research and taught graduate and medical students.   Retirement in 2018 brought Russ to New Hampshire, where he joined the Claremont MakerSpace to further pursue his woodworking hobby.  Last spring Russ was juried in as a craftsman in the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen. 

Class Fees: $40 members/ $65 non-members

Materials Fee: none

Prerequisite(s): none

Skill Level: Intermediate

Age requirement: Adult (18 and up)

Have you completed the “Introduction to MIG welding” class? Now you are looking for more experience or have a small project in mind? This class is offered in a collaborative, open studio format. It is designed for those who want to gain more experience or work on an individual project with a guide on the side. The instructor will be present to watch safety, discuss project ideas, answer questions, and make suggestions. There will be no formal instruction during this time. This open studio time is designed to be collaborative, time and equipment will be shared by participants. So bring your project (or just mess around with our scrap) and gain more experience under light collaborative guidance.

About the Instructor(s): 

Jo Ann Clifford is a Master Teacher and Metal Artist. She has been creating metal art for several years at the Claremont Maker Space and in her home studio. She is passionate about repurposing, rescuing, and reimagining discarded materials giving them new purpose through art. She is a past Artist in Residence at CMS and has shown her work regionally. She loves to teach and inspire others to try something new.

You must be at least 18 years old to attend this class.

Class Fees: $40 members/ $55 non-members

Materials Fee: none

Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of the “Intro to MIG Welding” class

Skill Level: Beginners meeting the above prerequisite

Age requirement: Adults only (18 years and older)

In this course, students will learn how to effectively use various types of measuring equipment for the purpose of precision metal fabrication. This class is oriented towards introductory students who may or may not have any experience in metalwork. We will start by going over the basics in the class room and then move our class into the machine shop. Each person will have the opportunity to use a Milling machine and leave with a finished product.

We will be making a simple 1″x 2″x 3″ (+/- .001) block, which may not sound complex but is very difficult in practice. This is a good opportunity to see how a part goes from stock material to a finished part in a matter of a few hours or less.

If you enjoy this course, stay tuned for the intermediate class!

Please wear shop-safe clothing to class!

About the Instructor(s): 

Joe Sneed is the new lead in the metal shop. He has been a Tool and Die maker, CNC machinist, and is now doing Tool and Die repair work in Lebanon, NH. 

Joe grew up in Springfield, MO and moved to Claremont last year for work. He enjoys rock climbing and doing things outside. He has a degree in Mechatronics, and has been doing fabrication and design for over 7 years. 

“I look forward to meeting the class and passing along the insights and skills others have shown me.” 

Class Fees: $60 members/ $80 non-members

Materials Fee: $20 included in the fee

Prerequisite(s): shop safety

Skill Level: beginner/ intermediate

Age requirement: Adults only (18 years and older)

In this course, students will learn how to effectively use various types of measuring equipment for the purpose of precision metal fabrication. This class is oriented towards introductory students who may or may not have any experience in metalwork. We will start by going over the basics in the class room and then move our class into the machine shop. Each person will have the opportunity to use a Milling machine and leave with a finished product.

We will be making a simple 1″x 2″x 3″ (+/- .001) block, which may not sound complex but is very difficult in practice. This is a good opportunity to see how a part goes from stock material to a finished part in a matter of a few hours or less.

If you enjoy this course, stay tuned for the intermediate class!

Please wear shop-safe clothing to class!

About the Instructor(s): 

Joe Sneed is the new lead in the metal shop. He has been a Tool and Die maker, CNC machinist, and is now doing Tool and Die repair work in Lebanon, NH. 

Joe grew up in Springfield, MO and moved to Claremont last year for work. He enjoys rock climbing and doing things outside. He has a degree in Mechatronics, and has been doing fabrication and design for over 7 years. 

“I look forward to meeting the class and passing along the insights and skills others have shown me.” 

Class Fees: $60 members/ $80 non-members

Materials Fee: $20 included in the fee

Prerequisite(s): shop safety

Skill Level: beginner/ intermediate

Age requirement: Adults only (18 years and older)