r/makerspace

Hi! I am actively working on reuniting rebuilding etc. a local non profit where I live. I only really started to gain traction in finding old members and volunteers recently as I am totally new to the group and had no access to their old accounts etc. Which I still don't. I managed to track down a couple old organizers who were willing to talk to me, help etc. And TODAY am hosting an online meeting on Google meets with at least 5 people but possibly more to discuss how things will go going forward.

I would love feedback from you in the community here on reddit on what kind of things I should bring up as the main first topics. Also any other thoughts or whatever.

I started my detective work about 7 months ago now... and 1 month ago found 2 of the most prominent volunteers from the organization. I also found out the non profit is still registered and one of the two of them is actually the chairman. This means we really should be able to use the old org etc. We got some pretty strong minds on this, I am an interaction design student and former electronics technician, there is a fullstack student, some artists and carpentry experts etc.

I am looking at this as a case of codesign in a sense. Something I have learnt about extensively in university. I hope to use my communication skills etc. To help organize the group into an asynchronous set of individuals all building up the same vision, a vision we all see differently but will be better for that reason.

Thanks again!

I'm applying to an internship in a makerspace and I don't know what to answer for two of the questions.

For context, this makerspace does almost everything; 3D printing, laser cutting, electronics, desktop CNC machining, PCB fabrication, and many other things.

The questions I can't answer are:

1. Share a story showing how you supported or collaborated with others. (60 sec)

2. Show your creativity: Pick two random items in arm’s reach and explain how you’d combine them into something useful. (60 sec)

They both have a time limit of 60 seconds to answer them.

Most of my projects have been solo, so I don't know what to say for the first question, but I have 3 ideas:

- Helping my friend learn C, he's a beginner and has been learning it as his first language and found many things hard to understand, so I used to help him.

- Helping my brother (10 years) learn electronics. He likes it as a hobby, but I'm always with him when learning it for safety, support, and help.

- One time at that makerspace someone was doing a project with an ESP32 and some sensors, but it wasn't working, so she asked for help. I couldn't find out what was the problem, but I tried my best to help.

I also have done some open source contributions but they were mostly documentation fixes, so I don't want that to be my focus in this question.

Hey you all,

I saw a documentary about Ukraine and how fast its defence adapts to new weapons in the terrible war they are fighting. The workshops they showed remind me a lot of Makerspaces. Small workshops with tons of knowledge! I wrote a letter to our ministry of defence in the Netherlands that it would be great if they would set up a funding program for makerspaces. Its a win win. If theres no war you invest in technology for whatever industry if theres is a war you have an ‘underground’ network of tech hubs on which you can rely on in darker times for direct innovation. No response so far on my letter. If all of you write similar letters to your government this could be an option.

Hello everyone,
I am currently working on a project where I need a flat, coiled spring identical to the ones used inside a 10m (33ft) tape measure.
Does anyone know the exact technical term I should search for, and more importantly, where I can order something like this online as a finished part? I am based in Germany, so European suppliers or shops that ship here without insane shipping costs would be amazing.
Thanks in advance for your help!

Hi everyone,

I have been designing and uploading models on MakerWorld for a while.

https://makerworld.com/zh/@user_3056220281

Most of my designs are cute/fun models because I enjoy creating characters and decorative items. I spend a lot of time on modeling, testing prints, and improving the details.

https://makerworld.com/zh/models/2964321-ocean-animal-collection-wave-3#profileId-3323458

https://preview.redd.it/y8yri389779h1.png?width=1000&format=png&auto=webp&s=f18ac294b3235c10a4cdd330d2d737404af5af99

However, I noticed that my views, downloads, and followers are growing very slowly.

This made me wonder:

Does MakerWorld's algorithm/community generally favor functional models more than cute models?

For example:

- organizers

- tools

- accessories

- useful everyday items

seem to get more downloads, while decorative/cute models may only attract a smaller audience.

I am curious about experienced creators:

1. What type of models usually bring more traffic on MakerWorld?

2. Is it better to focus on useful designs instead of artistic/cute designs?

3. Are there specific things that helped you increase views and followers?

   - better thumbnails?

   - better titles/tags?

   - posting frequency?

   - joining contests?

I don't want to stop making cute models, but I also want to understand how creators grow on this platform.

Would love to hear your experience.

Right to repair, posted the second part because the first part didn't have the 3d printing overreach bill.