News

Summer is in full swing, and so is activity at the Makerspace! From events to upgrades, there's a lot to share—check out what’s new:

Maker Faire Committee Kicks Off

Planning for our booth at Milwaukee Maker Faire (Nov 8–9) is underway! Our first committee meeting is scheduled—join us and help shape what we show off to the community. Whether you want to build, plan, or just lend a hand, we’d love your input.
RSVP for the committee meeting

Metalworking Area Expansion

The metal shop is growing! We’re adding a plasma cutter over the next couple of weeks and rearranging some tooling to make space. More updates (and sparks) soon!

Air Line Improvements

No more fighting with the stubborn air reel near the assembly bench! We're installing a more intuitive air supply and relocating the original reel to the metalworking area where it’ll be a better fit.

Quarterly Board Meeting – Tuesday, July 15 (6:30–8:00pm)

Curious about how the space is run? Our next Quarterly Board Meeting is on Tuesday, July 15th from 6:30pm to 8:00pm. All are welcome to attend—just remember to keep side conversations low while we handle board business.
View the event here

Monthly Open House – Sunday, July 6

Come meet fellow makers, see new equipment, and show off your projects! Our next open house is Sunday, July 6 from 6:00–7:00pm. Members and curious newcomers are all welcome.
See event details

New Chairs, Screens & Tech

• A generous donor dropped off 24 wheeled office chairs, now distributed around the space for your comfort.

• Flatscreen TVs and touchscreen computers were also donated recently. We’re planning to use the touchscreens to build a helpful inventory and equipment interface for members. Stay tuned!

Help Train Our Members

We’re seeking volunteers to offer quick, 30-minute training sessions on shop tools like the table saw, sanders, welders, and more. These don’t need to be formal classes—just quick, practical introductions to help others use the space safely.
Interested? Please email us at info@waukeshamakers.com with your availability.

This Space is Yours—Help Us Keep It Awesome

Waukesha Makerspace is a community-run shop built on the passion and participation of its members. Whether you’re helping with events, donating materials, or showing someone how to use a tool—you’re what keeps this place running. Thanks for being part of it, and we hope to see you at the next event or around the shop!

— The Waukesha Makerspace Team

Access Changes — Action Required!

As of June 15th, we've disabled access for anyone not signed up in the new member system. If your key fob no longer works, it’s likely because you haven't joined the new system yet. You can regain access by signing up for a free account on our website. Just click the “Join Us” link at the top of the page, fill out your info, and we’ll get you approved!

MakerCade Progress

Our in-house arcade cabinet project—the MakerCade—is coming along beautifully! Stay tuned for photos and more updates soon. It’s already shaping up to be a real showpiece for the space.

Orientation Process Launched

We’ve officially rolled out a structured New Member Orientation! The session takes about 90 minutes and includes a walkthrough of:

• Accessing the space

• Emergency procedures

• Website tools

• Membership expectations
  Initial feedback has been great, and we’ll be making a few small tweaks to streamline things even more. This is now a key step in onboarding new members.

Help Us Teach!

We're looking for volunteers to run short, 30-minute training sessions on equipment. Know your way around the bandsaw? Curious how the laser cutter works? Whether you're an expert or a learner willing to teach after training, we want you!
Reach out if you're interested in helping others build skills.

Milwaukee Maker Faire – November 8–9

We’d love to have a booth at the Milwaukee Maker Faire, but we need your help to make it happen! If you’re interested in helping plan, set up, or staff our booth, please email us at info@waukeshamakers.com. It’s a great opportunity to show off the space and meet other creators from across the region.

Summer Vibes (and Responsibilities)

With the warm weather here, feel free to open the shop doors to let in a breeze—but please remember to close them before you leave. Let’s keep the space secure (and bug-free).

That’s all for now! Keep making, keep sharing, and don’t hesitate to reach out with ideas or questions.

— The Waukesha Makerspace Team

As we roll into summer, we’re thrilled to share some exciting updates and upgrades happening at the Waukesha Makerspace!

Expanded Metal Area + Plasma Cutter Incoming
Our metalworking area just got a major upgrade! We've expanded the space to better support fabrication projects and acquired a new plasma cutter, which will be operational soon. Stay tuned for training and access information.

Spring Cleaning = Huge Success
A massive THANK YOU to the amazing volunteers who came out for our Spring Cleaning event! We got a ton of work done, had a great time doing it, and the shop has never looked better.

We also want to give big shout-outs to the local businesses who kept our crew fueled and energized throughout the weekend:

• Marty’s Pizza (Delafield)

• Grimaldi’s Pizzeria (Brookfield)

• Glass Nickel Pizza Co. (Waukesha)

• Sunset Bowl (Waukesha)

• Great Harvest Bread Co. (Delafield)

• Nothing Bundt Cakes (Delafield)

Please consider showing these generous businesses some love next time you're in the area!

New Membership Tiers Start June 1st
We’ve launched updated membership tiers effective June 1st to better support our growing community and operating costs. You can view the new pricing and benefits breakdown here:
https://wiki.waukeshamakers.com/Participation/Pricing

New Member System Launching June 15th
Starting June 15th, all existing members must be signed up on our new membership platform to retain building access. If you haven’t already, visit this page to get signed up:
https://www.waukeshamakers.com/join-us
Choose your membership level, complete the onboarding form, and keep an eye out for your confirmation email.

Table Saw Overhaul
Our primary table saw has been fully upgraded with a new fence, new motor, and improved alignment. It’s cutting smoother and safer than ever before—come see (and feel) the difference.

️ Multi-Tool Bench in Woodworking
We’ve added a dedicated multi-tool bench featuring our lathe, disc sander, jointer, and scroll saw, making it easier to access these tools all in one convenient workspace.

Leatherworking Rack Installed
A new materials rack has been installed in the leatherworking area to help organize and store hides, tools, and supplies. It’s a small addition with a big impact on workflow.

New Floor Drill Press
A beefier floor-standing drill press is now located in the woodworking area. It offers greater range and power—perfect for your next precision project.

Paint Booth Construction Underway
We’ve started building a small paint booth for safe, ventilated finishing work. More details coming soon as construction progresses!

Thank you to everyone who continues to bring creativity, community, and energy into the space. Whether you're attending events, volunteering your time, or just building something cool—we appreciate you.

Check out our events calendar and stop by soon!

— The Waukesha Makerspace Team

Our Spring Cleaning Event is happening this weekend and you’re invited to stop by and see what treasures await!

Saturday, May 17th & Sunday, May 18th
9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Waukesha Makerspace – 2111 S West Ave Unit 58, Waukesha, WI

We’re clearing out surplus tools, hardware, materials, and all sorts of useful odds and ends—perfect for makers, tinkerers, and DIYers looking for a great deal while supporting the space.

There will also be prizes and giveaways generously donated by local businesses—just our way of saying thanks for being part of the maker community.

Whether you're hunting for tools, curious about what we've been up to, or just want to drop by and say hello, we’d love to see you.

Get all the details here: https://www.waukeshamakers.com/event-6167504

And hey, why did the maker bring a ladder to the workshop?

Because they heard the ideas were on another level.

Let’s make room for new projects—together!

We’re excited to announce the launch of the new Waukesha Makerspace website — your new hub for everything happening at the space!

This new site is more than just a facelift — it’s a major upgrade to how we connect with our community. Whether you’re a long-time member or just discovering us for the first time, the site has something for everyone:

• Become a Member — Discover how easy it is to join and start making.
• Stay in the Loop — Find out about upcoming events, workshops, and meetings.
• Get Informed — Learn about our tools, policies, community values, and how to get the most out of your membership.
• Support the Space — Donate directly to help keep the lights on and the machines humming.
• And So Much More — We’re always evolving, and now our website is too.

This is just the beginning. We’ll continue updating the site with fresh content, featured projects, photos, and opportunities to get involved.

Help us spread the word!
Together, let’s build something amazing.