Waukesha Makerspace News

You Belong Here (Even If It Doesn't Feel Like It Yet)

Casey Kerr — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 18:40:33 GMT

If you've ever walked into the shop and felt like everyone else knows what they're doing except you — you're not alone. Turns out, almost everyone feels that way.

We wrote about it on Makerspace Launchpad: Why Your Newest Members Think They Don't Belong

If you've been hesitant to start a project, ask for help, or even just show up — this one's for you.

Winter & Spring Updates at Waukesha Makerspace

Casey Kerr — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 20:23:52 GMT

We've been busy making the space better for everyone. Here's what's new:

New Equipment: xTool S1 Laser

We've added an xTool S1 laser to our lineup, giving members even more options for cutting and engraving projects.

Shop Reorganization

We've reorganized several areas of the shop over the past few months. The laser area moved to the Fiber Arts room with more workspace, the metalworking area was restructured for better flow, and the wood shop

got an expanded layout. The result across the board: more usable space and a less crowded experience.

Growing Our Board

We're excited to welcome Renee Love and Brian Oswald to the Waukesha Makerspace Board of Directors. Their experience and energy will help guide the makerspace as we continue to grow.

Come See the Space

If you haven't visited in a while — or haven't visited at all — our monthly Open House is free and open to the public. Check our events page for the next date.

Trainings, Polls, Projects, Raffles, and More

Casey Kerr — Fri, 12 Sep 2025 21:52:50 GMT

Fall is just around the corner, and things are buzzing at Waukesha Makerspace! Whether you’re here to build, volunteer, learn, vote, or just socialize—there’s something for everyone. Read on for upcoming events, fun announcements, and a few ways you can help keep our community thriving.

New Member Orientations Scheduled Through Year-End

We’ve got orientation sessions scheduled all the way through early next year! These sessions are vital for welcoming new members and showing them the ropes. If you’re interested in helping out—whether it’s learning how to run one or just hanging out and supporting the cause—you can sign up for any scheduled orientation. It’s a fun, simple way to get involved.

See upcoming orientation events

Hack Pack Build Night – Tuesday, Sept 23 at 6 PM

Join us for our very first Hack Pack Night, where we’ll be building the Domino Robot kit from Crunch Labs. It’s part engineering, part chaos, and fully fun. Whether you love robotics or just like making things move, this is a laid-back, learn-as-you-go workshop for all skill levels.

Event info and registration

Maker Faire Committee Meeting – Sunday, Oct 5 at 5 PM

Want to help us bring Waukesha Makerspace to Maker Faire Milwaukee? Or just curious what goes into pulling off an exhibit? Whether you’re volunteering or just observing, this is a great way to peek behind the scenes. No experience necessary—even if you’ve never been to a Maker Faire before!

More info

Monthly Open House – Sunday, Oct 5 at 6 PM

Right after the Maker Faire meeting, we roll into our monthly member meeting and open house. Come hear what’s new around the shop, meet other members, talk shop, and get inspired. And yes—Casey will almost certainly do something weird or wonderful.

Details here

Board Meeting – Wednesday, Oct 8 at 6:30 PM

Our next quarterly board meeting is open to all members. We’ll be discussing key decisions that help run the space. If you’re interested in joining the board, this is your opportunity to see how things work and get involved. Please keep side chatter to a minimum so we can stay on track.

Meeting info

Raffle Time – Win Stuff Just for Supporting the Space

Anyone who signs up for a monthly or annual unlimited membership by October 1st will be automatically entered into our next raffle drawing. Prizes will be announced soon and winners will be drawn at the October 7th Open House (you don’t need to be present to win).

This is a great time to support the Makerspace and get a shot at something cool!

Shop Airline Installation Party – Tuesday, Sept 30 at 4:30 PM

We’re finally installing the new shop airline! The more people we have, the better. The job will take a couple of hours, so whether you show up right away or swing by later in the evening, we could use the help.

Event details

Volunteer to Teach a Mini-Class

Know how to solder? Use the miter saw? Slice models for 3D printing? We’re looking for folks to host 30 to 120 minute “mini classes” on beginner-friendly topics.

Even if you’re a beginner yourself, chances are someone else is even newer and would love to learn from you.

Reach out with a topic and a time and we’ll get it on the calendar!

See you around the shop,

The Waukesha Makerspace Team

Waukesha Makerspace – Fall Updates & Opportunities

Casey Kerr — Fri, 29 Aug 2025 18:47:43 GMT

It’s been an exciting few weeks at the space, and there’s even more coming up. From hands-on training and community outreach to collaborative projects and big event planning, now’s a great time to plug in. Here’s what’s happening:

Radial Arm Saw Training with Marlin

We recently held a radial arm saw training session led by long-time member Marlin, and it was a great success. Members received hands-on instruction, learned about safe operation, and gained valuable tips.

Laser Demo for CESA 1 Schools

Wally hosted a laser demonstration for representatives from the CESA 1 schools of Waukesha County. The goal was to help them build a case for installing a laser system in their own schools. It was a great opportunity to showcase our capabilities and help inspire the next generation of makers.

Orientation Dates Scheduled Through Year-End

Member orientation sessions have now been scheduled through the end of the year. These sessions are required for new members and are a great way to get familiar with the space, safety procedures, and how everything works.

We’re also looking for volunteers to help run orientations—if you’d like to learn how, the best way is to sign up for an upcoming session and observe. They’re easy to run, take just 60–90 minutes, and make a big difference in welcoming new folks.

See upcoming orientation sessions

Maker Faire Committee Meeting – September 7

Our next planning meeting for Maker Faire Milwaukee is happening on Saturday, September 7 from 5:00–6:00 PM.

We still need volunteers to help make Waukesha Makerspace’s presence a success—from booth setup and displays to signage and staffing.

Join the committee meeting

Monthly Open House – Also September 7

Immediately following the Maker Faire committee meeting is our next Open House:

Saturday, September 7 from 6:00–8:00 PM

Whether you’re a long-time member or just curious about the space, come by to check out what’s new, meet other makers, talk projects, and find out how to get more involved.

Event details here

Board Meeting – October 8

The next Quarterly Board Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, October 8 from 6:30–8:00 PM, and is open to all members.

If you’ve ever wanted to be more involved in running and shaping the space, now’s your chance—we’re currently looking to expand the board and bring in fresh perspectives.

Meeting info here

Group Builds with Hack Pack Kits

This fall we’ll be hosting group build sessions using Hack Pack kits from Crunch Labs. These fun, beginner-friendly kits include projects like rubber band turrets, domino robots, and more.

If you’ve ever wanted to build simple robotic systems—or just learn alongside others—these upcoming sessions are a great chance to dive in.

Learn more about Hack Packs

Watch your inbox for scheduling announcements soon.

Waukesha Makerspace runs on community energy—whether you’re volunteering, teaching, donating, or just showing up and creating. Thanks to everyone who’s helped keep the momentum going.

Stay creative,

The Waukesha Makerspace Team

Waukesha Makerspace is Headed to Milwaukee Maker Faire – Help Us Build Something Awesome!

Casey Kerr — Wed, 06 Aug 2025 22:35:02 GMT

We’re excited to announce that Waukesha Makerspace will be exhibiting at Milwaukee Maker Faire on November 8–9, 2025, with setup taking place on Friday, November 7th. Our team is already hard at work planning an engaging booth packed with demos, hands-on activities, and member-made creations—but we need your help to make it all happen!

What We're Planning:

At our first committee meeting, we started laying the groundwork for an amazing presence at the Faire. Some of the highlights include:

Live demos of tools like our laser cutter and 3D printers
Interactive projects like an LED pong game, Plinko board, and leather stamping
Custom-made giveaways in exchange for donations
A slideshow of member projects and promotional materials
Fundraising opportunities to support the space
And yes, someone joked about training a dog to run a 3D printer (we’re only mostly sure that was a joke)

We’re aiming to show off what makes our makerspace special, connect with new folks, and inspire future makers. Whether you're a longtime member or brand new to the community, this is a great way to get involved.

Want to Help?

We’re looking for volunteers to help with:

Setup and teardown
Staffing the booth
Building project demos
Creating signage and materials
Spreading the word online and at the Faire

Next Committee Meeting

Our next planning meeting is Sunday, September 7th at 5:00 PM, just before the public monthly meeting.

Location: Waukesha Makerspace
Time: 5:00 PM
View meeting details and RSVP here

If you'd like to help—or even if you're just curious—please join us! No prior experience required, just bring your energy, ideas, and enthusiasm.

Let’s make this our best showing at Maker Faire yet!

July Updates from Waukesha Makerspace

Casey Kerr — Tue, 01 Jul 2025 15:27:57 GMT

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

Summer is officially here—and things are heating up at the Makerspace (literally and figuratively)! Here's what's new around the shop

Casey Kerr — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 16:50:13 GMT

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

Big Spring Updates at Waukesha Makerspace!

Casey Kerr — Wed, 04 Jun 2025 19:47:20 GMT

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:

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

Spring Cleaning Event This Weekend – Don’t Miss It!

Casey Kerr — Thu, 15 May 2025 22:15:07 GMT

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’ve Launched a Brand-New Website!

Fri, 18 Apr 2025 14:43:48 GMT

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.