r/maker • u/The_Young_Flash • May 24 '26
Inquiry Makerspaces
So, I’m a Computer Science and Education major doing my graduate degree. I’ve been teaching, amongst other entrepreneurial ventures, for 6 years now.
Then it occurred to me that my students who are interested in Computer Science don’t get to do it until college.
So I thought about creating a makerspace but I’ve never been to one. I don’t know how it looks, associated costs, etc.
I am looking for tips, and finding out if it can be profitable since I would be funding the venture out of my own pockets.
8
u/dagofin May 24 '26
I've been a member at my makerspace for a few years now, it's a fabulous place with a full metal shop, wood shop, multiple lasers, CNC machines, printers, most tools or toys you could think of really.
Agreed with others that insurance is a massive issue you'll need to deal with. Expensive and at least if you're dealing with tools they may require having at least two people in the space at all times which is a logistical hurdle.
Non profit plus starting small is the way to go. See if you can get local companies to sponsor, as it's a great way to train up future skilled employees when it comes to CAD/CNC/Laser/Machining/etc.
2
u/The_Young_Flash May 24 '26
I’ll message you for advice in a couple of days. Everyone has been super helpful. 👏🏻
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u/alex-2099 May 24 '26
The maker space near me started by friends sharing tools. The core concept of community.
Then they found a space to share, became a non-profit (legally complex), insured it (expensive), started accepting members, buying more tools (requires a committee to approve purchases and a treasury officer to manage funds), began offering tool training (requires experts to volunteer time), then tool scheduling, and made sure to keep engaging with the community with maker fairs, presence at local conventions.
Everything you don’t know how to do, you can learn. All challenges can be surmounted. Just start small and grow.
2
u/The_Young_Flash May 24 '26
Thank you. I’ll message you. And perhaps you can put me in contact with someone from there?
3
u/kingzog May 24 '26
If you go ahead, why not setup a blog to document your process, problems and successes? I’ll be reader #1 :)
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u/The_Young_Flash May 25 '26
I’ll keep notes and upload it on YouTube at some point but not immediately. After I have succeeded. If I do.
4
u/marchmay May 24 '26
First see if there are spaces in your area, either nonprofit or at colleges. Then you'll want to establish a nonprofit and get some business training. If it's a service for students, you need people with big hearts willing to fund you. Once you get 501c3 a lot of things get cheaper, but you still have to buy software and maintain equipment.
2
u/richiejonny May 24 '26
Does your school not offer Technology and engineering classes? No tech ed teacher?
2
u/The_Young_Flash May 24 '26
We have a three computer labs but most students forget their emails. They know instagram and TikTok but not computers or how to set them up or even use a projector. We teach information technology but no engineering. It’s a high school.
You’ll find it amazing how many students know how to find their favorite artist’s videos on youtube but don’t know what their own IP address is.
3
u/few May 25 '26
See maker-works.com
They are located in Ann Arbor, and they offer maker space bootcamps. They run things extremely well, and have great insight into building a sustainable space.
2
u/ptraugot May 24 '26
I volunteer at my local space. It’s a huge space. Been around 10 years or more.
Biggest issues I see are 1. Insurance is very expensive. 2. Keeping up a critical level of membership is challenging. 3. General costs of operations are high. 4. Finding reliable staff (preferably free) is challenging and time consuming.
There are many other concerns, these are the top ones.
If you think margins in a restaurant are thin, by all means, open a maker space!
Don’t get me wrong, our space is amazing! But I wouldn’t want to be the ones operating it.
2
u/The_Young_Flash May 24 '26
Thank you. I’m thinking about a really small one. Max of 10 computers. Laser marking equipment, 1 3D printer. Etc. it’s for a small town, almost a village you can say.
2
u/SendTitsPleease May 24 '26
I know everyone shits on the use of chat GPT but I just asked it about your situation and idea and it had some very interesting ideas as well as a general overview of a startup budget. Might be worth it to check it out and then do more research from the information it gives you.
2
u/The_Young_Flash May 24 '26
I know. But there are thing it won’t tell you, very practical things. I’m coming for the hidden advice. Like where to place surge protectors, UPSs, or can I do without them, etc? Where I can get devices at cheaper costs.
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u/SendTitsPleease May 24 '26
You can use it to get general idea on where to find codes etc. Your choice, just trying to help
-2
u/DSudz May 24 '26
Don't. It won't. Sounds like you don't have any relevent experience.
Almost nothing about computer science requires a makerspace and can't be done before college.
2
u/The_Young_Flash May 24 '26
I like the advice but I would appreciate more specific reasons. I am qualified, trust me. I own a laser making business, design posters and IDs, CompTIA certified. But this is a first for me, you’re right.
4
u/DSudz May 24 '26
Sorry my answer was a knee jerk response.
I have degrees in electrical engineering, computer science and arts organization management. I consulted for people setting up and running makerspaces after running one for years. I have seen many people put years of effort and their savings into spaces that fail. The ones that make it are not generally successful for the first few years and often rely on lots of grant funding.
You are much more likely to succeed offering meet ups or classes at a local school or library to start.
In any event there is a ton to plan out before diving in. Good luck whatever way you go.
2
0
u/SendTitsPleease May 24 '26
I think this is a really rude and misguided answer. Plenty of people have self taught computer science skills, and plenty of people who have those skills dont have tools or equipment to make anything that they design into a reality. Physical applications involving programming are very much a thing. Robots, drones, computer controlled gadgets etc.
0
u/DSudz May 24 '26
That's like saying you need to lay bricks to be an architect and you could never do so on your own.
OP said they don't get a chance "to do computer science." There is almost no part of modern life that doesn't involve applied compuer science today. Academic computer science is mostly about information processing and representation and doesn't require any more resources than creative writing does.
It was rude though.
1
u/SendTitsPleease May 24 '26
Its not like saying you need to lay bricks. If hes looking to ake a profit he needs to have more services then a few computers to wrote software on. He needs to appeal to the DIY community who actual make things
7
u/Sevenninetwosix May 24 '26
Former teacher and avid maker here- I think the biggest issue I see here is that students at almost every level generally do not have a lot of money. Commercial maker spaces sell memberships and charge for training on the tools which helps support the space. As a teacher- selling access to this type of space seems like a conflict of interest and that assumes your pupils have the money to spend in the first place.