Need help building something for your aquarium? - Dallas Ft Worth Aquatic Plant Club DFWAPC

MacFan · 07-01-2009, 09:03 AM

For those who have been to our loft, you know we have a significant portion of it devoted to a workshop. You may have also heard that we are in the planning stages of opening a real public-access workshop in the Dallas area. The eventual workshop will offer a wide array of wood and metal working equipment, plastic forming, welding, and sand blasting capabilities, and computer controlled embroidery, vinyl sign cutting, laser engraving and 3D printing/fabrication. It will operate on a gym-style membership model and have required safety classes for major equipment, as well as optional skill development classes and project classes available.

Before we get there however, we want to get some experience helping people with their projects, as well as take pictures for an online project library that will be part of our new business and serve as a means to inspire people.

Our present workshop can support mostly wood working, electronics and plumbing type projects. If you have a project you've been wanting to do and don't have the tools or skills, but do have the means to buy the materials you need, let me know and we'll be happy to help you. We're available weekend afternoons and evenings, and some weekday evenings.

If you're interested, let me know what it is you want to build and we'll see how we can make it happen. Ideally we can plan it out in advance so you can bring the materials with you, but we could also make a trip to the store together for materials.

Note: We can make exceptions, but we would prefer if you would be willing to have your project documented and listed in our project library (with appropriate attributions to you and/or your sources). This might include photos of you working on the project, but again, we can be flexible in whether they're identifiable pictures of you or not.

Michael

northtexasfossilguy · 07-01-2009, 12:22 PM

I've got two stands that I got off craigslist that need some serious work. One needs restaining, the other I reckon the sides are okay, the door is great, just the top and trim need to be replaced, and it needs to be either sanded and re-stained (more effort than I care for) or a good touch-up job. The bottom might be replaced as well.

I need to use a table saw, and a hammer and nails ought to do the rest, unless you have a brad gun for the trim. What do you think you will charge for that? It's more like a tool rental business I guess.

Also, just a thought, but some people might be more inclined to break your blades and things like that if you have that gym-type thing. That could get costly. Plus, I'm wondering about the liability if some idiot cuts off his or her arm, finger, friends finger, etc. Aside from the obvious legal issues, it sounds like a great idea, and I would definitely pay a little bit for that, considering the cost of tools. I guess they would need mandatory safety training and would be kicked out for playing around, much like high school shop class, eh?

MacFan · 07-01-2009, 01:06 PM

Yea, this isn't tool rental, it's bring your stuff over and work on it sort of thing. Once we have the shop going, we might consider equipment loans for special tools. For the stuff we do in our loft, it's no charge, just bring your own materials. I have an electric brad nailer but it doesn't work very well. But we're probably buying a compressor soon for the laser engraver we're getting in advance of the shop opening, and once we have a compressor, we may as well get some pneumatic nailers to go with it.

There are a couple shops like this already (Sawdust Shop, Techshop) and lots of clubs that run non profit locations. There will be a legal disclaimer. For any tools that can hurt you or you can hurt the tool, there is a mandatory safety class you have to pass. If all goes according to plan, you'll need to scan your ID card at each machine before powering on so we will know whether you've passed the class or not. Hand tools will probably be checked out and returned so we can ensure pieces aren't lost. We will obviously have insurance as well.

We haven't learned how to do a financial model yet, so we don't know what we will need to charge here, but it won't be hourly, the idea is that it's a monthly or yearly subscription, but a day option will be available so you can try it out.

Michael

alta678 · 07-01-2009, 06:58 PM

This is really exciting to me! I would love to come and repair/build some aquarium stands!

MacFan · 07-01-2009, 10:36 PM

What kind of stand do you want to build?

alta678 · 07-03-2009, 07:25 AM

I have a rimless 90 that needs a stand, a 30 stand in sad need of shoring up or scrapping and a stand for a 45 breeder. Now I just need money for supplies!

Tex Gal · 07-09-2009, 07:31 PM

I think this is a great idea. Good luck on your new venture. I bet Tex Guy will be by sometime or other....

MacFan · 07-09-2009, 09:23 PM

northtexasfossilguy came by last weekend and refinished an old hex stand with a new top and side trim. Any other takers?

Michael

Travis.808 · 07-10-2009, 01:39 AM

I'm jealous we need one here shoot, there should be one everywhere.

northtexasfossilguy · 07-10-2009, 05:41 PM

Yup, here are photos:

By ntfguy, shot with G'zOne Boulder at 2009-07-10
Michael cutting trim.

By ntfguy, shot with G'zOne Boulder at 2009-07-10
A nicely fit joint, some of them weren't this perfect but that's why they make wood putty!

He has a great setup and all the tools you need. Plus his roommate has AMAZING cooking. He absolutely read my mind (er stomach?) about wanting something with blueberries in it.

A funny thing about that tank stand; I actually bought the tank from a guy in the same building off Craigslist. I think he was on the same floor or the one just below that one. Small world, eh?