This page is for the membership to track pledges and status for current group buys. Tools purchased through a group buy belong to the Makerspace and are not property of the contributing members. In the event that a group buy is not completed, amounts contributed may be repurposed by the Makerspace for mission-related purposes.

Please note: Some links below go to the old Google Group that Google deleted. You can visit the new Google Group and search the archives for a copy of the original message.

• Cash to champion of the group buy
• Cash/check in dues box. Add a note with the title of the group buy, the champion, your name, and the date.
• Wild Apricot contribution to the area running the group buy (please add 3% to cover the fees charged).
• Makerspace's PayPal Giving account (no fees with this method - add a note with the title of the group buy and the champion)
• After you make your contribution, update the list below with your name and the amount paid.

Champion: Anna K 11/15/2024

The #1 priority is: Getting new rails and a new carrier for left shark. It is time. This will cost us $1800 for just the X-rail kit (the main problem) and the carrier. This would fix about 95% of the issues with left shark.

2) We want to purchase the X-tool F1 Ultra as a fiber/diode combo. We would be purchasing this with the rotary tool, but *not* with the conveyor. This would be $3941 before tax and shipping. This tool can cut *through* thin-gauge metals, it can anneal, it can also do deep embossing of metals. This means it is ideal for jewelry, making leather stamps, etc. We don't want the conveyor because a) it encourages mass production, and b) it requires the box to be open, which will kill somebody's eyes. You asked for a fiber laser, we listened.

3) We might be purchasing Tom Gondek's red and black laser. It still requires some testing. Mailing list thread

Startup cost goal: About $7,000

Champion: Kathy L 5/29/2024

To start this area, we must have a kiln. The ceramics area kilns will not work for our purposes. Before the board invests in a kiln, it is requiring members to contribute half the cost of its purchase. The board will then match member-donated funds. So I am asking members to pledge funds toward a “group buy” for a glass fusion kiln.Mailing list thread

Startup cost goal: $3,000

Champion: Bryan F 3/25/2024

There has been periodic interest in having pick and place equipment here at the space, so today I am announcing a group buy for desk top pick and place machine. Mailing list thread

One machine option: Lumen PnP Feeders

Another option: AFARCO IRON PNP

Estimated cost: $2,000 - $4,000

Champion: Rick M 2/23/2024

We are looking to replace the Craftsman and Powermatic lathes with a Jet 1840EVS Mailing list thread Estimated Cost: $3,060

Champion: Jeff Mann

A new “test” kiln for the ceramics studio https://skutt.com/products-page/ceramic-kilns/km-818/#specs

Total Cost 2450$

Champion: Tim Campbell

A New Massive 3D Printer. Its awesome. https://www.prusa3d.com/product/original-prusa-xl-2/

Total Cost $3500

Champion: Rick M 11/1/2023

We have a chance to get a 18“ Jet bandsaw for $1500 (3HP model) that could replace one of the two (probably the powermatic) bandsaws that keep failing at Norwich. Details on the members@milwaukeemakerspace.org mailing list.

Total Cost $1500

—

Champion: Rick Pretsch

Good evening all,

Your woodshop champions and trainers have thought a lot about how best to make Norwich a premier woodworking facility. After evaluating numerous options, the decision was made to buy a new planer for Norwich. Previously, we had discussed buying and refurbishing an older machine. The cost in time and money to pursue this path did not provide any great advantage. With all of the other projects we are faced with, the decision was made to buy the Grizzly 20” planer listed below.

https://www.grizzly.com/products/grizzly-20-5-hp-helical-cutterhead-planer/g1033x

The approximate cost will be $3,100. The woodshop fund is currently at $0.00 and we have a lot of expenses looming in the next few months. Any donations large or small are greatly appreciated.

A high quality planer will go a long way in giving us the capability we want and need.

Thanks in advance for your support.

Champion: Markus S.

The machine has had its control cabinet stolen so It is essentially only the mechanics of the machine. This means it will need new motors or servo drives and a controller etc.

About the machine: It is a Thermwood 5-axis 5 foot by 10 foot CNC router. And is built solid like very few other machines. It is a fixed gantry style. Meaning the table moves in one direction. Which makes it even more rugged and makes maintenance and installing motors etc easy. The main downside is that it makes for a very large machine. During operation, it will need 8.5 feet by 20 feet of space. It has about 3 foot of Z travel so it can make pretty tall things as well. It is rigid enough that machining aluminum will be possible. image.png The Plan: Buy the cnc router along with a second that is part of the deal for $2000. Harrison will move it for us to Norwhich. He will be looking at the machines later this week and give us a firm quote. For now his best guess was 1000 but let's plan for $2000. Then I will install Teknic clearpath servo motors. They are much easier to use and tune than other servo motors. The controller is integrated with the motor, and they get hooked up to power and get controlled with step and direction like a stepper motor. Just with a lot more precision, speed and power. These are the same type of servo motor that I recently installed in Tom Gondek“s CNC router.

We would use uccnc as the software platform. It is much better than mach3 but still very easy to use. The controller and break out board can also run mach3 and mach4 if we wanted to.

Initially I would only install 3 axis operation and lock down the 4th and 5th axis. When we want to buy the extra two motors we can then use all 5 axis. With the 3 feet of z travel we can also set it up with a wood turning lathe to operate as a cnc lathe for wood turning.

The machine already comes with two vfds and a 7hp German made spindle motor. (costs about 3-5 grand new)

The total cost of the project would be $7570, maybe less depending on Harrison. Keep in mind that these machines cost more than $100 000 dollars new.

To add the 4th and 5th axis and other optional items later on it will cost an additional $3000-$4000

In addition, we would be getting a second 5 axis cnc router that is very similar but has two 5 foot by 5 foot tables. It can be taken apart for parts or turned in to a second working machine etc.

We acquired a 20” Rockwell bandsaw for $500. We are asking members to toss in a few extra bucks to the wood shop fund to defray the cost. Our goal is to raise $250 toward this purchase.

This saw will be equipped with a wide blade capable of handling larger wood pieces. The idea is to have this saw setup for making straight cuts on larger pieces of material while the current band saw will be outfitted with a narrower blade for making radius cuts. Both machines will have appropriate limitations posted on the front cover. The current bandsaw breaks blades quite often because users are trying to cut large pieces on a narrow blade or radius cuts on a wide blade, both cases overstressing the blade. Our hope is having two machines to fit both needs will meet everyone's needs.

The forge area doesn't quite have the money to comfortably buy this but the price it's being offered to Dan and I is too intriguing to not see what the membership thinks.

it's a Johnson gas appliance forge No. 133. It's not in perfect condition. The Fire brick would need some work but the blower and burner should be in good condition and we have plenty of refractory and or bricks. https://www.johnsongas.com/forge-furnaces/

This is a large trench style forge very useful for long skinny projects. The most likely project I could see would be blades. Which I know everyone wants to do but not many realize how difficult of a skill it is to learn and do properly. I attached some pictures of other units. I didn't get a picture of the one being offered to us hopefully Dan J has one and he can post it. They are not common tools in fact the form factor is rather strange, I've attached a video of the smaller version. This is the only video of one I could find in operation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAWFTSaK7F4&ab_channel=k15n1

Total Cost $250 for forge + $unknown repair parts

Get a Geka Minicrop for the forge area Cost: $2000

https://annularcutterbitsharpening.com/shop/ironworkers/geka-ironworker-ironworkers/geka-minicrop-50-ton-ironworker/ http://www.geka-ironworkers.com/geka-ironworkers-es/de/one-cylinder-detailed-information

A used uArm Swift Pro with the following items: Base Board Extension, Seeed Grove Extension, Mounting Block for Seeed Grove and OpenMV, Open MV Kit, Universal Holder, 3D Printer Kit (with approx. 30g of filament included), 4th Axis with Suction Cup, Gripper, Laser Kit (laser safety glasses included) - Total needed is $520.00 - Completed on 2019-03-05

Get a new 4th axis for the Tormach

34123 - 6“ Super Spacer Motorized Rotary Table

Cost: $1800

https://www.tormach.com/store/index.php?app=ecom&ns=prodshow&ref=34123

Google Group Discussion: https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/membersonly-milwaukeemakerspace/AgNgAG7pKA4 (The above discussion thread is on the members only msg board, you need to be logged in to view it.)

Donations:

Get new Grizzley 8” spiral head jointer

Grizzley G0490X

Cost: $1525.00 shipped

http://www.grizzly.com/products/8-Jointer-with-Parallelogram-Beds-and-Spiral-Cutterhead/G0490X Google Group Discussion: https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/milwaukeemakerspace/1HLX1wbiuGM

Donations:

Get a second lathe for the metal shop that has a larger capacity and more power. People would need to be signed off and make a couple projects on the smaller existing Southbend lathe.

Supplies on their way, 2“ dies already in the cabinet in Craft Lab
New dies will work with existing button maker

Get new Kiln Skutt KM1227-3PK

Cost: $4406

https://skutt.com/products-page/ceramic-kilns/km-1227pk/

Google Group Discussion: https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/milwaukeemakerspace/RU83b0yee8M

Get a 48” Pan and Box Brake for the forge area Cost: $2144

http://www.grizzly.com/products/48-Pan-Box-Brake-12-Gauge/G0542

Lets make stuff from plastic, add your pledge below…. We can make molds using the Tormach!!!

This is on an auction site no guarantees here. Note: I'v kept the naming of the machine vague here so outside prospective bidders don't stumble across it while researching it. Please do not post the make, model, or location of the machine until the auction concludes Dec 19 in the evening.

It was determined that a fire had started in a bank of battery chargers. The fire spread to the entire stand of batteries and chargers. One school employee was taken to the hospital due to smoke inhalation suffered while using a fire extinguisher. The fire was contained to the robotics laboratory. Damage is estimated at $45,000 to $50,000. Fox6 article

Let's see if we can help get the school's Robotics Lab up and running again.

• Bill^2 - $25 PAID
• Keith - $25 PAID
• Kent - $25 PAID
• Brant - $25 PAID
• The Handsomest Landscaper - $5 PAID
• Lance - $20 PAID

Total: $125 - DELIVERED!

• Google group post: https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/membersonly-milwaukeemakerspace/2XR6K1AZclQ
• $140 parts, $20 shipping

• 1/6 HP, 115v motor (purchased and installed!)

• Felisha $35
• Brant $15
• Dillan L. $25
• Jack S. $20
• Harvey $10

• Joseph R. $20
• Vishal $25
• Asim A. $20
• DL $20

The Milwaukee Makerspace Racing Team is buying some battery packs salvaged from a Leaf electric car. They will be used for a new vehicle for the Power Racing Series.

• Vishal: $20

• Wild Apricot: $181
• From last purchase: $33
• Pete: $10 - PAID
• Kathy: $15 - PAID

Total: $249

See Aluminum Anodizing Station page!

The South Bend lathe would be much more useful if it had a digital read out, a digital readout(DRO) measures the actual movement of the axis and then displays the information on a screen. The Bridgeport mill along with the Gorton mill already have DROs. Using DROs account for backlash and generally make it easier for beginners and advanced users to make accurate parts.

• http://www.yuriystoys.com/p/android-dro.html
• Tom Gralewicz proposed
• Tablet: $130
• Scales: ???

• http://www.ebay.com/itm/291570901022
• Steve Pilon proposed
• $270 shipped

• Referenced from Markus's comment on MMS msg board
• Markus Schneider Proposed
• $500-$600 Glass scales (1-3 year warranty)
• $1000 Magnetic (6 year warranty)

• Steve Pilon: $45 Paid
• Markus: $300-$400
• Tom Gralewicz: $50
• Larry Andersen: $100 Paid
• James Tiederman: $40
• Tony W. :$100 Paid

We are purchasing a Tormach 770 Vertical Milling Center with automatic tool changer. It is currently being used as a demo machine in their lobby. Until we pick it up we're unsure what options will be included.

http://www.tormach.com/product_pcnc_770.html?gclid=CPrVmpfUoM0CFdcYgQode9wPzQ

Buy a selection of components to refurbish the 60 watt laser cutter: - Bearings - Rubber “wheels”

Google Group Post: https://groups.google.com/d/msg/membersonly-milwaukeemakerspace/MgFw7rqnPCY/qJE51RupgWUJ

More Information: <insert link>

Items ordered 10/13

• Shane T.: $25 Paid
• Felisha: $25 Paid
• Brant: $25 Paid
• Adrian: $25 Paid
• Scott S.: $25
• Kevin K.: $5
• Rich P.(Minion): $25
• Lance L.: $20 Paid
• Katherine L.: $20
• Andrew K.: $20 Paid
• Richard B.: $15
• Karyn: $30 Paid
• Keith M.: $50 - paid - check 10/14/14
• Bill Murray $50 Paid

Buy a brick with the Makerspace Logo at the Tesla Museum.

Google Group Post: https://groups.google.com/d/msg/milwaukeemakerspace/5yAG44dExcI/fvlN73sH7boJ

More Information: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/buy-a-brick-for-the-nikola-tesla-museum

• Brant: $25 - paid
• HaveBlue: $25 - paid
• bob.trocke: $25 - paid
• Vishal: $25 - paid
• Joe Rodriguez: $25 - paid
• Bill*2: $25 - paid
• Lance L.: $25 - paid
• Keith: $25 - paid
• Shane: $25 - paid
• Tom Gralewicz $25 - paid
• David Buggs $25
• Dan Jonke $25
• Dennis Draheim $25

Buy a plastic bending machine for bending acrylic and other plastics

Google Group Post: https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/membersonly-milwaukeemakerspace/z9NEl1RIRqE

More Information: https://www.inventables.com/technologies/plastic-bending-machine

• Vishal Rana: $25 - Paid
• Brant Holeman: $20
• Ellen Fulton: $20 - Paid
• Adrian Volden: $10 - Paid
• Isaac Salapat: $10 - Paid
• Tami Weiss: $25 - Paid
• DL Swanson: $20
• Karen Pauli: $10
• Lance Lamont: $20 - Paid
• Cobie Howard: $15 - Paid

Buy a Cartesian Co. Circuit Printer

Google Group Post: https://groups.google.com/d/msg/membersonly-milwaukeemakerspace/HFOEWwi0gpw/ULNrWApEhyYJ

More Information: http://www.cartesianco.com/

• Adam Cohen: $50 Paid
• Tom Gralewicz: $200 Paid
• Larry Andersen: $50 Paid
• Jakob Marasch:$50
• DL: $100 Paid
• Keith : $100 Paid
• David Buggs: $200 Paid
• Dennis Draheim: $200 Paid
• Vishal Rana: $150 Paid
• Royce: $200 Paid
• Jim Rawson: $130
• Pete: $10
• Rob Richards $50 Paid
• Digital Dentis $20 Paid