I don’t have any electronics or other hardware projects in mind, but lately I feel I want to go to a “maker space”, learn to use some interesting tools, and maybe meet some people. I don’t want to have a workshop of my own because I don’t feel settled down yet. So, possibly I could pay a small fee to use someone else’s workshop or rent a space. Sometimes they also have a class about some equipment or other.
I could teach about electronics but I’m not particularly looking for that.
I find a few places when I search online, but I’m looking for more recommendations, especially if there’s a place where they might speak English.
I can’t tell if I’m missing things because of language or if it’s just not as big of a thing here. The other thing I’ve heard is that people are much more connected–maybe they wouldn’t even think of paying a fee to use a place if they just have friends with a space.
I have seen a few churches setup clubs like that. The ones i saw were more oriented towards wood working and had shops. Maybe can try asking around there, even if only for some leads.
I’ve been to fablab a few times. It’s been awhile since I’ve gone though so maybe they closed or changed. They did have a laser cutter, 3d printer (SLA and FDM), cnc, tools for making electronics, a vacuuming forming machine. When I went they spoke English and taught you how to use the machines. You have to make reservations to use the machines, but they were free to use as long as you brought your own materials.
@Taiwan_Luthiers might have more recommendations or might rent his workshop.
If you want your own laser cutter, I have one I am going to sell soon.
I rent my shop for 650 per hour. If you got two or more people working at the same time, I will consider a discount though it may be difficult to have more than two people work at my shop due to lack of space… I guess fablab is a nonprofit so they can let you use the machine for free as long as you got your own materials (which meant they have funding from elsewhere).
I will say though having a laser cutter does involve some maintenance and if you are inexperienced with this DO NOT build one yourself, you are much better off buying those Chinese lasers and then upgrade/modify the machine based on your needs. There’s already enough that can go wrong with the thing out of the box without having to worry about the other things that can happen when you try to build your own machine.