Note that the 4225 number, which was a Google Voice number is no longer available. Please use the (828) 212-0930 until further notice.
All posts by gms
Intro to 3D Printing Class – Nov 17 …
FCW will be offering an Introduction to 3D Printing class/workshop on Thursday, November 17 from 6-9PM. Topics include: types of 3d printers, sources for models, operation of the printers, possible problems, using the slicer software, and things to look for or avoid when purchasing a 3d printer.
FCW has 10 3d printer workstations so the attendance is limited to 10 (unless willing to share a printer). Additional dates will be scheduled handle any overflow.
To reserve a spot, send email to classes@foothillscommunityworkshop.org with contact info, number of persons attending and if your group is willing to share printers.
Location is at FCW: 141 N. Main St., Granite Falls, NC. Parking is at the rear of the building and is accessible from Summit St.
This Class is Free and Open to the Public.
Project Focus: Strip Canoe
Like many other organizations, FCW scaled back operations during the Covid pandemic. Classes and meetings were paused, but the space was still available for members to work on projects.
One of our members, Colin M., used the time to build a 17 ft. strip canoe. Colin is a recent graduate in Mechanical Engineering and works as a designer for a local furniture company. He is also good at machining, welding, and is our CNC router guru.
Using plans that were purchased, Colin set up a work area in our outbuilding and located the appropriate
wood. He used the CNC router initially to make a custom stand for the canoe. Using the FCW woodshop, the strips were cut and hand fitted into place, then glued. The shell was
assembled, sanded, covered with fiberglass, then finished. Colin then made seats and a pair of oars.
The initial trip was over Mother’s Day weekend, and except for a few scratches was successful. Colin sent a picture of the completed canoe to the seller of the plans and was sent a set of plans for a kayak for free — so the next project is starting.
10th Anniversary/Open House
August of 2021 marks the 10th year of existence of FCW and 4th year after the fire.
FCW will be having an OPEN HOUSE for 3 days to observe the dates.
The OPEN HOUSE Dates are as follows:
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- Friday, August 13 from 4-9PM
- Saturday, August 14 from 12 Noon -8PM
- Sunday, August 15 from 2-6PM
There will be food, activities, and tours of the space. Also, there will be demonstrations of 3d Printing, laser cutting, wood turning, Ham Radio, Electronics/robotics, Science and others.
Here are links to png and pdf versions of the poster. The poster is designed to be cut in two in order to make two half posters.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/19vZWThttocrh64JN_0qbgxW1MR6u8Jfm/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YD0vXTQSmvgXuorVq7c2z-WFMlF9Y2fk/view?usp=sharing
This event is free and open to the public.
Classes Continue
UPDATE: Classes continue for the Summer. Intro to Arduinos will continue on July 15 and August 5 and 19. Like Unix will be on July 22 and August 26 (Note no meeting on August 12).
NEW Class: Since July has 5 Thursdays, FCW will have an Intro to 3D printing session on July 29 from 6-9PM. This session will introduce 3d printing, using the printers, and sources of models. A future class will be on design. This class is free and open to the public.
Check the resources link for the specific class to see if any materials are needed for the virtual version.
We are using Google Meet for the virtual portions. The link information is below. Be sure to check back before the session to see if the link has changed.
To join the video meeting, click this link: https://meet.google.com/etm-
Otherwise, to join by phone, dial +1 315-752-6906 and enter this PIN: 120 378 332#
To view more phone numbers, click this link: https://tel.meet/etm-icwb-ind?
FCW is pleased to announce that classes/training/workshops will resume this month. We are starting off with an Intro to Arduinos class on Thursday, March 18. This will meet at 7PM for 2 hours on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month and will cover the hardware, programming, and applications of the Arduino microcontroller. A description is here. It is an “in person” class.
On the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month the Like Unix sessions will resume. It will meet at 7PM for 90 minutes and cover topics for Unix and unix like systems including Minux, Linux, BSD, IRIX, Solaris, AIX, and Mac-Os (shell). This will be an “in person” and virtual class,
We are still practicing social distancing so the limits are 10, for now. Both classes are free and open to the public. For more info contact info@foothillscommunityworkshop.org.
Plastic Injector
FCW was recently donated a vertical plastic injection molding
machine. The Gluco VS 25 will handle molds about 8×8 inches and several plastic and rubber materials. The machine is wired for 460V but can be reconfigured for 230V. Getting power to it will take some time since it is behind several other projects. After that, FCW should be able to make molds, then plastic parts.
Thanks to Brad, Oscar, and Colin M. for unloading the machine and getting it inside. It was taller than the door so had to be partially disassembled. It was working well when taken out of service and appears to be in good shape.
Parts is Parts is Parts ….
FCW has been fortunate to have been donated thousands of parts to the Electronics shop. Things start off with the Parts Wall,
containing parts donated by Hackerspace Charlotte, Dallas Makerspace and FCW members. There is a similar one in the Arts & Crafts area containing hardware and mechanical parts
That was later followed by a huge donation from UTC. Three cabinet carousels contain chips, transistors, connectors, relays, and numerous other parts, including a lot of Surface Mount components. These are still being sorted and it will take a while to complete.
UTC also donated an electronics parts cabinet with resistors, capacitors, relays and switches, and an electrical parts cabinet containing conduit fittings, boxes, breakers, outlets, plugs and sockets, and tools. All of these are available for projects, repair, and general learning.
Meetings Resume Sat. May 9
With the lifting of the NC stay at home order on May 8, FCW will resume physical meetings at 3PM on Saturday, May 9, with restrictions.
As suggested by the Nation of Makers group, there will be limits on the number of people in each area to allow social distancing, and there will be no loaning or sharing of PPE. Classroom activities will also be limited. Visitors are welcome to attend any time that someone is in the building. Regular meeting times are Saturdays 3-5PM and Tuesdays 7-9PM.
Physical Meetings Cancelled — Covid 19
In order to help prevent the spread of the Covid 19 virus. All Physical meetings of FCW are cancelled until further notice. This includes the regular Tuesday and Saturday meetings; the GDG and Like Unix groups; and any classes/workshops.
Members may still work on projects on an individual basis as long as social distancing is practiced.
Provisions are being made for Virtual meetings. Additional information will be forthcoming.
More Machine Shop
Here are two additional items donated by Corning. The first is a programmable Heat Treating Furnace. Along with the Hardness Tester, previously donated to the Science Area, this gives FCW a start on manipulating hardness of steel fabrications.
The second item is a RAM EDM. For those not familiar with 
Electrical Discharge Machining, this machine literally burns holes in metal using electrodes. It is possible to create blind holes of odd shapes, or even create threaded holes in stainless steel.
Both units need some cleaning and wiring. We have the materials, so it is just a matter of time (hopefully short) before they are on-line. Again, many thanks to Corning for the donation.