Technocopia

Technocopia is maker space located in Worcester, MA.  We provide our members with workspace and access to a bunch of tools to work on whatever they can dream up!

Tool Training

Tool training classes are designed to teach safe and practical use of the tools we offer in our space. In order to use any of the tools listed in the descriptions below, a member must take a training class and be certified to use the tool. Visit our Tool Certification page to learn more about the onboarding process for experienced users.

Certain tools are available to youth! Please see our Family Use Policy for more info.

Click on a link below to find dates and register for an upcoming class. All non-member students must fill out this one-time registration form prior to attending. Please see our class cancellations and refund policies.

 

WOOD SHOP SERIES

Fee: $75 per WS class ($65 for Technocopia members)
Instructor: Jeff Voss, Rob Maxwell and Chad Davies
Visit the Eventbrite links below to register:

WS Tool Training 1: Radial arm saw, chop saw, band saw, project design and work-flow
WS Tool Training 2: Planer, jointer, and hand power tools
WS Tool Training 3: SawStop table saw
WS Tool Training 4: Drill press, sander and shaper/router table

The Wood Shop Series classes can be taken in any order.

Our space includes a complete wood shop for members to use for professional or personal projects. Each class in this series will teach how to safely and effectively use a specific group of tools accessible in the wood shop. Students will be instructed in operating and maintenance procedures, appropriate technique, and wood shop etiquette. Members must demonstrate safe use of these tools to be certified to use them in our space.

Experienced woodworkers may be eligible for certification in our Wood Shop. Certification is up to the shop instructor’s discretion. In order to qualify to take a certification class, you must send an email to info@technocopia.org.

 

Laser Cutter

Fee: $90 ($79 for Technocopia members)
Youth Ticket:
$45 (with one adult ticket)                                           
Instructor: Breanna Niebel
Visit our Eventbrite page to register

Laser cutters are used to produce precise cuts and engravings with several materials based on 2D vector and raster images. The machines are commonly used for anything from industrial manufacturing to small and intricate art projects. This class will teach how to operate Technocopia’s Full Spectrum laser cutter safely and effectively. Students will learn how to run cuts on the Full Spectrum using Inkscape and RetinaEngrave software, and learn how to properly prepare files and the laser itself to produce precise and beautiful cuts.

This tool is available for family use! Any youth between the ages of 12-17 may take this class with a participating adult. For our student registration form and for class policies, please visit: http://technocopia.org/tool-training/. 

 
IMG_3945 (1).JPG

3D Printing

Fee: $75 ($65 for Technocopia members)
Youth Ticket:
$37.50 (with one adult ticket)     
Instructor: Joe Bieniecki
Visit our Eventbrite to Register

 3D printing technology allows us to turn digital 3D models into physical objects. Our Lulzbot Taz6 printers are user friendly machines capable of printing objects within its 11"x11"x9.8" build limit. Our members have used our printer to create everything from artistic models to mechanical parts. This class will cover how to take a 3d model of your own design or downloaded from the internet and make a physical part from it. We will take a model and learn to use slicing software to create a printer ready file. We will then use the printer to produce the part. Each step in the process will be shown and any special considerations of particular parts will be discussed.

This class is intended for those with little to no experience in 3d printing. If you wish to attend this class but cannot make the scheduled times, please contact the instructor at joe.bieniecki@technocopia.org to arrange another day and time that works for you.

We also have a smaller legacy Flashforge Creator printer available. The Flashforge requires an additional certification by appointment only. Contact info@technocopia.org for more info.

 
30167386_1924068927664764_1692212936758298048_o.jpg

Vinyl Cutter

Fee: $75 ($65 for Technocopia members)
Youth Ticket:
$37.50 (with one adult ticket)     
Instructor: Breanna Niebel
Visit our Eventbrite page to register

Vinyl can be used in many applications such as: t-shirts, screen printing, stencils, and personalized stickers. In this 2 hour class students will learn how to create a custom vinyl sticker from start to finish. Using Inkscape software students will learn the design and formatting portion of sticker making. The hands on portion of the class will include utilizing the vinyl cutter to cut the sticker, learning how to weed the excess vinyl using specialized tools, and applying transfer tape to transfer the sticker onto their chosen surface. Computers and a small assortment of vinyl will be included in the class.

This tool is available for family use! Youth between the ages of 12-17 may take this class with a participating adult. For our student registration form and for class policies, please visit: http://technocopia.org/tool-training/. 

 

ShopBot CNC Router

Fee: $172 ($150 for Technocopia members)
Instructor: Peter McKone
Visit our Eventbrite page to register

This 2 session class will introduce students to using the ShopBot CNC (computer numerical control) router. Using a 4'x8' bed, the ShopBot is capable of machining, cutting, and carving a large variety of materials using 2D or 3D files. This class will cover setting up the machine, basics of tooling, creating tool paths from 2D vector files, and the basics of CNC milling workflow. A basic understanding of 2D vector design is strongly recommended for anyone taking the class.

 

Wood turning

Fee: $75 ($65 for Technocopia members)
Instructors: Chad Davies (Turning 1) Mark Durrenberger (Turning 2)
Visit our Eventbrite page to register:

Wood Turning 1

Wood Turning 2

This training session will teach students how to safely operate and understand the mechanics of the wood lathe. Accessories and tools associated with the lathe will be introduced and wood mounting options and project ideas will be demonstrated and discussed.Students will receive direct hands-on learning time with the lathe turning wood. This training is a prerequisite for future lathe specific classes or workshops.

 
Molly_NewWorkNewArtists_WCC_2016.jpg

GLASS FLAMEWORKING

Fee: $120 ($100 for Technocopia members)
Youth Ticket:
$75 (with one adult ticket)     
Instructor: Molly Jackson
Visit our Eventbrite to Register:
Glass Shop Tool Training
Flameworking is an old-world technique that sculpts glass using gravity and the flame of a bench torch. What to expect in this three-hour Tool Training: students will receive an introduction to tools, materials, safety training and shop etiquette. Instructional demonstration and supervised hands-on torch time will teach fundamental techniques of manipulating borosilicate (hard) glass. Closed-toe shoes and natural fiber clothing are required.

This tool is available for family use! Any youth between the ages of 12-17 may take this class with a participating adult (adults must also purchase a ticket). For our student registration form and our family use policies please visit: www.technocopia.org/family-use-policy

Experienced flameworkers looking to use our Glass Shop as a member, and others seeking one to one sessions, please contact Molly Jackson.

 
SewingMachineProject1.jpeg

sewing Machine 101

Fee: $75 ($65 for Technocopia Members)
Instructor:
Jessica Sadlier
Visit our Eventbrite page to register

This class is for people with little to no sewing machine experience. Students will learn the parts of a sewing machine, how to thread, operate and maintain machine, and how to use the tools available in the sewing area of the textile studio at Technocopia. The students will learn on a Singer Heavy Duty 4423 machine the following: power on/off, pedal attachment, backstitch button, handwheel operation, winding bobbins, loading bobbins, threading machine, changing needles, safe cutting with rotary mats and rulers, simple maintenance of machines, stitch and tension adjustments, and shop standards of cleanliness and organization.

The practice project for this class will be the creation of a small credit or business card wallet. A small selection of free fabric is available to students for this project, but students are also welcome to bring in their own piece of quilters cotton (¼ of yard will be plenty) if they prefer.

Successful completion of this class will result in certification of Technocopia members to use the sewing machines in the textile studio. For members with more advanced sewing experience, contact jessica.sadlier@technocopia.org to discuss a more appropriate certification process.

 
SergerProject3.jpeg

serger 101

Fee: $75 ($65 for Technocopia Members)
Instructor: Jessica Sadlier
Visit our Eventbrite page to register

A serger is a machine that uses up to four threads to sew a seam, cut off the raw edges, and finish the edges in a neat stitch pattern all at the same time. This class is for people with little to no serger experience. Students will learn the parts of a serger and how to thread, operate, and maintain the serger machine.

The practice project for this class will be the creation of a tool roll up pouch. A small selection of free fabric is available to students for this project, but students are also welcome to bring in their own piece (1/2 yd) of heavy, stiff fabric (such as home decor fabric, duck canvas, or a heavy cotton) if they prefer.

Successful completion of this class will result in certification of Technocopia members to use the serger machine in the textile studio. For members with more advanced serging experience, contact jessica.sadlier@technocopia.org to discuss an alternative certification process.

 
LeatherHandTools.jpg
 
 
 
 
 

leather Tools

Fee: $92 ($80 for Technocopia Members)
Instructor: Jessica Sadlier
Visit our Eventbrite page to register

An introduction to all the leather working tools available in the Textile Studio at Technocopia.

In this basic leather working class, students will learn the basics of leather as a medium. Students will learn about working with traditional hand tools and a variety of techniques including embossing, using a pattern, cutting, marking stitch lines, and hand stitching. The topics covered in this class can be applied to any leather project.

This class will also teach you how to use our Tippmann Boss Leather Stitcher and Hand Press to make a variety of leather projects in our new textiles studio. Each student will learn how to wind a bobbin, thread, and operate the Tippmann Boss, as well as learning the basics at using the hand press to install snaps, rivets, and more. These tools can be used to make many interesting leather projects including wallets, cuff bracelets, knife sheaths, and more. Each student will practice their new skills by making a small project that will include some stitching(hand and machine), a snap or rivet, and embossing.

No experience is needed for this class, and successful completion of this class will result in certification of Technocopia members to use the Leather working tools (incl. Tippmann Boss and tabletop presses) in the textile studio. For non-members, this makes students eligible to participate in upcoming project based classes, and for members, this results in free use of the machines during their membership hours.

For members with more advanced experience, contact jessica.sadlier@technocopia.org to discuss a more appropriate certification process.

 
The embroidery machine at Technocopia

Embroidery Machine

Fee: $120 ($100 for Technocopia Members)
Instructor: Jessica Sadlier
Visit our Eventbrite page to register

This class is for people new to machine embroidery. The goal of this class is to gain familiarity with the studio's Brother Innovis NQ1600E machine and learn the skills necessary to use it independently. Students will learn the parts of the embroidery machine, how to thread, operate and maintain the machine, and how to properly set up the fabric in the hoop using appropriate stabilizer(s). We will also go over the basics of the embroidery software available on the Textile Studio computer and how to transfer machine embroidery files to the machine for stitchout.

 
The Media Cabinet at Technocopia

Media (Sand) Blasting

Fee: $46 ($40 for Technocopia Members)
Instructor: Joe Bieniecki
Visit our Eventbrite page to register

Media blasting, or "sandblasting". This 1 hour course will teach you how to use our media blast cabinet safely and efficiently.

COURSE SEGMENTS:

  • Safety precautions

  • Material preparation

  • Media types and selection

  • Changing media (collection and loading)

  • Air compressor operation

  • Dust collection operation and maintenance

  • Nozzle inspection and use

  • Shop protocols and policies

If you wish to schedule a time outside of the current registration window please contact the instructor at joe.bieniecki@technocopia.org. Instructor availability is 24/7 , so we can accommodate any timeslot request.

Technocopia 
44 Portland Street 6th Floor
Worcester MA, 01608
Ph. 774.420.2244

Donate