News Article

Non-Profit serves community by providing woodworkers a class and space to create

By: Cody Bland

Aug. 2^nd, instructor Mark Salas of Dallas Makerspace gave a woodworking class to makers in the Dallas community.

Instructor Mark Salas guides student
Ali Fiaz how to safely use the
Powermatic Jointer

Every Tuesday and Thursday at 12:00 p.m. Dallas Makerspace puts on an instructed woodshop basics class for members that are interested in using the equipment provided for woodworking. According to instructor Mark Salas, “there is over $500,000 worth of equipment that is available for use that has been either donated to, or invested in, by Dallas Makerspace”. The Woodshop 101 class takes students through a series of different techniques of woodworking. Students take a standard 2x4 and shape it down to a fully square piece of wood that would be fit for a fine woodworking project. The goal at the end of the class is to learn safety in using all the machinery and to have every student produce an identical piece of fine cut lumber.

Salas explains how to safely use
the Bosch sliding miter saw

Dallas Makerspace is built on memberships, donations, and fundraisers provided by makers in the Dallas community. Salas explained, “The goal of Dallas Makerspace is to create, educate, and inspire.” The non-profit provides a place for metalworkers, woodworkers, hobbyists, electronic gurus, and beginner makers a place to learn and build whatever their mind can create. There is everything anyone would need provided under one roof.

When asked why he joined Dallas Makerspace, beginner maker Ali Fiaz said, “I had wood projects in mind, cutting boards, etc. I have never taken a woodshop (class) before and wanted to create a benchmark in my life. I want to start making things.”

Dallas Makerspace Woodshop

The consensus of the members is that the Dallas Makerspace provides tools, equipment, and education of materials that they do not have the space for, or do not have the financial ability to produce. At $50 a month anyone can join and begin working on any project that their heart desires. Dallas Makerspace is truly serving the community of makers, and is a beginner woodworkers dream.