Cold Call Pop-In To The FreeSide Atlanta Hackerspace

Freeside Atlanta

I was recently in Georgia for a for a non-HaD reason. This was my first trip to Georgia and it was hot, really hot, something I’m not too accustomed too. They also have nice condition roads there, something else I’m not accustomed too. I did have some free time while down there so I hopped on hackerspaces.org to see what was around. There were several spaces that were within driving distance but Freeside Atlanta was the only one that had an open event while I was available. That was the sole reason for my decision to stop in and I’m glad that happened because I had a great time.

Freeside AtlantaNot long after entering I was greeted by a member, my new pal [Steven], who turned out to be the president of the group. After a quick exchange of pleasantries [Steven] started showing me around. My first impression was that the place was inviting. It seemed pretty big and there was little clutter. There were plenty of tables for working on your project and shelves with parts and components. These spare parts were not piled all over the shelves but were in boxes labeled with what was inside. I liked this because it was neat, tidy and it would be easy to find exactly what you were looking for. I know from experience that keeping this level of organization is hard in a community workshop environment.

Freeside AtlantaGetting back to the tour, I was shown a separate dedicated classroom that holds 16 students, complete with dry erase boards. I passed a bunch of open work areas and tables as we continued into the space. A little further down there was a lounge area with couches and a huge projection screen next to the kitchen where I enjoyed some member-baked cookies. At that point I thought I had seen the entire space, but I was wrong, there was another door along what I thought was the back wall. That is the entrance to the shop area.

The front part of the space was pretty big, the shop was at least as large. I later found out that the entire place is about 5500 sqft. They have a pretty capable wood shop with work benches, a table saw, miter saw, planner, etc, not to mention plenty of hand and power tools. Moving a little further back there is a metal shop complete with mills, lathes and welders. There’s also a little CNC Router for cutting out parts. If this wasn’t enough so far, there’s a CO2 laser cutter, which was my favorite part of the tour….

Freeside Atlanta

The laser cutter was the open source buildlog.net 2.X. The reason this was my favorite part of the visit is because I got a one-on-one laser workflow lesson using CAMBAM to generate g-code from a DXF file, running the g-code through Mach3 which sends the step/direction/laser signals over to the laser cutter control board via parallel port. We started with cutting cardboard into simpIe shapes but then I got to burn some Roadrunner images into cardboard. My cuts may not have been the most impressive thing in the world but I personally learned a lot and can apply that knowledge in the future. Learning from others is a huge benefit to being part of a hackerspace.

While being shown the laser, I noticed something that now seems so obvious to me: basic instructions posted at the machine. It was just one page long but had general instructions for how to turn on the laser, set it up, run a program and what to do to shut it down. I can see something extremely simple like this being a huge benefit to any hackerspace with an even semi-complicated/expensive piece of equipment. Lesson #2!

With all the learnin’ I received, I was glad that I was able to help at least a little while there. I pitched in with setting up a new work area. The group received some old lab desks. You remember these from high school science class, the hefty wooden cabinets with heavy chemical-resistant stone work surfaces. They fit in with the space well and I’m sure they will get a lot use.

Freeside AtlantaThis place has too much going on and I can not cover it all in detail. It’s worth mentioning there is also a 3D Printing area containing 3 working printers that are ready to print out your next project. There is a dedicated room for member project/part storage. I’m positive this helps keep the rest of the common areas free of junk. If you are into Ham Radio or making podcasts, there’s a small room set up for that. While I was there some members were setting up a Media Lab and Bio Lab. From my perspective the members I met were active and engaged in the ‘space. The group has their stuff together, for sure. If you are ever in the area I recommend stopping by.

After getting back home I noticed that Freeside Atlanta has sprung up on HaD quite a few times over the years. [Caleb Kraft] and [Josh Marsh] have visited in the past. There are also some posts about how Freeside members made an Infinity Portal and a Sunrise Emulating Alarm Clock.

15 thoughts on “Cold Call Pop-In To The FreeSide Atlanta Hackerspace

  1. Hey thanks for the enjoyable and thorough write up! Is it possible for you to contact them and get a copy of their laser instructions? I’m working on a CO2 Laser using the same mechanics right now as well and would appreciate their experienced running guide. Thanks, Clay.

  2. :) I was one of the founders of that hackerspace and one of the major supporters of it being in that controversial (but HUGE) location. I’ve since relocated to CA, so I’m very happy to see an outsider report that it’s still running well and receptive to visitors.

    Well done, Freeside! Keep it going! <3

    1. It’d be nice for a fire sale if they go under too. I didn’t get much in the way of new tools myself this weekend. I bet they have some collet sets that I could use. I could use a C5, and an R8 set in my shop.

  3. I wouldn’t like trying to work on my projects in a public workspace. I am more the solitary mad scientist type. When I saw the radio on the workbench I immediately thought, that won’t work at all! I usually do not even play music that I like when I’m working. I’m certainly not going to be subjected to some crap that someone else wants to listen to.

    What can I say? I find distractions, ah, distracting. I do my own thing to you know, do my thing by my own self.

    1. To each his own I guess. My test bench at work is pretty much a tiny hackerspace, tucked into a corner of the warehouse. I have to have music going or I get bored and distracted. I don’t even mind the music that the warehouse guys play, even though I don’t listen to their stuff outside of work.

      That said, if I’m working on something that requires me to listen, the music gets paused.

    2. I don’t like working infront of people either, mainly because I’m the type to use a tool in the way it’s not intended(angle grinder to cut small piece of wood down, use by cordless drill as a hammer) just because it’s closest to hand.

      1. “use by cordless drill as a hammer) just because it’s closest to hand.”

        I would hope that you’d stay away, because that particular example is an abuse of equipment. It’s probably OK if you just abuse your own crap since only you have to deal with the consequences (cracked casing, etc.), but abusing a maker space’s equipment because you’re too lazy to get a tool that’s even halfway suited to the job.

        1. I’m sure that if done judiciously a blow could be struck with a cordless drill that would both be effective, and do no damage to the tool too. Not that I am condoning the practice, but I am also not going to out and out discount it for others to do either.

          I have personally dispersed hammers around my workspace in a strategic pattern, so the situation does not come up for me. A hammer is never more than an arms length away from me wherever I might be.

          I also have my basket of bashing implements to consider too

          http://i.imgur.com/nf0pKFr.jpg

        2. I wouldn’t do it with others tools, I did forget to mention that. I look after my tools well, and if they break I buy new ones. I use them all day every day along with the CNC and laser cutter in my home workshop(another reason I don’t visit hackerspaces, apart from the high costs around here).

          Pcf11, what is that constant width hammer at the front? I like it!

  4. Visited a few years ago during an open house, they have come a long way. Location is a little scary if your not use to it, but if I were a bit closer I would have defiantly wanted to join. The few people I meet seemed very cool.

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