How It Works

Schedule your 1-on-1 session to learn how to use our equipment and get Hacker Lab certified!

Open to all Hacker Lab members, you can now sign up for your own one-on-one session with Hacker Lab instructor Shane.  When selecting your ticket, simply choose which class you'd like to cover.  Shane can teach you:

• Woodshop part 1
• Woodshop part 2
• Intro to Lasercutting
• Intro to 3D printer usage and operation

Please be aware: due to the nature of the 1-on-1 sessions, we have a 48 hour cut-off for scheduling - you must schedule your session at least 48 hours ahead of the session.  Our normal cancellation policy of 48 hours advanced notice also applies.

See below for the overviews of what each class covers:

Woodshop part 1:

This Woodshop class is a two hour safety and tool use class designed to get you up to speed on Hacker Lab's woodworking tools.  It is not intended to be an advanced woodworking or project class.
We will first cover the basics in the classroom focusing on safety and accuracy. Then you will be hands on working directly with the various saws and tools, including the SawStop table saw and the 10in Miter Saw.

•  Starts with a safety orientation and introduction to safety features of the tools available. 
•  Hands-on time with each of the major tools in the wood shop
•  Participants will learn how to make accurate cuts in wood using the Hacker Lab Table, & Compound Miter Saws 
•  Participants will know how to inspect a saw for defects, how to safely change blades, how to adjust the saw to maximize cutting accuracy, and will see demonstrations of safest methods for making cuts in wood using the Hacker Lab saws.

Equipment Covered

•  SawStop Cabinet Tablesaw 
•  Compound Miter Saw
•  Drill Press - Rockwell Delta 15-251

Woodshop part 2:

This is Part 2 for people wanting to learn to use the power tools in the Woodshop at the Sacramento Hacker Lab.  It is not intended to be an advanced woodworking or project class.

Intro to Woodshop, Part 2, is a two hour safety and tool use class designed to get you up to speed quickly.  We will first cover the basics in the classroom focusing on safety and accuracy. Then you will be hands on working directly with the various saws and tools, including the Bandsaw, Joiner/Planer, Thickness Planer, and Circular Saws.

•  Starts with a safety orientation and introduction to safety features of the tools available. 
•  Then participants will get down to using each of the tools in the wood shop.
•  Use and safe operation of the Bandsaw, Joiner/Planer, Thickness Planer, and Circular Saws.
•  Participants will know how to inspect a tool for defects, how to safely change blades, how to adjust the saw to maximize cutting accuracy, and will see demonstrations of safest methods for using Hacker Lab's woodworking equipment.

Equipment Covered

•  Bandsaw - Grizzly Delux 14" Upright
•  Jointer
•  Thickness Planer - 13"
•  Circular Saws ***

Intro to Lasercutting:

Hacker Lab's lasercutters are among the most used pieces of equipment in the makerspace.  They are fairly easy to operate and allot users to prototype designs, create art, and much more.
This is our Laser Cutter safety and basic use class.  It is designed to cover the safe operation of the lasers, Hacker Lab's policy's regarding laser cutter use, and walk students through the lasercutting toolpath.
Please note: this class does not cover design creation.  If you have no vector design experience (typically Adobe Illustrator, Corel Draw, Inkscape, AutoCAD, or similar) we highly suggest you take our Vector Design for Laser and Vinyl Cutting online class in addition to this one.
We'll Cover:

•  High-level overview of design software
•  Introduction to components of the laser cutter
•  Laser Safety, Rules, and Guidelines 
•  Overview of materials
•  Preparing the machine for operation
•  Vector versus raster files and why it matters
•  Laser cutter design considerations
•  Review errors and ways to prevent them
•  Laser cutting in practice
•  Positioning the laser and work piece
•  Navigating the laser cutter's user interface software
•  Operation of the lasercutter for performing a cut

Equipment Covered

•  Morntech MT L960 Laser Cutter
•  DLM Spartan Laser Cutter

3D Printer use and Basic Operation:

This class targets the safety and basic use of Hacker Lab's 3D printers, and is required prior to using the Lulzbot Taz or Monoprice printers.
Ideal for rapid prototyping, art, and one-off designs, 3D printing has widely grown from a technique only available to large corporations, to being an essential tool for innovative companies and DiYers alike.

This course teaches the toolchain for printing a 3D model, as well as a subset of the various parameters available to you.  Please note however, this class does not cover 3D CAD or Modeling itself, but it will cover the slicer program Cura.  If you would like to explore modeling, consider taking our Fusion 360 Basics for 3D Printing online class.
We'll Cover:

•  Online services for 3D printing
•  Available CAD training
•  Use of the Cura slicing program for gcode creation
•  Operation of the Ultimaker 2
•  Minor setup and maintenance
•  Use of the Monoprice 3D printers
•  Use of the Tazbot 6 3D printers
•  Leveling the bed
•  The SD card and menu
•  Launching a print
•  Watching for errors
•  Removing your print
•  Unclogging the extruder

Equipment Covered

•  MP Select Mini 3D Printer - SAC
•  Lulzbot TAZ 6 3D Printer - SAC

Important Information:

For all Classes:

• Please make sure to arrive 10-15 minutes early and sign our general release of liability agreement.
• While we have some PPE available, you MUST bring your own mask (N95 or greater), and we suggest you bring your own safety glasses.  Masks must be worn correctly while inside the facility.
• Please wear shop-appropriate clothing: long pants, close-toed shoes, no loose or dangling jewelry, and tie back long hair.
• Do not come into the Lab if you have a cough, fever, or feel sick in the past 14 days.