2024-04-03 Transcript

Chair: Aaron

Minutes: Steve

Roll Call: Aaron, Emily, Gareth, Malcolm, Ali, Red, Ian Turner, Kirsty, Charlie, Edgar, Bob

Events

• Need a date for the next Hack the Space day. 9th of March last time. Sunday 12th of May is agreed upon.
• EMF Camp planning session - Monday April 15th.
• Brief description of EMF Camp. 5-6 reserved tickets left for people who want to volunteer to run talks or do other stuff.
• Radio Meetup Wednesday Aprl 10th at 7pm
• Film Night on April the 26th or 28th - date to follow up in email

Actions/Minutes

• Added a happenings section to the agenda

Happenings

• Hanging Out channel added on Discord if you are heading in and want to let others know/coordinate.
• Film and Food night coming up.
• Wargaming group runs every Sunday and Wednesday - very open and welcoming. Feel free to come along even if you've not played - happy to tech it. Gareth and Ali had 40k demo recently and enjoyed it. Chris is happy to show people painting techiques or other hobby related stuff.
• One Shot Wonders RPG last month - Gareth ran Call of Cthulu. Another one coming up on April 18th - and added as an event on the Discord.
• Ian's woodworking sessions have finished and were enioyed by many. He's happy to run more if there's demand.

Laser Cutter

• Massive tanks to Emily (and others) for getting through over 150 reinductions.
• Laser team is running well with no major issues (though the laser chose to break immediately after the report Aaron is quoting here was written).
• Ordered some parts - compressor mount, autofocus.
• Looking at purchasing another bed and a pressure washer for cleaning.
• Free reinductions are closed and paid inductions for new users are open and 10 have been completed.
• Edgar and Ax have joined the team and are being trained as inductors.
• Chris is planning to consult with membership about making the laser more accessible. If any laser user is struggling with access please reach out to either Chris or the Laser Team with feedback - we can't make accessibility changes without understanding the needs of the membership so please get in touch so we can make appropriate adaptations.
• Team is looking into a new approach for inductions which will potentially support up to 5 people and allow learning Lightburn ahead of time. This would be alongside the existing method for people who can't make the times of the group inductions or aren't comfortable with a group induction. Group sessions are likely to happen faster since they will be pre-planned.

Unfortunately there was an incident where someone left the laser cutter running unattended. As is emphasised during inductions, leaving the laser running unattended is very dangerous and can cause a fire. There is an example of this on the wall in the laser area. If you need to run to the loo there is a pause button!

• It has been observed that users have been making changes to the materials library in Lightburn. As pointed out in inductions the materials library should not be touched - if you are cutting a new material please add it to the whiteboard or email the laser team who can add it.
• Big thanks to Emily for all the work.
• Aaron points out my attempted ninja edit of the heading above

Metalworking Area

• Consulting with a member (Chris) about doing the electrical work for the metal working area. Planning on doing this in chunks as it suits him better and is better for us also.

Volunteers

• Laser Team is doing a bit better with 2 new members and Edgar has also joined Membership. A few others are interested in joining Membership.
• 3D Printing, Woodworking, and Metalworking are low on volunteers, so we'd be interested to hear from potential volunteers.
• If anyone has idea on how to encourage more volunteers please let us know.

Teams

• Woodworking has bought a new 3 Phase Bandsaw. Bob: If the electrical work downstairs can start with welding, that will free up a 3 phase socket for the bandsaw (this is planned to happen in that order anyway). Bob suggests in the meantime the new Bandsaw can share a socket with the large extractor if it is positioned near the Table Saw without the expense of running a cable to the current position of the bandsaws.

(various discussion on possibilities for extending woodworking)

• Extractor bag is leaking - seems like a lot of MDF is being cutting and will create fine and hazardous dust, so it's suggested that anyone using the area with the extractor on should wear and dust mask. Needs the ratchet strap removing and replacing, but Bob may not be able to get to that this week. Bob suggests the Ryobi bandsaw ought to be scrapped, so it would be good to take the Ryobi downstairs when the new bandsaw is brought in. Likely worth it to a scrap merchant (which ties in with plans for getting rid of the pile of metal scrap by the back door). Unlikely to be used for welding practice in its current state as an unwieldy pile of tetanus.
• Ian/Bob: New to us Bobbin Sander is now in position. Extractor hose needs attaching better or an adapter making. Should be easy for a laser user following the design on the Yellow Thicknesser.

Ian has had a go at fitting a router to the table but given up due to issues with fitting various models - clamping, spindle size, or issues with the extended collet. Need a router with a 1/2 inch collet, a 2kw motor, and a working plunge lock. Clarke do a 2kw one. Might be worth looking for a table with the height adjustment built in.

• Chris suggests we start thinking about a more permanent/semi-permanent location for the bike workshop. A few members have started using it again as the weather improves, but it's a rather awkward location.
• Could potentially tuck it into the remainder of current metalworking after woodworking is extended. Potentially needs a wall to separate it from the corridor to avoid the temptation for bike projects to creep into the corridor.
• Worth separating bike storage from bike parking. Metalworking to outside door would be ideal but tricky to get up and running. Hopefully we can get the shared entrance downstairs in action this summer.

Trustee Elections

• Aaron: Nomination Window announcement will be April 10th. From the announced date potential trustees can submit their nomination along with a bio and a photo that will go on the wiki.
• Being a trustee is quite rewarding, if difficult at times, and it's good to contribute to something a lot of people get a lot out of. Most of the time it's an hour or so of work a week.
• If anyone has any questions about being a trustee please ask.
• We had an Open House for potential trustees which had one atteneee.
• We are on the year when 4 trustees have to stand for re-election, and Steve and Andrew are among those four and cannot stand again due to having hit the term limit.

Finacial Update

No update. Last one was Sep 2023. Matt has been incredibly busy but we will bug him before the next one.

AOB

• Chris raises the suggestion that it would be good if more people could be involved in the Finances so we can get regular updates.
• Aaron: I agree, but the system was built by a very technical person and this automates a huge amount of work. Unfortunately it also makes it very tricky to augment with additional help.
• Hard to automate reports due to volume of transactions and noisy bank balance due to timing of membership income and other payments.
• Chris suggests a detailed quarterly report might be a more manageable alternative if the monthly cadence is a problem.
• Praise of Aaron's train display (note from Aaron: I basically asked for it :D).
• Featherweight robot fights at North Down Havoc are happening down in Devon on April 20th and some of us are going. Feel free to come watch (though it's a long way) or watch it if it's streamed.