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• Laser Basics with Erik

  • When
    Tuesday, May 05, 2026
  •  
    6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
  • Location
    Digital Fab Shop, 36 Talcott Street, Hartford, CT 06103
  • Spaces left
    0

  Join waitlist

  Cost: Members $65/Non-members $89

  Age: 18+

  Prerequisites: N/A

  Credentials: Laser Cutter Safety

  Recommended Follow Up Classes: Inkscape for CNC, Plasma Cutter, Intro to Wood Shop

  
  

  Laser engraving is a fun and interesting skill that can range from an enjoyable hobby to a lucrative business opportunity. Engraving can be used to personalize everyday objects, such as coasters, keychains, and barware. Lasers can even cut materials with details that are impossible for other tools! This is the perfect launching point into larger CNC operations, such as the plasma cutter or the techno router table. This is the perfect course for dipping your toes into the world of CNC machines!

  The course content includes:

  • Startup Procedure
  • Overview of what CAD is
  • Overview of what CAM is
  • Quick overview of what gcode is
  • How the laser cutter functions
  • How to prep a file for the laser cutter
  • Cutting versus engraving and vector versus raster
  • What materials can be cut
  • Tolerances
  • Kerf of the cut
  • Power and Speeds calculations
  • Troubleshooting
    
  • Where to source materials

  Materials Included: A variety of acrylic, plywood, and paper to experiment on, as well as all machines, consumables, and accessories. Participants are welcome to bring their own supplies to cut! Be aware that several types of plastics are not safe to cut on the laser, so ensure that you know exactly what material you are bringing.

  
  

  

  All people are welcome in this class and an active effort will be made to be inclusive to all people. This class will not tolerate sexism, ableism, racism, homophobia, or transphobia. MakerspaceCT is for everyone.
  

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• Wood Shop Safety Certification with Matt

  • When
    Monday, May 11, 2026
  •  
    6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Location
    Wood Shop, MakerspaceCT, 36 Talcott Street, Hartford, CT 06103
  • Spaces left
    1

  Register

  Detailed overview of safety policies and procedures for the Wood Shop. Safety Certifications at MakerspaceCT are designed to ensure that you know the basics to work safely within the shop of your choice. These classes are a mixture of classroom instruction and hands-on learning. Please register in advance for Safety Certifications at the links below and be sure to dress appropriately when you come to class.

  NOTE: you must be a member in good standing to take Safety Certification classes.

  All people are welcome in this class and an active effort will be made to be inclusive to all people. This class will not tolerate sexism, ableism, racism, homophobia, or transphobia. MakerspaceCT is for everyone.

  
  

  
  

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• Metal Shop Safety Certification with Peter (Members Only)

  • When
    Friday, May 15, 2026
  •  
    5:30 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Location
    Metal Fab Shop, MakerspaceCT, 36 Talcott Street, Hartford, CT 06103
  • Spaces left
    0

  Join waitlist

  Detailed overview of safety policies and procedures for the Metal Fabrication Shop. Safety Certifications at MakerspaceCT are designed to ensure that you know the basics to work safely within the shop of your choice. These classes are a mixture of classroom instruction and hands-on learning. 

  Machines covered include: bandsaw, jump shear, finger brake, sheet metal notcher, drill press, grinding station, disk sander and more.

  Please note: The Machine Shop, Welding, CNC Plasma and Blacksmithing are covered in separate trainings. 

  This session may end earlier or later than planned based on the number of students and level of training needed.

  All people are welcome in this class and an active effort will be made to be inclusive to all people. This class will not tolerate sexism, ableism, racism, homophobia, or transphobia. MakerspaceCT is for everyone.

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• Rotary Laser A Drink Tumbler with Erik (MEMBERS ONLY)

  • When
    Tuesday, May 19, 2026
  •  
    6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Location
    Digital Fab Shop, 36 Talcott Street, Hartford, CT 06103
  • Spaces left
    18

  Register

  Laser Tumbler Engraving

  About the Class Put a personal touch on your coffee tumbler in this hands-on workshop. Using MakerspaceCT's laser engraver with rotary attachment, you'll engrave your initials, a monogram, or a custom graphic directly onto your tumbler, leaving with a finished, one-of-a-kind piece.

  Prerequisites Laser Basics certification required. This class is open to certified members only.

  What We'll Cover Topics

  • Setting up the rotary attachment for cylindrical objects
  • Preparing artwork and initials in the laser software
  • Dialing in settings for material type and tumbler finish
  • Running and monitoring the engrave

  Hands-On Project Students set up their design, configure the rotary attachment, and engrave their tumbler from start to finish.

  Course Outcomes Students gain:

  • Hands-on experience with the rotary attachment
  • Confidence setting up and running a job on the laser independently
  • A finished engraved tumbler

  Provided Coffee tumbler, laser time, and instruction. Bring your own design or choose from templates available in the software.

  What to Bring Closed-toe shoes. All other materials provided.

  
  

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• Machine Shop Safety Certification with Greg (Members Only)

  • When
    Thursday, May 28, 2026
  •  
    6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
  • Location
    Machine Shop, MakerspaceCT, 36 Talcott Street, Hartford, CT 06103
  • Spaces left
    0

  Join waitlist

  Detailed overview of safety policies and procedures for the Machine Shop. Safety Certifications at MakerspaceCT are designed to ensure that you know the basics to work safely within the shop of your choice. These classes are a mixture of classroom instruction and hands-on learning. Please register in advance for Safety Certifications at the links below and be sure to dress appropriately when you come to class.

  This safety class covers the lathe and bridgeport in the Machine Shop. A separate training for the Haas is required for those interested in CNC Milling. This training DOES NOT cover any machines in the Metal Fabrication Shop. 

  This machine shop program at MakerspaceCT is currently limited to no more than three (3) participants at a time.

  NOTE: You must be a member in good standing to take Safety Certification classes.

  
  

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• Metal Shop Safety Certification with Peter (Members Only)

  • When
    Friday, June 05, 2026
  •  
    5:30 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Location
    Metal Fab Shop, MakerspaceCT, 36 Talcott Street, Hartford, CT 06103
  • Spaces left
    3

  Register

  Detailed overview of safety policies and procedures for the Metal Fabrication Shop. Safety Certifications at MakerspaceCT are designed to ensure that you know the basics to work safely within the shop of your choice. These classes are a mixture of classroom instruction and hands-on learning. 

  Machines covered include: bandsaw, jump shear, finger brake, sheet metal notcher, drill press, grinding station, disk sander and more.

  Please note: The Machine Shop, Welding, CNC Plasma and Blacksmithing are covered in separate trainings. 

  This session may end earlier or later than planned based on the number of students and level of training needed.

  All people are welcome in this class and an active effort will be made to be inclusive to all people. This class will not tolerate sexism, ableism, racism, homophobia, or transphobia. MakerspaceCT is for everyone.

  Show details
• Metal Shop Safety Certification with Peter (Members Only)

  • When
    Friday, June 19, 2026
  •  
    5:30 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Location
    Metal Fab Shop, MakerspaceCT, 36 Talcott Street, Hartford, CT 06103
  • Spaces left
    4

  Register

  Detailed overview of safety policies and procedures for the Metal Fabrication Shop. Safety Certifications at MakerspaceCT are designed to ensure that you know the basics to work safely within the shop of your choice. These classes are a mixture of classroom instruction and hands-on learning. 

  Machines covered include: bandsaw, jump shear, finger brake, sheet metal notcher, drill press, grinding station, disk sander and more.

  Please note: The Machine Shop, Welding, CNC Plasma and Blacksmithing are covered in separate trainings. 

  This session may end earlier or later than planned based on the number of students and level of training needed.

  All people are welcome in this class and an active effort will be made to be inclusive to all people. This class will not tolerate sexism, ableism, racism, homophobia, or transphobia. MakerspaceCT is for everyone.

  Show details
• Machine Shop Safety Certification with Greg (Members Only)

  • When
    Thursday, June 25, 2026
  •  
    6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
  • Location
    Machine Shop, MakerspaceCT, 36 Talcott Street, Hartford, CT 06103
  • Spaces left
    1

  Register

  Detailed overview of safety policies and procedures for the Machine Shop. Safety Certifications at MakerspaceCT are designed to ensure that you know the basics to work safely within the shop of your choice. These classes are a mixture of classroom instruction and hands-on learning. Please register in advance for Safety Certifications at the links below and be sure to dress appropriately when you come to class.

  This safety class covers the lathe and bridgeport in the Machine Shop. A separate training for the Haas is required for those interested in CNC Milling. This training DOES NOT cover any machines in the Metal Fabrication Shop. 

  This machine shop program at MakerspaceCT is currently limited to no more than three (3) participants at a time.

  NOTE: You must be a member in good standing to take Safety Certification classes.

  
  

  Show details
• Metal Shop Safety Certification with Peter (Members Only)

  • When
    Friday, July 17, 2026
  •  
    5:30 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Location
    Metal Fab Shop, MakerspaceCT, 36 Talcott Street, Hartford, CT 06103
  • Spaces left
    4

  Register

  Detailed overview of safety policies and procedures for the Metal Fabrication Shop. Safety Certifications at MakerspaceCT are designed to ensure that you know the basics to work safely within the shop of your choice. These classes are a mixture of classroom instruction and hands-on learning. 

  Machines covered include: bandsaw, jump shear, finger brake, sheet metal notcher, drill press, grinding station, disk sander and more.

  Please note: The Machine Shop, Welding, CNC Plasma and Blacksmithing are covered in separate trainings. 

  This session may end earlier or later than planned based on the number of students and level of training needed.

  All people are welcome in this class and an active effort will be made to be inclusive to all people. This class will not tolerate sexism, ableism, racism, homophobia, or transphobia. MakerspaceCT is for everyone.

  Show details