General

How many members actively use Ace?

If one considers at least 1 discreet visit per month as “active” then 80% approx. of the current membership

What are the rules for parking a car in front of the building?

Park in a manner that is street-legal, between the markers, taking up only one spot for your vehicle. We advise you not to leave stuff in your car, and with the exception of van/truck interior modifications, no automotive repair work. Ace tools can not be taken out to your car to work on it.

Who else is in the building?

About 20 other businesses are listed on the door.

Is Ace the only makerspace in the building?

Yes. There are other artists and art businesses but we are the only makerspace.

What is the most used space?

It is pretty even between Textiles and workshop with workshop having a slight edge.

How does someone get more practice with a tool after certification?

There are lots of options.

• Come in and practice.
• Find a project on the internet.
• Do one of our practice projects.
• Come to a project class.
• Hire a tutor.

Culture

Are the pink and green colors distinguishable for someone colorblind?

Yes, they clearly have the instruction on the label in words “For Member Use” and “Not for Member Use”. Many labels often also have icons as well.

How long ahead of time do you have to call dibs?

There is no rule.

What is the culture like at Ace?

That is a really open-ended question. Without context, it is pretty hard to answer. Big tenets are shared resources supported by the community with a social contract predicated on respect and transparency. We have a whole workshop for this called the New Member Workshop where we unpack this.

What happens if someone uses a tool without certification?

• If somebody has a persistent pattern of doing this, then they will lose their membership and guest privileges.
• If somebody does it by mistake they will be asked to stop right away and get certified before using that tool. They might be asked to go to the next New Member Workshop.
• If somebody does it intentionally, well that is a warning, and continuing to do it, will lead to loss of membership privileges, etc.

Did Ace make/print the Oakland Back Indigenous posters?

No. Those were professionally printed by an offset printer.

How do members sign up to be a TA?

If you are not part of the Monster Corp program but you are a member who wants to TA, just take the TA Training! Then sign up on the helper sheet for the classes you are qualified to TA for.

Teaching at Ace

Does a teaching artist have to have all the skills listed under “Examples of workshops”?

No but they are unlikely to be hired without matching a significant amount of the skills posted in the job posting.

Does Ace need instructors? (This question is based on me mentioning the visible mending class) (Saron’s follow up question- if we have a need for instructors, do we pitch it more as a volunteer position, paid or both.)

We have staff teaching positions posted on our opportunities pages. Volunteer teaching gigs are only sparsely recruited for. Managing and investing in an instructor is a large lift for Ace and without a commitment from the instructor it often doesn’t work. Unless they are committed member or a guest teacher.

Are the classes taught by paid instructors?

Some are, some are taught by staff instructors and yet others are taught by volunteers.

Monster Corps and Job Opportunities

Can Monster Corps members change their volunteering position? If so, how long after they start volunteering can they change?

Monster Corps members are accepted and trained for very specific roles. They cannot switch roles at their own discretion. They can apply for another role but being in Monster Corps doesn’t means a guaranteed acceptance of another application. Monster Corps roles are based on organizational and community need, not applicant need. Ace invests a significant amount of time and money in each Monster Corps volunteer. If the intention is to switch roles frequently this program is not a good match. The shortest commitment to the program after the first 30 days is 90 days.

When is the next Monster Corps onboarding?

Monster Corps is run in monthly cohorts and we onboard accepted applicants 1x per month. Dates are listed on the page. 

What job opportunities are currently available at Ace?

Teaching Artists are currently the only thing we have funding to hire for.

Does Ace need accountants as volunteers?

Yes. We will be posting in Monster corps shortly. Though really it is more bookkeeping than accounting.

Do Monster Corps members have to be certified on a tool before applying to work with it?

No. They do need the required relevant experience for the role they apply for to be accepted. Certification may be part of role-specific training.

Art

Do the resin curing racks have the same 2 weeks rule for members to store?

No. Things should only be left for their cure time. Usually no more than 3 to 5 days max. Curing racks are not just for resin. They are also for painting.

What is zine making?

Custom tiny magazines.

3D Printing

Is there anything that people are not allowed to print with the 3D printer (ex. gun)?

We do not police what people print. Operational firearms are not allowed at Ace.

Can someone make a car model with the 3D printer?

Sure

Laser

How much did it cost to buy the Laser machine?

Total end-to-end cost including installation? Approx. 14k

What type of programs does the laser machine use?

The control software can import a lot of file formats but DXF works best. Many design programs can export svg, dxf and other file formats the laser control software can see. File construction ends up being more important than the software choice.

Does Ace sell laser materials?

No.

Metal Shop

Is the vacuum in the metal shop good for cleaning up large projects?

If you are talking about the upright, no. That is left over machine If you are talking about the little shop vac. No, if you are doing a large project with a lot slag you will need to empty it a few times.

Are there examples of things you can make in the metal shop?

Custom-milled metal parts. Custom threaded parts. Things with extruded metal. Lot of things and repairs.

What do people usually make in the metal shop?

Custom parts and parts of other projects. A lot of repair. We are seeking funding to add bike repair equipment and stained glass.

Does the metal shop get used a lot?

It is currently underutilized. We are seeking funding to add bike repair equipment and stained glass.

Textiles

Is the sewing machine on top of the store in coworking usable or just for display?

It is currently set up just for display. It is a lovely vintage machine. We have 6 Janome sewing machines setup on rolling stations ready for basic sewing.

Does the serger also do cutting?

Sergers can be set up to cut as they sew but only pre-cut pieces.

Workshop

What is now or going to be in the workshop supply closet?

Supplies for members. Things that are typically donated by members like sand paper and so on. Also supplies so members can do maintenance tasks.

How long do glue-ups usually take?

It depends on a bunch of factors but usually no more than 24 hours.