A commitment to creating and knowledge sharing.

Our mission is to provide an uninhibited environment that promotes creativity and learning to any and all potential makers and hackers. We achieve this with our combination of collaborative work space, public classes, and the extensive knowledge base of our members.

The only Constant is Change

Arch Reactor is a constantly evolving organization, the tools-on-hand are ever changing and improving, driven by member initiatives.

Wood working

Power tools, hand tools, and specialty tools allow making just about anything out of wood

Metal working

Metal working capabilities expand and improve almost weekly as member make the tools they need

Textiles

From standard machines to industrial sewing that can handle denim and leather open many possibilities

3D printing

Several filament based 3D printers and resin printers are available, supporting projects up to 500mm3

Laser Engraving

With a 3ftx4ft cutting area our CO2 laser can cut and engrave large projects with ease

And more

Vinyl cutters, soldering, oscilloscopes, lapidary, and more!

Our 5000 ft2 reaction chamber contains a Shop full of equipment, a Lab to work on your projects, a Classroom to enrich your mind, and a Lounge where ideas can fuse together. Our space is a community workshop where members learn, collaborate, and bring ideas to life. Our members keep everything running, and our community is always working to improve the space.

Lab Area

The Lab area features a lot of table space for everyone to work on their projects in a low-dust environment. There are also many tools for working on electronics and other clean projects, including a soldering station, vinyl cutter, 3D printers, and an 80W laser cutter. There are shelves where members can keep a private tote, and an assortment of salvaged and donated parts available for anyone to use. 

Classroom

The classroom seats over 20 students in a clean and quiet space conducive to learning. It is not completely finished, but it is functional and we have been using it to hold classes. We currently have two large flat panel displays on the walls for presentations. We expect in the future to add a large projector screen, white boards, a wireless microphone system, and a live streaming camera all available for any class. 

Lounge

The lounge will be a cozy area for everyone to relax and socialize in. We currently have a fridge full of soda and a freezer with pizza, and we hope to soon have a full kitchenette. There are couches and comfy chairs, a MAME machine, and soon there will be a console gaming area as well.

Shop

Many of us urbanites don’t have garages to tinker in, which is why we have a fully featured shop in our space, including saws, vices, grinders, lathes, drill presses, planers, welders, kilns, forges and all the tools we need to create. Some tools are owned by the organization, but most are owned by our members and shared. Use of the shop is restricted to members, and you must always be trained before using a new tool.

“A co-op workshop for techies, tinkerers, and free thinkers.”

Evan S. Benn

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

  • Leonard Nimoy, Spock of ‘Star Trek,’ Dies at 83

    Leonard Nimoy, Spock of ‘Star Trek,’ Dies at 83

    “Of all the souls I have encountered in my travels, his was the most human.” http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/27/arts/television/leonard-nimoy-spock-of-star-trek-dies-at-83.html?_r=0

  • 2015 Election Results

    Here are the results from last night’s elections: President    Deech MestelVice President    Bob SatchellTreasurer    Michael KubaSecretary    Joe CathellSergeant at Arms    Ryan Williams Public Relations    Gene JordanEducation    Niels BlackWebmaster    Travis Megee

  • Fire & Ice – Fifth Annual Fundraiser

    Fire & Ice – Fifth Annual Fundraiser

    The Gateway Burners and Arch Reactor are teaming up for the fifth year in a row to present Fire and Ice. The event is for ages 21 and up. Each group will be present to host correlative activities and entertainment as well as provide information about their organizations. The event will be $10 per person.…

  • Laser Engraving Cheat Sheet

    Laser Engraving Cheat Sheet

    Diane has created a handy cheat sheet for laser engraving into wood.  

  • BrushBot has Evolved to AgitatorBot!

    It’s somewhat effective… One of the members at the space was working on some circuit boards, but they were taking a long time to etch because there was no agitator (being just a tupperware bowl and some muratic acid rather than a proper etching tank). He was walking over to the bowl every few minutes…

  • Autonomous Robot Race Results

    Categories: Fastest Lap – George with a 20 second time First to cross finish line (all racing at once) – George Endurance (Most Laps) – Niels won with 10+ laps and he most likely could have gone further but we stopped it.

  • Pi and Cookies with Ben Nuttall of the Raspberry Pi Foundation

    Pi and Cookies with Ben Nuttall of the Raspberry Pi Foundation

    Ben Nuttall of the Raspberry Pi Foundation will be visiting Arch Reactor as he continues on his journey from NYC to Salt Lake City!  Ben is visiting various hackerspaces, schools, and other community spaces for his 2014 US Tour.  Bring your Pi projects to show off and learn more about the Raspberry Pi. Come join…

  • Shapeoko Build Progress

    Chris has completed our new Shapeoko and run a few test jobs.  On July 29th we will have a Shapeoko Workshop night where we will do training.  That night we will teach you how to use design software like Easel to produce a simple bottle opener. [[nid:125]]

  • Educators Use Maker Movement To Spark Student Interest In STEM Careers

    Educators Use Maker Movement To Spark Student Interest In STEM Careers

    Photo by: Sarah Darby/Missouri Business Alert Missouri Business Alert has published a great article discussing the Bright Ideas Expo and Arch Reactor’s involvment. http://missouribusinessalert.com/industry/45489/2014/06/24/educators-use-maker-movement-to-spark-student-interest-in-stem-careers/

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