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
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Arch Reactor to Host Instructables Dremel Build Night!
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Instructables and Dremel have selected Arch Reactor as one of its locations to host a build night to learn how to use Dremel tools and create awesome things! We will be Dremel-ing and writing up our projects for others to learn via doing through the power of sharing knowledge. After a 15 minute safety demonstration,…
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Shapeoko CNC Mill
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Inventables is giving Arch Reactor a Shapeoko CNC mill kit! The parts have arrived, and we’ll be scheduling an assembly event soon. Inventables is also providing materials for us to host a workshop on how to use their Easel design system. When we get a firm date on when those materials will arrive, we’ll schedule that…
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Arduino Class
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The next Arduino class has been scheduled! It will be Sundays from 7/13 to 8/3 at 7PM No microcontroller, programming or electronics experience needed. If you have an Arduino (or some clone) bring it, otherwise come and learn which would be best for you. Free, but please RSVP to directorofeducation@archreactor.org . Questions can also…
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Bright Ideas Expo
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Looking forward to seeing everyone this weekend at the expo. We will have a table with some various demos and Chris Weiss will be hosting some introductory Arduino workshops. UPDATE: The powerpoint and code used for the Arudino Workshop is now available at https://github.com/ArchReactor/ArduinoIntro
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Arduino-based Car Sensor
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Member Michael Kuba made a writeup on a DIY sensor and display to display the boost in his turbocharged car. More info at http://archreactor.org/project/carduino.
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Tower Grove Better Block
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We will participating this year in the Tower Grove Better Block event this weekend and will have a table setup selling some of our random bits and parts.
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Bright Ideas Expo
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June7 10am to 4pm the Science Center will host an expo to showcase creativity in St. Louis, and Arch Reactor will be there! Watch the promo video below, and more information is at http://www.slsc.org/active-creativity and https://www.facebook.com/events/752637671427865/ youtube://v/7C_E3SlvKp0
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Lulzbot Giveaway Winner
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We have won a free Taz 3 3D printer! Lulzbot hosted a hackerspace giveaway and we were one of the lucky winners. Many thanks to Derek for putting together our application and congrats to AR on our many opensource contributions.
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Laser Tube
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Our new 80W laser tube has arrived in one piece! Next steps will be: Add additional cooling for water Add framing extension Design and print new tube mounts Install/wire tube and power supply Cut and install skin material for frame extension Realign mirrors
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