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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Taylor’s Birthday Potluck
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This last Tuesday we had a potluck meal to celebrate Taylor’s 21st birthday.
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Make laundry detergent yourself and save money
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About one month ago, I posted the recipe for making my own laundry soap on the Arch Reactor Forums. One of the comments to that post was along the lines of, “I want to try a small batch of this out before I make a huge batch of it.” I suggested that this might be…
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Good things come in Teensy packages
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I few days ago i got an email from Paul Stoffregen of PJRC offering to donate some cosmetically challenged but fully functional Teensy’s for Arch Reactor to create projects with. Yesterday, just hours before our scheduled monthly Show and Tell night…
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Arch Reactor’s New Website Launches
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Daniel’s internship at a small web solutions firm translates into a new, better website for Arch Reactor! Find out about the new features he plans to add.
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Elections are Over! Please Welcome The New Management!
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Tonight featured a massive turnout of AR members who participated in the elections of the new board.
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World’s First Hackerspace Marriage
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Ryan are Taylor are now officially married, completing the first nuptial proceedings to occur at a hackerspace.
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Gearing Up for the Fire & Ice Benefit
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Even though we just turned up the heat with our recently-connected gas heater, Arch Reactor intends to bring plenty of ice to complement the fire that the Gateway Burners are bringing to the Fire & Ice Benefit this weekend.
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December Business Meeting
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Tuesday, Dec 7 was this month’s business meeting, and as usual a busy schedule was drawn up all the way to the end of January. Check the calendar to get the scoop on what’s coming up at your local hackerspace.
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Come Visit the Fire and Ice Benefit
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The Gateway Burners and Arch Reactor Hackerspace will be hosting the Fire & Ice Benefit to fund artists and makers in St. Louis. Come check it out on January 22nd at the Kerr Foundation Building north of the Arch!
Become a Member
Learn, Teach, Make