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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Beginning Cardweaving
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Cardweaving Pattern Choices Please Join us at Arch Reactor by 7pm on Tuesday, July 12 to learn about the ancient art of Cardweaving and create your own narrow band suitable for a bookmark or friendship bracelet. Choose from one of three patterns, in order of difficulty:: Iris Flowers (fairly easy), Diamonds (average complexity), or…
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Soapbox Derby Entry Makes the News!
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On Saturday, June 18, Arch Reactor participated in the Red Bull Soapbox Derby in Des Moines, Iowa! We’re still waiting for the official videos to be posted somewhere, and we didn’t win an award, but We Made The News! Congratulations to the Entire Team for a Great Entry!!! We’re entering again next year, right?!?!…
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May Updates and April Memories
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Hey Folks, We had a Crazy month at AR in April, and to top it off we were accepted as an entrant into the RedBull Soapbox Derby in Iowa https://www.redbull.com/us-en/events/red-bull-soapbox-race-usa-2022 You will find pictures of many of the things and events we have attend in the last month here : https://archreactor.org/photos/april-2022-activities Check them out and…
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Show & Tell Tuesday
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What have you Made? What are you currently working on? Please Show Us! Whether finished or not, ‘perfect’ or not, we want to see. Bring your projects at 7pm on Tuesday, March 22, and help celebrate the Incredible Creativity that is Arch Reactor! Bonus: We expect to have a member from the Astronomical…
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Pysanky at AR
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Pysanky Workshops are well underway and the new students are crafting Spectacularly Beautiful Eggs! Check out the Photo Gallery here: https://archreactor.org/photos/pysanky-2022 There’s still time to get in on the fun! Pysanky Workshops are on our Calendar. Please reserve your slot on the Registration Spreadsheet, here: https://tinyurl.com/ARPysanky22 We hope to see you soon! Joe’s Circuit Board Egg…
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Pysanky Workshops Announced!
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A Beginner’s Pysanky Egg Pysanky are Ukrainian Style Decorated Eggs. Worked on whole, raw chicken eggs using wax-resist batik methods with vibrant dyes, they are unique and beautiful. Please join us at Arch Reactor at one (or more) of our Eight Workshops in March to learn this beautiful craft. Please see the AR Calendar for…
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New Board of Officers and Directors
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Every year in January Arch Reactor holds elections for positions on the Board of Officers and Directors. To reach the entire Board send mail to arch-reactor-board@googlegroups.com The newly elected Board is: Officers Position Name President Diane S. Vice President Ann J. Treasurer Derek S. Secretary Morgan M. Sergeant at Arms Craig W. Directors Position Name Public…
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MEMBERS: it’s ELECTION TIME
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MEMBERS, As a reminder Arch Reactor is entirely kept running by volunteers, which if you remember at the time you joined is mandatory for everyone to serve at least 2 hours per month. But if you want to be a total bada&&, considered to be a super macho beefcake/beefcakess with brains and brawn, serving on…
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