Faq

Admin stuff

Can I donate?

Yes! We are a 503(c) registered nonprofit, so all donations are tax deductable. You don't have to sign up to donate. Come by at a public event, drop it off, and get a board member to sign off on it. That said, we have a limited amount of space and we aren't Construction Junction, so some things we can't/won't accept.

Things we like:

• Weird electronics (Got a NeXTCube or old server? We'll find a good home for it somewhere.)
• Machine tools (Engraving tool from an old watchmaker's shop? We're down for it.
• Hand tools (wrenches, screwdrivers, electric drills, etc)
• Old weird stuff (the power hacksaw from the 1920's is always fun to mess with)

Things we have enough of:

• Scrap lumber
• Old furniture
• Tables
• Broken office chairs

Things we can't/won't take:

• Clothes
• Exciting chemicals
• Most things much bigger than a desk -- If it's something real useful we might take it, but it would have to replace something we already have

Everyday stuff for members

How do I give tours?

It's pretty simple, in principle: Just show people around and talk about all the cool stuff. Some highlights to hit:

• Cool tools like 3D printers, laser cutter, etc. Feel free to demo them. Ask what sorts of things they're interested in.
• We're a non-profit run entirely by members volunteering
• Members get 24/7 access
• We often do classes, events, etc.

How do I get training on a tool?

We have regular tool trainings, check the calendar on the website. For most tools like the laser cutter, band saw, etc this doesn't take too long and most people know how to use them.

However, for some things like the lathe, welding equipment, so on, unless you know how to use a lathe or weld already you'll need a full-scale class to learn. If you know how to use the tool already you still need to have someone qualified give you a safety overview though, just for some assurance that you know how to not damage yourself or the tool. In either case, the best place to ask is probably either at a member's meeting, or on the tool-training channel on Slack.

Where does trash go?

Out front on 5th Ave, next to the small tree. Trash gets collected every Tuesday morning, and recycling gets collected every other Tuesday, so realistically it should get taken out on Monday nights. There should be a calendar on the whiteboard across the front door showing you which weeks are recycling weeks.

I want to run a class, have a party, or do some other event, how do I start?

Email the board! `info@hackpittsburgh.com`. We need the following info to schedule an event:

Preferred date or time, if any. Check out the calendar and find a free space you like, or just let us know what sort of time is good for you, and we'll figure stuff out.

• Title: The title
• Description: A short description, 3-4 sentences is good.
• Who's handling it:
• Age limitations: If any
• Cost: If any
• Registration limit: If applicable.

Someone wants to join, what do I do?

ezpz, direct them to https://hackpgh.org/get-involved/ . All the sign-up stuff can happen there. Honestly, we should have a shortcut to it on the shop computer, though I don't think we do. They'll need to come to a member's meeting or open shop night to get a key from a board member though.

How do I take care of a tool?

This should be covered in tool training, and also really needs to be documented somewhere sane. At the moment though, it's really down to asking someone who knows the tool how to care for it.

How do I lock up when I'm the last one leaving?

Check that:

• Lights are out
• Shop is vaguely clean
• No dirty dishes in sink
• No tools are left on.

I want to make a change to the shop, how do I do it?

It's your shop, go ahead and do it! If someone doesn't like it, they're free to change it back.  :-P

That said, to prevent hysteresis (and hysteria), for changes much larger than moving stuff around or decorating things, it's probably best to at least bring it up at a member's meeting and see what people say. If it's a large project for improving the space, such as painting, electrical work, etc then HackPGH will probably also pay for it. If it's something that involves modifying the actual building though, such as altering walls, doors etc. then we might have to check with our landlord as well.

Onoez, I have a complaint!

That sucks! We take complaints seriously. Please email the Board at info@hackpittsburgh.org . If you want to be anonymous, write it on a piece of paper and drop it in the safe. That doesn't get checked regularly though, so get a friend to email the Board letting them know that the complaint is there.