Equipment
Our equipment and how we manage it
The London Hackspace has a huge mix of equipment for all manner of purposes, and it grows depending on the demands of its members. It is usually owned by the LHS itself or occasionally on extended loan from a member and marked as such.
Using equipment
Assumption of competence
Most basic items of equipment do not have a training requirement, and as part of your membership it is assumed that if you're using one of these tools then you have enough skill to use it without damaging yourself, others or the tool.
Basic ability does not always imply skilled use however, so it is still recommended you look into the "proper" way to use a tool. You may learn some nifty expert tricks in the process!
Training requirements
The larger, more complex or expensive pieces of equipment will generally have training requirements to use them. This is usually at least a primer; enough to get basic use from the equipment without harming you or it. The wiki page for each piece of equipment should list the training requirements and any schedule or sign-up procedure for acquiring the training. As such you may not be able to get training on demand (e.g. at the last minute), so it's always advisable to get trained as soon as you're able for future use.
Access Control
"ACnodes" are steadily being fitted to the pieces of equipment that require training. This associates a members access card with a database of who has received training to use it, and disables the equipment if either no card is produced or the card does not show you've been trained to use the equipment in question. It's also should prevent equipment being left unattended while in use and improve usage logging.
Swapping cards with someone who is trained so you can use it counts as circumvention of a safety device and will earn you both cross words from an LHS representative.
Maintaining equipment
Maintenance
A lot of tools, particularly the more expensive or complex ones, will have one or more nominated maintainers. A piece of equipment will usually have an associated wiki page listing it. If a piece of equipment has a maintainer, do not attempt to repair or maintain it yourself without their express permission. Having a maintainer usually means the equipment has special requirements for it's upkeep that may not be obvious to even a trained user. If a piece of equipment has no maintainer, it means LHC assumes those capable of using it are also capable of doing the running maintenance to it.
Hacking and modding equipment
You are not allowed to do this. Equipment is there for everyone to use, and they expect it to be left in a standard reliable state. If "maintenance" starts to require making permanent changes to the equipment, you get permission from the mailing list first before starting work on it.
Consumables
A lot of equipment has some element that is used up in use. Basic consumables are often bought by the LHS itself, but more specialised consumables (EG; liquid nitrogen, biological reagents, laser tubes) are both infrequently purchased and expensive, so will normally require a pledge to gather funds. There are also fairly regular group-purchases arranged through the mailing list for more ad-hoc demands such as specific electrical components.
Damage and replacement
LHS assumes that unless there's an explicit training requirement that you are skilled enough to use the equipment you wish to use. If a member damages or destroys a tool through misuse that member will be expected to contribute to it's replacement or repair cost, either in full or in part depending on the situation. Damage or destruction through normal use can be considered wear & tear and will not usually be directed at the last user, though a contribution to replacement is normal.
E.g: A chisel handle breaking when being used to carve wood with a wood-mallet would likely be considered the tool wearing out and the space deciding on replacement. A chisel handle breaking because you used it as a crowbar to tear open a toaster is your fault and you'll be expected to replace it yourself.
Rule of thumb
If you're not sure about using or maintaining a piece of equipment; ask. Check the wiki, check with the maintainer, check the IRC, check the mailing list, check with a trustee. Most of all, check the rules.
Getting new equipment
Pledges
Please see the Pledges page for more in-depth information.
The most reliable method for getting new equipment for the space is the collective enthusiasm of it's members. If you think we need a piece of equipment, make a proposal on the mailing list to gauge interest. If there is interest then you create a pledge page here on the wiki and encourage people to back it with an amount toward the cost.
When the pledge goal is met, the pledging members pay their money to the LHS and the item is usually purchased by a trustee unless someone else has negotiated the purchase.
Gifts and loans
We have a wish list of items that would be very nice but haven't had enough support to purchase yet. Usually upgrades to equipment we are getting by with fine so far or sundries that don't usually necessitate a pledge.
Some people are kind enough to offer equipment to the LHS for free, either on loan (whether for a particular length of time or long-term) or entirely gifting it. Sadly we will only ever have a finite amount of storage space, and likewise only a finite demand for a tool, so not every item will be accepted. This may seem ungracious, but please check with the mailing list if we have space and demand for it before bringing it to the space.
For more in-depth information on this, see Bringing_items_to_the_space.
If you're not a member but wish to donate equipment, please contact the directors.
Current equipment
Creating an equipment page
Don't see a piece of equipment we have in the lists below? Maybe no one's created a wiki page for it yet!
If you create a page using the equipment template it will automatically create it an entry on this page. Use one of the existing sub-categories though or it won't appear. (HINT: They're the names of all the section-heading below!)
There is now a page generating template so you don't have to worry about getting the code right. You go to this link and fill in the boxes.
Don't be afraid to name the page very specifically (EG; full make & model name) as the form includes a "common name" option that will display it as such on this page.
If you're building equipment to be for or used by the space, please create it in the Equipment namespace and just include the secondary Projects infobox (link to come).
Please mark any and all former equipment as subcategory "Defunct".
All boxes should contain text information. Dark red boxes however mean that information is missing from the page in question, so unable to be displayed.
Fabrication
Located in;
Murder Kitchen |
No maintainer listed
|
Requires training
|
ACnode restricted
|
Working
|
Last updated;
12 May 2022 10:00:01 by [[]] |
CNC
Located in;
3D printer area, Ground floor |
No maintainer listed
|
Requires training
|
ACnode restricted
|
Good working order
|
Last updated;
2 September 2024 12:01:38 by [[]] |
Located in;
3D printer area, Ground floor |
Is maintained by;
Edtse88 |
Requires training
|
ACnode restricted
|
Https://london.hackspace.org.uk/members/tools.php Check the Tools Status Page
|
Last updated;
2 September 2024 12:06:51 by [[]] |
Located in;
Ground Floor, Woodshop |
Is maintained by;
Jonathan |
Requires training
|
Unknown ACnode status
|
Https://london.hackspace.org.uk/members/tools.php View tool status
|
Last updated;
19 August 2024 07:32:52 by [[]] |
Located in;
3D printer area, Ground floor |
No maintainer listed
|
Requires training
|
ACnode restricted
|
Https://london.hackspace.org.uk/members/tools.php Check the Tools Status Page
|
Last updated;
13 August 2024 12:54:20 by [[]] |
Located in;
Ground Floor, Metal Workshop |
Is maintained by;
Padski, YetiFiasco, Russ |
Requires training
|
ACnode restricted
|
Https://london.hackspace.org.uk/members/tools.php View tool status
|
Last updated;
13 November 2024 12:22:36 by [[]] |
Woodworking
Located in;
Wood shop |
Is maintained by;
Woodshop team |
Doesn't require training
|
Unrestricted
|
Good working order
|
Last updated;
21 January 2022 12:53:39 by [[]] |
Located in;
Wood shop |
Is maintained by;
Woodshop team |
Doesn't require training
|
Unrestricted
|
Good working order
|
Last updated;
13 August 2024 21:05:09 by [[]] |
Located in;
Wood shop |
Is maintained by;
Wood shop team |
Requires training
|
ACnode restricted
|
Awaiting EX2 Setup
|
Last updated;
24 September 2024 07:27:59 by [[]] |
Located in;
Wood shop |
Is maintained by;
Woodshop team |
Doesn't require training
|
Unrestricted
|
Good working order
|
Last updated;
15 November 2024 08:38:30 by [[]] |
Located in;
Wood shop |
Is maintained by;
Woodshop team |
Doesn't require training
|
Unrestricted
|
Good working order
|
Last updated;
24 June 2024 14:06:54 by [[]] |
Located in;
Wood shop |
Is maintained by;
Matthewaspinall |
Doesn't require training
|
Unrestricted
|
Good working order
|
Last updated;
20 January 2022 19:04:45 by [[]] |
Located in;
Wood shop |
Is maintained by;
Woodshop team |
Requires training
|
Unrestricted
|
Good working order
|
Last updated;
11 September 2024 13:02:30 by [[]] |
Located in;
Wood shop |
Is maintained by;
Wood shop team |
Requires training
|
ACnode restricted
|
Awaiting EX2 Setup
|
Last updated;
2 September 2024 08:17:55 by [[]] |
Located in;
Wood shop |
Is maintained by;
Woodshop team |
Doesn't require training
|
Unrestricted
|
Good working order
|
Last updated;
24 June 2024 14:53:12 by [[]] |
Located in;
Woodshop |
Is maintained by;
Woodshop team |
Doesn't require training
|
Unrestricted
|
Good working order
|
Last updated;
6 September 2024 08:24:04 by [[]] |
Located in;
Wood shop |
Is maintained by;
Woodshop team |
Doesn't require training
|
Unrestricted
|
Awaiting EX2 Setup
|
Last updated;
2 September 2024 08:18:30 by [[]] |
Located in;
Wood shop |
Is maintained by;
Woodshop team |
Requires training
|
Unrestricted
|
Good working order
|
Last updated;
2 September 2024 07:40:41 by [[]] |
Located in;
Wood shop |
Is maintained by;
Phil (cepmender), Simon Hewison |
Requires training
|
Unrestricted
|
Good working order
|
Last updated;
20 November 2024 00:08:49 by [[]] |
Located in;
Wood shop |
Is maintained by;
Woodshop team |
Requires training
|
Unrestricted
|
Good working order
|
Last updated;
6 September 2024 08:23:27 by [[]] |
Located in;
Wood shop |
Is maintained by;
Jonathan Hodgson |
Requires training
|
ACnode restricted
|
Good working order
|
Last updated;
24 June 2024 14:44:57 by [[]] |
Located in;
Wood shop |
Is maintained by;
PLAYWOOD |
Requires training
|
Unrestricted
|
Good working order
|
Last updated;
11 February 2022 08:42:29 by [[]] |
Metalworking
Located in;
Metalworking shop |
Is maintained by;
Metalshop team |
Doesn't require training
|
Unrestricted
|
Good working order
|
Last updated;
14 December 2022 08:39:16 by [[]] |
Located in;
Metalworking Shop |
Is maintained by;
Machine Shop Team, Liam, Tim and Dean |
Requires training
|
ACnode restricted
|
Awaiting EX2 Setup
|
Last updated;
2 September 2024 08:18:56 by [[]] |
Located in;
Cage |
Is maintained by;
Toby Molyneux |
Requires training
|
Unrestricted
|
Awaiting EX2 Setup
|
Last updated;
2 September 2024 08:21:19 by [[]] |
Located in;
Metalworking shop (Use only in cage) |
Is maintained by;
Toby Molyneux |
Requires training
|
Unrestricted
|
Out of Order
|
Last updated;
1 September 2022 08:52:24 by [[]] |
Located in;
Metalworking shop |
Is maintained by;
Metalshop team |
Doesn't require training
|
Unrestricted
|
Good working order
|
Last updated;
21 January 2022 12:54:36 by [[]] |
Located in;
Metalworking Shop |
Is maintained by;
Machine Shop Team - lead is Toby |
Doesn't require training
|
Unrestricted
|
Good working order
|
Last updated;
25 June 2024 11:37:23 by [[]] |
Located in;
Cage |
Is maintained by;
Machine Shop Team |
Doesn't require training
|
Unrestricted
|
Good working order
|
Last updated;
13 August 2024 21:22:21 by [[]] |
Located in;
Metalworking Shop |
Is maintained by;
Machine Shop Team - lead is Toby |
Requires training
|
ACnode restricted
|
Awaiting EX2 Setup
|
Last updated;
2 September 2024 08:21:39 by [[]] |
Located in;
Metalworking shop |
Is maintained by;
Yetifiasco |
Doesn't require training
|
Unrestricted
|
Good working order
|
Last updated;
21 January 2022 12:56:11 by [[]] |
Located in;
Cage |
Is maintained by;
Machine Shop Team |
Requires training
|
Unrestricted
|
Awaiting EX2 Setup
|
Last updated;
2 September 2024 08:21:57 by [[]] |
Located in;
Metalworking shop |
Is maintained by;
Metalshop team |
Doesn't require training
|
Unrestricted
|
Awaiting EX2 Setup
|
Last updated;
2 September 2024 08:22:10 by [[]] |
Located in;
Cage |
Is maintained by;
Metalshop team |
Doesn't require training
|
Unrestricted
|
Awaiting EX2 Setup
|
Last updated;
2 September 2024 08:22:26 by [[]] |
Located in;
Cage |
Is maintained by;
Metalshop team |
Doesn't require training
|
Unrestricted
|
Good working order
|
Last updated;
5 November 2024 13:25:07 by [[]] |
Located in;
Metalworking shop |
Is maintained by;
Tim, Des, Dean, Liam |
Requires training
|
Unrestricted
|
Awaiting EX2 Setup
|
Last updated;
2 September 2024 08:23:04 by [[]] |
Located in;
Metalworking shop |
Is maintained by;
Metalshop team |
Doesn't require training
|
Unrestricted
|
Good working order
|
Last updated;
5 September 2024 12:52:23 by [[]] |
Located in;
Metalworking shop |
Is maintained by;
Tim, Des, Dean, Liam |
Requires training
|
Unrestricted
|
Awaiting EX2 Setup
|
Last updated;
2 September 2024 08:23:39 by [[]] |
Located in;
Cage |
Is maintained by;
Metalshop team |
Doesn't require training
|
Unrestricted
|
Awaiting EX2 Setup
|
Last updated;
2 September 2024 08:23:59 by [[]] |
Located in;
Metalworking shop |
Is maintained by;
Toby Molyneux |
Requires training
|
Unrestricted
|
Awaiting EX2 Setup
|
Last updated;
2 September 2024 08:24:13 by [[]] |
Located in;
Cage |
Is maintained by;
Metalshop team |
Doesn't require training
|
Unrestricted
|
Awaiting EX2 Setup
|
Last updated;
2 September 2024 08:21:02 by [[]] |
Hand tools
Located in;
Wood shop and metal shop |
Is maintained by;
Everyone |
Doesn't require training
|
Unrestricted
|
Good working order
|
Last updated;
11 February 2022 08:27:44 by [[]] |
Power tools
Electronics
Test equipment
Located in;
Ground floor, electronics bench |
No maintainer listed
|
Training requirement unknown
|
Unknown ACnode status
|
Good working order
|
Last updated;
8 August 2022 12:12:30 by [[]] |
Located in;
Electronics area |
Is maintained by;
Artag |
Doesn't require training
|
Unrestricted
|
Good working order
|
Last updated;
13 August 2024 01:25:12 by [[]] |
Located in;
Gnd Floor Electronics Lab |
No maintainer listed
|
Training requirement unknown
|
Unrestricted
|
Good working order
|
Last updated;
27 February 2022 13:55:58 by [[]] |
Located in;
Basement, small shelves |
No maintainer listed
|
Training requirement unknown
|
Unrestricted
|
Good working order
|
Last updated;
11 October 2021 23:14:19 by [[]] |
Robotics
Location unknown
|
No maintainer listed
|
Training requirement unknown
|
Unrestricted
|
Retired and scrapped
|
Last updated;
4 August 2022 21:26:32 by [[]] |
Scientific
Biohacking
Chemistry
High voltage
Physics
Kitchen
Crafts
Is maintained by;
Chixor, Russ, Solexious |
Requires training
|
Unrestricted
|
Good working order
|
Last updated;
19 August 2022 21:58:08 by [[]] |
Located in;
1st Floor, Textiles room |
No maintainer listed
|
Training requirement unknown
|
Unknown ACnode status
|
Last updated;
14 October 2019 20:47:47 by [[]] |
Maintainance
Bike tools
Cleaning
Gardening
Office equipment
No maintainer listed
|
Doesn't require training
|
Unrestricted
|
Good working order
|
Last updated;
31 January 2022 08:51:38 by [[]] |
Computing
Systems
Located in;
Ground floor, Middle room |
Is maintained by;
Sysadmin team |
Doesn't require training
|
Unrestricted
|
Good working order
|
Last updated;
5 November 2022 15:30:54 by [[]] |
Located in;
Main comms room |
Is maintained by;
Sysadmin team |
Requires training
|
Unrestricted
|
Out of order
|
Last updated;
24 July 2024 14:00:41 by [[]] |
Located in;
A Bitfolk datacenter |
Is maintained by;
The Trustees |
Requires training
|
Unrestricted
|
Good working order
|
Last updated;
23 November 2018 17:33:32 by [[]] |
Networking
Audio/Visual
Safety
Located in;
Throughout the Hackspace |
No maintainer listed
|
Training requirement unknown
|
Unrestricted
|
Last updated;
21 October 2021 19:03:35 by [[]] |
Located in;
Throughout the Hackspace |
Is maintained by;
Fridgehead |
Doesn't require training
|
Unrestricted
|
Last updated;
21 October 2021 19:04:00 by [[]] |
Brewing
General
Former equipment
Link to page showing all equipment classed "defunct", is Defunct HERE.
