Remember these? They’re supposed to make a bunch of copies of any CD or DVD. We grabbed it from the curb because it looked like it might have useful parts. Someone found a better use for it. Turns out, these are pretty much standard computers running Windows XP Embedded...

I’m pretty sure that installing a solar panel under a shade tree defeats the whole purpose, right? Seen in Kansas City…...

A handful of C.H.I.P. $9 computers showed up from https://getchip.com/. They should make great headless servers for all kinds of projects — I’m thinking of our RFID door access and maybe some robotics projects. I will be playing with one during our Arduino club meetup this evening. Come down...

The art show yesterday was a lot of fun. Huge thanks to our sponsors — Twisted Vine Brewery, Hurricane Grill, and Source Allies — and, of course, to the artists. Thanks also to all of you who came to support us! Attendance was light, but it was a lively...

I stopped in Habitat ReStore on a whim. I mean, I buy a lot of stuff there, but I wanted to check out their new location in Urbandale. Turned out they had a turning machine! Not a turing machine — a lathe. The price was right, and it came...

DSM Art Week overlaps with DSM Beer Week. There’s a new brewery in town. Area515 had huge interest in our art show ~6 months ago. So, we combined all of the above! We’re holding an unconventional art show at Twisted Vine, the new brewery opening in West Des Moines,...

Serious question: How much sodium hydroxide can I buy without getting arrested? Will ordering it online automatically land me on FBI watch lists? We’ve been playing with a donated Stratasys Dimension 768, and it prints great — but we don’t want to pay for the Stratasys “detergent” that is...

We have a full class schedule coming up over the next few months! All events are at 1731 Grand Avenue and free to the public unless otherwise noted. February 6th: Girls in Science 10am-4pm at SCI Intro to Blender 1-3pm – watch the calendar for additional CAD classes! February...

A snow day is the perfect time to clean out your workshop. Do you have tools you no longer use, or tools that were replaced by an upgrade? Just like any workshop, as Area515 continues to grow we are always looking for “that next tool”. If you have a...

The art show Saturday drew nearly 100 visitors to the Des Moines Maker Space to see what artists can produce using modern technology. From 3D printed jewelry to multi-layered pieces cut on our laser cutter, several of the booths demonstrated the possibilities of CNC machines. An interactive pixel art...