Mills and kilns and lathes, oh my! Kitchener's Kwartzlab is a maker's dream

For artists and creators like Pamela Rojas, Kwartzlabin Kitchener, Ont., is a "gem inside the city."

The 9,000-square-foot space is a dreamfor makers of all sorts who don't have the room in their own housesfor large, heavy machinery like mills, lathes, looms and more.

For $62a month, members have 24/7 unlimited access to all that the Kwartzlab has to offer.

The non-profit maker society boasts a metal shop, wood shop, textiles area, electronics area, laser cutting and a "which"craft lab that houses 3D printers, a clicker pressand much more.

The Kwartzlab started 15 years ago with around 15 to 20 members.Today, it has about 180.Run by a board of seven members, president KonstantinPapadakissaidjoining the Kwartzlab is similar to a gym membership.

"You come in, you get a tour, we do a little interview process, more of a get-to-know-you kind of process." said Papadakis.

After checking with the rest of the board and members, they collectively decide whether or not someone isa good fit for the Kwartzlab.

"We are very protective of our community and our members. We want everyone to feel safe and comfortable and happy to work here," he said.

The Kwartzlab also runs a weekly open house on Tuesdays that is freeto the public. From 7 p.m to 10 p.m., people who are curious about the space are invited to come in for a tour of the facilities, meet makers and potentially learn a thing or two through a member-run workshop.

Meet some of the members

Joseph Duchesnejoined the Kwartzlabin 2019. He uses the metal shop to make custom battle robots.

But he also leans on other members to learn how to use different power tools in the lab.

"There's a community of ... experts at tinkering, at pushing the boundaries of arts and crafts and making. And so joining that community and being able to just ask simple questions that's been the most invaluable thing for me," said Duchesne.

WATCH |Joseph Duchesne shows off his battle bots made at the Kwartzlab:

These tiny combat robots are created at Kitchener's Kwartzlab

1 month ago

Duration 1:58

If you have scraps of metal and plastic laying around, you may be able to make your own robot. This is how Joseph Duchesne creates his combat robots for Bot Brawl, a robot fighting league. When he enters Kitchener's Kwartzlab, a non-profit makerspace, Duchesne enters a world of creating tiny, deadly robots.

On top of being a one-stop shop for creators, Kwartzlab also runs an artist-in-residence program. An artist is selected by the board and sponsored by a member, andgiven a free four-month membership to workon installations.

"Also to give back to the community at large and allow them to show their artwork and skills," said Papadakis.

Pamela Rojas, the currentartist in residence, has been using the space to work on large art installations made out of recycled materials like cardboard, paper rolls, dust, old tiles and more.

"I've been working for a couple of years to try to be in recycling ... givingobjects a second life," said Rojas.

WATCH |Pamela Rojas works on large art pieces made out recycled material:

Kwartzlab artist-In-Residence creates murals from cardboard and dust

25 days ago

Duration 1:50

Why recycle when you can create beauty instead? Pamela Rojas creates a variety of artwork using toilet paper rolls, egg cartons and wood dust. Shes the Artist-In-Residence at the Kwartzlab makerspace in Kitchener, where she makes her earth-friendly art projects.

Working and using machines at Kwartzlab wouldn't be possible without members who are willing to help out with modifications and improvements around the lab.

Neil Eaton has been a member for 10years and manages the wood shop. As an engineer, Eaton is used to doing technical stuff and fixing machines.

He spends a lot of his time in the the lab, working on repairs around the space.

"The opportunity to do something with my hands and to meet other people was just a great opportunity ... I fell in love with [Kwartzlab]as soon as I walked in," said Eaton.

When it was time to expand the building, Eaton was quick to offer his help with the expansion, adding walls and helping to design.

While he does work on his own projects, one of Eaton's most prized creations is a set of adjustable workbenches he recently made for the wood shop.

"Honestly, these benches are one of the things I'm proudest of," said Eaton.

WATCH | Woodshop manager Neil Eaton builds benches for Kwartzlab:

Kwartzlab woodshop a place of innovation, free tools and free wood

18 days ago

Duration 1:33

Are you pining for a community of fellow woodworkers? Neil Eaton, the woodshop manager at Kwartzlab, encourages people to join the makerspace for creative inspiration and access to free tools. One of these tools is a woodworking bench that he created to be an adjustable height.

"There's three things we offer members. One is the tools, which are obvious ... The other thing is a space," said Eaton.

"The third thing we offer is community ... we help each other out, we learn from each other just a fun group of people to hang out with."