Creative space upgrades to version 2.0
Hacker/maker CrashBang Labs’ new site
REGINA — CrashBang Labs’ new downtown location is already crammed with electronics equipment, tools and random computer parts.
But don’t call it junk, since everything there can be used to make something.
“It’s items to cater to almost every avenue of making. We have an electronics lab, woodworking workshop, craft area ...” said president James Evans, who was unpacking at CrashBang’s new location, at 2532 11th Ave. The grand opening is this Saturday.
CrashBang is a hacker/maker space that’s open 24/7 to members who need a place where they can work on any kind of project that involves making things.
Over the past five years, labs such as this have been popping up in cities around the world, including CrashBang, which brought the maker movement to Regina when it was founded in 2012.
Of course the word hacker comes with all sorts of negative connotations, but Evans explained its original meaning is something much less sinister.
“The actual definition of the term is somebody who accomplishes a task in a new or unique way,” he said.
If you’re still confused, think back to that scene in the movie Apollo 13 when the astronauts need to make a square air filter fit into a round hole using objects from around the space ship to lower their carbon dioxide levels.
“That would be an example of a hardware hack,” said Evans.
“Modifying a tool to use it in a way that it wasn’t originally intended to be used.”
CrashBang has between 30 and 35 members, a number which was decreasing before the lab changed locations.
The lab was previously located next to The Exchange on 8th Avenue, but that place only came with a meagre 250 square feet of space. The new downtown location is a significant upgrade, offering approximately 1,900 square feet.
The extra space will allow for more group projects, as well as regular programming for those interested in specific subjects such as 3D printing or Bitcoin mining. There will also be a lounge for those late-night brainstorming sessions.
Some of the projects members currently have underway include a Rune Goldberg machine, a homemade 3D printer and a soundproof studio. Evans said memberships have already started to go up since the move downtown.
Rick Martens, who sits on the board at CrashBang and is the group’s 3D printer guru, initially signed up because of the access it gave him to 3D printing machines.
“I wanted to go to a maker space to use the tools, because they have a lot of tools I don’t have,” said Martens, who has already made the upper floor of the building the headquarters for 3D printing.
Tours at the new location are from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, and then an opening party begins at 7 p.m.
Memberships at CrashBang are available for a $30 monthly fee, or $300 annually. Associate memberships are available for those under age 18.
“IT’S ITEMS TO CATER TO ALMOST EVERY AVENUE OF MAKING. WE HAVE AN ELECTRONICS LAB, WOODWORKING WORKSHOP, CRAFT AREA …” JAMES EVANS