A major attraction of makerspaces is the eye-watering tools they have on offer. As well as traditional shop tools such as drills, sanders and soldering irons, many makerspaces have invested in the latest technology, making it possible for amateurs to create professional-grade objects. The tools below are among the showpieces of any well-kitted out makerspace.
What it does: Prints 3D objects from Computer Aided Design (CAD) files
What you can make: Chemical models, spare parts, fine art sculptures
Suppliers: MakerBot, Printrbot, Stratasys, Bits from Bytes
Price: $700-2200
What it does: Cuts a variety of flat-sheet material including acrylic, wood, aluminium, vinyl, textiles, paper
What you can make: Free standing structures, jewellery, ornaments
Suppliers: Full Spectrum, Epilog, Trotec, Universal Laser Systems
Price: $1,800-20,000
What it does: Gathers 3D digital data on an object’s shape and appearance
What you can make: Digital 3D models of scanned objects
Suppliers: Konica, Creaform, NextEngine
Price: $3,000-40,000
What it does: Cuts, drills, shapes and engraves materials including wood, acrylic and vinyl
What you can make: Furniture, models, puzzles
Suppliers: Haas, Milltronics, Fadal, Makino, Mori Seiki
Price: $30,000-200,000
What it does: Creates holes and fastens materials such as wood, glass and plastics
What you can make: Bird houses, wind chimes, beads
Suppliers: Jet, Milwaukee, Delta
Price: $300-1,500
What it does: Cuts a variety of materials including wood, metal and acrylic
What you can make: Boxes, custom veneer, serving trays
Suppliers: Jet, Milwaukee, Proxxon
Price: $100-2,000