S.A.’s first makerspace: 5 things you need to know about 10BitWorks 10BitWorks to celebrate five years as S.A.’s premiere hackerspace

Jeremy Zunker looks over his collection of electronic gear at 10BitWorks on May 5, 2015. Jeremy Zunker looks over his collection of electronic gear at 10BitWorks on May 5, 2015. Photo: Photos By Tom Reel / San Antonio Express-News Photo: Photos By Tom Reel / San Antonio Express-News Image 1 of / 5 Caption Close S.A.’s first makerspace: 5 things you need to know about 10BitWorks 1 / 5 Back to Gallery

As San Antonio’s premiere makerspace, 10BitWorks has just the 3-D printers, laser cutter and other tools you need to crank out techie doodads and other creative wares. And with the nonprofit’s all-are-welcome ethic, you’re bound to get creating as soon as you walk through the door.

In recognition of 10BitWorks’ upcoming fifth anniversary, here are five things you should know about the geekie fun work space:

It’s the good kind of hacking: 10BitWorks also touts itself as hackerpace, as in a place to hack. But this isn’t the hacking that cracks bank accounts and social security numbers. 10BitWorks uses the term hacking in the hobbyist sense, where members use technology to create new hardware as well as improve and modify original hardware.

Behold 3-D printing: 3-D printing may not be new, but it isn’t exactly mainstream in the consumer market either. 10BitWorks has several makeshift 3-D printers so you can discover and learn how 3-D printed objects are made with plastic filament from bottom to top. And yes, you can take home a knickknack you printed.

Discover the tiny but mighty Arduino: If you’ve ever wanted to learn about open-source hardware and software, just ask the 10BitWorks crew about the Arduino microcontroller board. It’s at the heart of several 10BitWorks projects.

It’s not all about the tech: 10BitWorks also welcomes those who’d rather play with wooden boards instead of circuit boards. Carpentry buffs should enjoy 10BitWork’s other tools, such as a band saw, drill press and lathe.

It’s free to create, too: 10BitWorks offers free membership, which grants access to the site every Saturday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Paid memberships start at $40/month.

For more information, visit 10bitworks.com or call 210-547-0221. 10BitWorks is located at 1020 Roosevelt Ave.

To get to know the creative minds behind 10BitWorks and the many types of projects you can create there, check out the full story at ExpressNews.com.

rguzman@express-news.net

Twitter: @reneguz