Maker Movement tunes up, takes off

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Most people are content to leave the development of new technology or the manufacturing of products they desire to the professionals. But then there are those few who have a passion for solving problems themselves, taking the time to learn new skills and applying their ingenuity – with perhaps a dash of obsession – to crafting their own products. These people are called, “Makers.”

Recently, a smattering of these creative individuals banded together to form the Clarksville Maker Group.

The group was founded by Peter Kallas and Steve Denvers. Kallas, having moved to Clarksville from Maine in 2014 to work for Trane, was keen to connect with local makers. He discovered a maker group based in Nashville, but the inconvenience of the drive found him considering forming a group closer to home. He was wearing a T-shirt bearing the logo of his sign design business, PK3, when he crossed Denvers’ path.

“In 2012, I started a maker space here in Clarksville, but we had to shut it down. But I always knew it would come back around,” Denvers said. “I was over at the store next to my antiques mall one day and saw Peter wearing his T-shirt – it said he did prototyping and 3D printing. I approached him and said we needed to talk.”

Their discussions led to the loose formation of the group, and the setup of a Facebook page. They began to meet at one another’s houses, sharing projects, discussing ideas – a relatively informal arrangement that didn’t really suit their shared plans for a maker group.

“We figured we needed to get into a routine – and the first hurdle we ran across was we couldn’t really go on just meeting at each other’s houses – having strangers over to your house could get a little bit awkward,” Kallas said. “The next meeting we had at a Mexican restaurant, and nine people showed up, which was pretty good. But we started to talk about meeting at the library.”

Particularly in the last decade or so, libraries have adapted to become more than just depositories for books. The Clarksville-Montgomery County Public library has long been committed to embracing the variety of interests and requirements the community needs – hosting sci-fi and fantasy expos, providing access to free genealogical software, language programs, and music downloads, among many others.

On Tuesday, Oct. 6, the library will begin hosting the Clarksville Maker Group once a month.

“A lot of people are interested in learning, and we wanted a spot where we could tell people we were meeting once a month,” Kallas said.

This first library-based meeting of the maker group will be largely focused on 3D printing. Between manufacturers producing lower-priced home 3D printing machines, and access to open-source files for 3D printing products becoming more prevalent, the practice is becoming popular throughout the world.

“Our goal for this next meeting is teaching people more about what goes into 3D printing,” Kallas said. “Where to get programs, maybe talking about what they can do to set something up themselves.”

The pair are keen to point out, however, that this isn’t simply a group for those interested in 3D printing – rather it’s an opportunity for people with a variety of skill sets to meet and share their knowledge.

“It’s funny, because 3D printing is kind of the buzz word in a lot of groups, but we’ll dedicate time at the meetings for people to talk about what skills they have to offer, or discovering what they’d like to learn, ” Denvers said.

“Steve was actually the one who taught me how to weld,” added Kallas. “We had one guy from the last meeting who held a garage day teaching people how to cast bullets.”

This free exchange of ideas and skill-sets is at the crux of the group’s goals. Whether members’ skills are in sewing, manufacturing, electronics, sculpting – it’s all about connecting with other makers, learning something new, creating something cool.

“Where we’d like it to go is have our monthly meeting at the library, and then in between have shop days or garage days,” Kallas said. “But that really comes down to ideally having our own space.”

Finding the group it’s own space for housing projects and equipment or hosting their tutorials for anybody who wants to learn remains one of their primary challenges. In the meantime, they’re encouraging anybody and everybody with a passion – or even a healthy curiosity – for the maker movement to join them at the library. One thing they’re particularly keen to attract is diversity.

“At the moment, a lot of maker groups seem to bring in a very narrow gender and race group,” Denvers said. “We’re passionate about breaking those barriers.”

Clarksville Maker Group

WHAT: Like-minded people interested in making things and learning new skills.

WHEN: Meets at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6.

WHERE: Clarksville-Montgomery County Public Library, first-floor study room.