Our Space
Our space is where we meet, keep our tools and do really stuff. Hopefully this will give you some background of where we are located, what we have in terms of equipment and where everything is.
Location
The location of Chatt*lab is in the Hamilton County Business Development Center at the corner of Cherokee Blvd and Manufacturers.
Address
Our address is:
Chatt*lab Makerspace
100 Cherokee Blvd; STE 125
Chattanooga, TN 37405
How to get to our door
The easiest way to get to our door is to access the BDC lot from the Manufacturers entrance. Go to the alley between the BDC and the Heaven and Ale Brewery. Our door is accessible from that alley. If it's not open, ring the doorbell. Please note that you can't park in the BDC lot during business hours without a parking pass. See Parking for more info on this.
Parking
Parking is one of the most common questions we have to answer. The BDC parking lot is by permit only during business hours. After 5pm or on weekends, it is okay to park there. You won't be towed. During business hours there are other alternatives including the triangle lot across the railroad tracks (near FoodWorks), the Republic Parking lot which you can stay all day for $6. But Please do not park in the BDC lot during business hours. You will get towed, and our landlords will not be happy. We want to be honorable tenants.
Space Layout
Here are some details of our space. It's 5,000 square feet and has the following areas:
- Meeting Space
- Metal Lab
Meeting Space
This general area is where we meet, watch movies, host LAN parties, teach workshops or work on projects at a table or workbench. The configuration can change from time to time. Here are some of the features of this space:
- Tables - The tables can be moved or removed as needed. Please make sure they're clean after you're done.
- Workbenches - These benches allow for more robust work. One of them is used primarily for soldering and electronics.
- Shelves - Our shelves have tools and materials available for member use. Return tools to their proper location.
- Front Projector - There is a projector for multimedia presentations. See here for instructions.
- Side Projector - There is another projector for an additional screen. See here for instructions.
- Soundbar Audio system - The soundbar can be used for presentations or just cranking tunes. Instructions.
- Fire Cabinet - All highly combustible items is to be stored in our flame cabinet. Keep door closed when not using.
Metal Lab
This room is where we do our metal work using some specialized equipment. Check the Metal Shop department for the equipment available.
Loading Bay
This area is where we
- Load large items from the street that are wider than 3 feet.
- Store some of our long metal stock.
- Do our general welding
- Do our painting and staining of things that stink (stains, spray paint, etc).
When welding or painting/staining, there's a sliding door that can be pulled closed to prevent dangerous arcs from damaging others' eyes and to keep the smell limited to that area. The door can be opened as necessary to get fresh air to the person working.
Corridor
The Corridor is just a pass through from the BDC hallway to the main space, but we utilize part of this area for several items including
Snacks
Our Snacks are purchased from bulk suppliers and sold at or near cost. We don't have a formal snack machine, so things are laid out for purchase with the honor system. There's a bucket for bills, and a bucket for change. The soda machine charges 50 cents per can.
Card Catalog
Here we have all kinds of consumables used here and there. The index below may help locate what you're looking for in the drawers
Item Row Column Duct Tape 5 3 Zip Ties 5 2 C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 R1 Door Parts Theadlock Epoxy Glue Index Cards R2 String Hot Glue Guns Super Glue Gorilla Glue R3 Avery Labels Hot Glue Sticks Magnets Rubber Bands R4 Ziplock Bags Post-it Notes Cable Ties Dymo Labels R5 Nitrile Gloves Batteries Wood Pencils Staples Small Duct Tape Steel Wool R6 Tacks Brushes Scissors Dry Erase Markers Aluminum Tape Pens R7 Shims Altoids Tins T-bolts and Knobs Double Stick Tape Color Markers R8 Sanding Disks Sanding Pads Silica Gel Packs Scotch Tape Sharpies R9 Easter Eggs Tape 1/4“ Heatshrink HeatShrink Tubing R10 Electrical Tape R11 Straws R12 Fire Extenguishers Sign Packing Tape Label doc: cardcataloglabels.xlsx
- Member Storage. Each member is supplied a 27 gallon bin to keep their personal property and supplies. If you don't have yours yet, look for an empty bin with a blank label on it and write your name on it.
- Pull-A-Part salvage yard. These shelves contain parts that we have been given, salvaged or dumpster dived. All parts are for your projects. Take it and make it.
CircuitLab
FabLab
The FabLab gives us the ability to bring our ideas into physical form. We mainly use 3D printers for Modeling and Laser Cutters for 2D Cutouts.
MetalLab
PCLab
Pc-Lab Mission Statement
The PC-Lab provides Computers and working spaces to help facilitate classes and projects that further the ChattLab Mission statement. Secondarily we like to have the lab for a co-working space where you can catch up on some work. Finally, it's a great place to hang!
The PC-Lab provides the following services.
- Classroom Services (With Computers, Working areas and possible future soldering / electronic stations)
- Co-working space (A place to setup your laptop or use a Chatt-Lab workstation) This is secondary to the primary function. During classes you may be asked to leave
- Hanging area ( A place to chill ) ** This is tertiary to all other functions. If your activity is disturbing to the other two functions, you may be asked to leave until they are complete.
- Group - Entertainment time to hang while playing video games, watching movies or other activities.
Fablab
The FabLab gives us the ability to bring our ideas into physical form. We mainly use 3D printers for Modeling and Laser Cutters for 2D Cutouts.
Rules
- Do not leave trash in the FabLab!
- If you are working on a project and must leave, please leave a dated note to prevent others from disturbing it. If a project is without a note, has been left longer that 48 hours, or is an obstruction to others' projects, it may be moved.
- Leave the existing workstations in the same state as they were before you used them. Software updates and new software for your projects are fine. If a new program starts an item on boot, please disable it.
- Report any maintenance issues as soon as possible. This includes the facility, hardware and software.
- If you wish to use other operating systems, only run them off removable media. The PCs have software that is expensive and its integrity should be respected.
- Do not use the PCs to view pornographic material. Neither members nor their guests should be made to feel uncomfortable.
- Do not set the heat higher than 25C. This is to prevent damage to hardware and ensure the comfort of members.
Clean Up
- Return chairs to the workstations if you move them.
- Leave a clear area for others to work on repair if you are working on a hardware project.
- If you see trash, throw it out, even if it is not yours.
- If something presents a trip hazard, please move it.
- Turn off the lights if you are the last person to leave.
Equipment
PC Lab Computers
Computer RAM HDD GPU Model Service Tag Benchmark Picard 4GB, PC3-128000 250GB GTX 650 Sleeper N/A 500 Riker 4GB, PC3-128000 250GB Quadro K620 Optiplex 7010 2L8QCZ1 500 Data 4GB, PC3-128000 250GB Quadro K620 Optiplex 7010 2KPRCZ1 500 Troi 4GB, PC3-128000 250GB Quadro K620 Optiplex 7010 3F0BP22 500 Worf 4GB, PC3-128000 250GB Quadro K620 Optiplex 7010 5T1DFZ1 500 Crusher 4GB, PC3-128000 250GB Integrated Optiplex 7010 2W08X12 500 LaForge 4GB, PC3-128000 250GB Integrated Optiplex 7010 2KQRCZ1 500 Gunan 4GB, PC3-128000 250GB Integrated Optiplex 7010 6G07BZ1 500 Q 4GB, PC3-128000 250GB Integrated Optiplex 7010 70Y4BZ1 500 Yar 4GB, PC3-128000 250GB Integrated Optiplex 7010 F9DQCZ1 500 Printers
- laser printer
- color poster printer
Frequently Asked Questions
Support Contacts
| Contact Link | Description |
|---|---|
| Equipment/Material Request | This form will allow members to request new equipment or supplies. |
| Wiki Updates | Click here to report something wrong with the FabLab page. |
WoodLab
The WoodLab is a nearly fully functional woodshop, including a paint booth. This page outlines many of the pieces of equipment, ways of reaching out for help as well as reference materials used to support the WoodLab.
If you use this area, please be sure to be famliar with all of the posted rules..