One of the founders of HackNCraftNJ and Laptop Upcycle, Jon Bonesteel, remains active in 3D Printing in addition to his role with Laptop Upcycle. As he is passionate about the hobby, he maintains a number of personal 3D printers as well as an old Printrbot Simple Metal that remains at the lab. Jon has build three 3D printers and has a Prusa Mini+ on the way to be added to his "farm".

In support of HackNCraftNJ and Laptop Upcycle Jon will consult with you on your 3D printing needs. The basic services he will provide are:

• Printing of your 3D models, you provide the .stl file and your requirements and he will quote you a time frame and fee.
  
• 3D printer repair and upgrades, describe your issues and your type of printer and Jon will let you know if it's within his scope and what the expected repair time would be.
  
• Consulting on usage and training, Jon will help you get started and advise on issues with your printer considered training issues.
  

For reference, standard consulting/repair fees for 3D printers is around $70 per hour. At HackNCraftNJ, Jon will use this as a baseline, but he asks that these fees be donated to HackNCraftNJ in support of its mission. We will agree to a donation after your case/need is reviewed and prior to the work being done.

Any other questions or to get started, contact Jon.

HackNCraftNJ is pivoting. Following three and a half years of community support for technology, education, and making, we have learned a lot about what works in Montclair. Going forward the main focus and the resources of physical space and nonprofit status will target the technology gap and technology education. The name will change to Laptop Upcycle, which was born as a project in the space and which has seen growth in scale and momentum.

The Laptop Upcycle project and team will take responsibility for the space, located in the lower level of the United Way. Regretably the space will no longer function primarily as a Makerspace. Going forward, HackNCraftNJ will continue to maintain its online presence and meet locally or in the lab as scheduling allows. HackNCraftNJ will continue to be active in the community.
​
Laptop Upcycle’s mission of providing technology tools to low income students in Montclair will be the group’s main priority. We are pleased that this focus will help the group to expand its educational programming in the space. The timing of this change is still pending, but will most certainly be before the end of this year.

HackNCraftNJ was founded in early 2014 by Jon Bonesteel, Chuck Fletcher, Frank Gibbons, and Peter Kaplan. Together, along with valued assistance from other likeminded supporters, we set out to create a local place for those with similar interests to get together, share equipment, learn new skills, exchange ideas and work on technical projects. Our shared goal was to expand that start to reach others locally with the intention of building a community of Makers in Montclair. We are proud of the success we shared.

We participated in many community events in support of our mission, from STEM events in our local schools, to MakerFaires in Newark, West Orange, and even Queens, NY. We also offered many classes and co-working sessions at the lab in Montclair. Attendance was always great and everyone had a lot of fun. Thank you to everyone who joined us. We made a lot of friends and we learned much about tech and the market for tech labs locally.

The HackNCraftNJ 501(c)3 will be renamed to Laptop Upcycle, and the nonprofit Bylaws will be updated and filed with the State of NJ and the IRS to support this change.  After the transition is completed, HackNCraftNJ will no longer operate as a stand-alone nonprofit, but will have the opportunity to continue nonprofit oriented activities through its relationship with Laptop Upcycle.

The mission of Laptop Upcycle to provide laptops and free wifi to those who need it will be enhanced to include a number of education efforts to support the installed user base and anyone else who is interested in coding. Laptop Upcycle will expand the coding together concept we initiated with the CS50 meetup group, as we hope to build a coding community as a part of the Upcycle mission. It’s an exciting project and if you’re interested in joining it, please see the Laptop Upcycle page at http://laptopupcycle.org. 

In closing, we would simply like to share our sincere thank you to everyone who joined us and all who we met over the years. We mean this when we say, please stay in touch and continue to share your passion for learning and making.

Jon, Chuck, Frank, and Peter

In the life of any start up, be it commercial or nonprofit, there comes a point at which the entity must evolve to the next level. We at HackNCraftNJ have reached this crossroads. The four founders, Jon Bonesteel, Chuck Fletcher, Frank Gibbons, and Peter Kaplan created HackNCraftNJ as a humble place to keep our tools and work on projects together. Where we could, given our schedules, we sought out others and invited you to join us. We have created a burgeoning Maker community in Montclair and we have made great progress (sometimes in areas beyond making). Now, we would like to reach out to the Montclair community, tell our story, and ask you to join us to build a more diverse, vibrant, and engaged Maker community.
 
Our Accomplishments
 
In its roughly three year of existence, HackNCraftNJ has been steadfast in support of our mission:
 
HackNCraftNJ is a community passionate about DIY electronics, 3D printing, robotics, drones, wearables, crafts and emerging technologies.  As a nonprofit organization, we actively support local STEM education, activities and events, and provide resources at our Makerspace located in Montclair, NJ.
 
Our community has demonstrated this with a varied and constant selection of classes, open lab work times, community events, and community action in support of education in Montclair.
 
Classes
HackNCraftNJ has presented over twenty technology and craft courses in our Makerspace in the United Way building and at the Montclair Public Library. Our courses include topics such as; soldering, microcontrollers, Raspberry Pi, vinyl cutter design and usage, 3D printing and design, quad copter and drones, PVC construction, and basic electronics. Our most exciting current class is a weekly coding class that follows the Harvard University Introduction to Computer Programming (CS50).
 
Open Labs and Meetups
Every Saturday morning the HackNCraftNJ Lab is opened to the public for those who are interested in sharing their current projects or learning what we have to offer. We’ve seen some amazing projects from electronically enhanced accordions to homebrewed 3D scanners.
 
HackNCraftNJ also schedules many other Meetups which are publicized and coordinated through that Meetup application online. Our Meetup community has over 530 members and we have held over 110 Meetups! A sampling of our upcoming meetups include a weekly drone and robot group and an afternoon where we build a 3D printer.
 
Events
HackNCraftNJ members have been active in the Montclair and surrounding community promoting our mission and sharing the wonders of technology and making with the curious of all ages. You may have seen HackNCraftNJ at any of the following in the last three years; Glen Ridge First STEM Festival, The Greater Newark Museum Mini Makerfaire, Montclair Community Pre-K, NJ Makers Day, Mt Hebron Innovation Fair, Watchung School Science Fair, Trinity Academy, and Edison Day in West Orange, NJ.
 
Laptop Upcycle
Established in the Fall of 2016 as a division of HackNCraftNJ, Laptop Upcycle has grown quickly as a local charity dedicated to eliminating the technological barriers as an impediment to education in our local public schools. Laptop Upcycle has given over 70 students free laptops and have also provided free wifi routers to many low income families in Montclair.
 
Accessible Tutors
Our local partner, Accessible Tutors, is a student run organization created by the son of our founder Peter Kaplan (Owen) and has established itself as a high quality pay-what-you-can tutoring option for Montclair students and their families.
 
Infrastructure and Back Office
HackNCraftNJ is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit and is current with its federal and NJ state reporting. We rent a lab/shop space in the lower level of the United Way building in Montclair NJ. A small Board of the founding members set policy and direction with regularly scheduled meetings. Board members and nonprofit donations fund our low budget operations. Laptop Upcycle just received a grant from the Montclair Foundation in support of its mission in Montclair. HackNCraftNJ maintains an active social media and web presence.  In addition to the mentioned Meetup community we support a mailing list of another 400 interested parties.
 
The Future – Our Needs
 
HackNCraftNJ can best continue to support its mission by strategic and well managed growth. To achieve this goal, the most important and component is human capital – you. Our accomplishments to date have helped us to create an excellent core Maker organization, community, and workspace, but we need the time and financial support of like-minded local individuals to help us build a larger, more diverse, and more active local Makerspace in Montclair. If you are passionate about our mission and can assist us, please join us.
 
Specifically, here is how YOU can help.

1. Join HackNCraftNJ as a Board Member  

Board members are needed to fill three key roles for HackNCraftNJ.

• Map out our strategic vision and develop the map for how we achieve it.
• Provide financial support for the growth and implementation of the HackNCraftNJ vision.
• Help by leveraging your network/contacts to help build the Board and HackNCraftNJ

 
As you can see from our accomplishments, there are many operational areas of HackNCraftNJ. Do you have the vision and expertise to help us leverage these to create a unique Makerspace in Montclair that delivers the best content and opportunities to our community? We need to hear from you. Can you help us to create the “special sauce” that builds momentum and growth for the long term? Call us. Are you looking to fund a nonprofit project and community that delivers real world experience and education tools to all ages in Montclair? We need to talk.

2. Be an Active Technology Leader with HackNCraftNJ

Our most successful projects have resulted from volunteers that are passionate about one topic or initiative. When these Active Technology Leaders (subject matter experts) commit the time and energy in a specific area, we see success. Consider the following examples:

• Laptop Upcycle was created when three of us shared a vision of delivering technology to low income students in Montclair. We acted on that vision and leveraged the resources of HackNCraftNJ to make it happen. We made a difference.
• A HackNCraftNJ member expressed an interest in hosting a coding meetup group to learn programming with a group. We helped him set up the CS50 weekly meetup that has a weekly group of coders sharing and learning.
• An expert in the use a vinyl cutting tool wanted to teach others. We rolled out a class on it. It has now run twice and sold out each time.

Are you passionate about a topic or skill and can you volunteer as an Active Technology Leader at HackNCraftNJ? To encourage subject matter experts like you to join us, we are excited to offer you free access to the HackNCraftNJ lab if you agree to host three (3) hours a month of instruction at our Makerspace Lab. Join us!
 
Consider a short list of the topics we have had discussion on with others but have not yet acted on.

• The Montclair High School Robotics Club could use additional lab and technology support. The technology lead has discussed a possible partnership with HackNCraftNJ.
• Given appropriate physical space, HackNCraftNJ would be an excellent incubator for technology and craft businesses in Montclair. The pending renovation of the United Way building (our home) could provide exciting opportunities for local businesses and nonprofits.
• 3D design and fabrication technologies could support a stand-alone group within HackNCraftNJ.

Beyond these examples, perhaps you have your own technology, craft or maker business opportunity you want to champion? If you are an Active Technology Leader, we want to hear from you. 

3. Join HackNcraftNJ as a paying member. 

HackNCraftNJ has two types of membership, and we encourage you to join us at the level you are comfortable with.

• Friends of HackNCraftNJ support our Montclair Makerspace by a yearly tax-deductible donation of $50.
• Working Members of HackNCraftNJ join the Makerspace with the intent of working in the lab on projects and using our facility to its fullest. Various membership periods are available for working members ($30 per month, $75 for three months, or $300 for a year). 

Conclusion
 
HackNCraftNJ has a demonstrated a commitment to our mission with a focused set of successes in complementary areas in and around Montclair. The Makerspace is poised for its next stage of growth and engagement. To achieve this success and to deliver education and fun to a broader segment of our town, we need your help. Please email us to start the conversation.
 
Join Us!

Join the HackNCrafters in late June and July for a series of themed Co-Working sessions at our lab in Montclair. For each of three weeks we will open the lab in the mornings for project based learning and information sharing.

What it is -

• Weekly themed Co-working sessions 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
• Daily lesson around that theme
• A single project will be completed by the instructor, but participants are not restricted to it. Participants are encouraged to bring their own projects related to the theme.
• Co-working and skill sharing is encouraged. Think of this as an “incubator” for projects
• Access to lab equipment will be provided, and recommendations for project kits will be provided.
• Reservations for sessions are managed on meetup.com on a daily basis. You must register per day you plan on attending.
• Sessions are $20 per day.
• These sessions are open for young adults and the young at heart. We ask that parents exercise appropriate wisdom on the subject matter and their son or daughter’s ability to engage on the topic.

What it is NOT -

• This is not a “camp” where parents may drop off their kids.
• Other than a daily lesson around the theme, this is not a class. There should not be an expectation of instruction beyond the described lesson and friendly co-working.
• Parents are encouraged to utilize the work space/room next to the HackNCraft lab to work or socialize, and they may not leave other than perhaps for a pop in to the library (next door) for a snack or coffee. The work space is a clean and open work plan space  with access to free WiFi, desks, and rest rooms.
• This is not a beginners course for students that have no knowledge of the topic.

​Participants should identify their own suitable project(s) prior to the week they attend. HackNCraftNJ staff are happy to advise on this topic, but the responsibility for this step is that of the student. If at all possible, also obtain the necessary parts prior to the first session. These co-working sessions require a high level of personal commitment to the project chosen. HackNCraftNJ will help as much as possible and engage the students on issues as appropriate, but we are not responsible for student projects.

A word about materials and electronics kits - both RaspberryPi and Arduino starter kits are readily available online or locally at Microcenter in Paterson. We are happy to advise you on what makes sense for you depending on your goals for the class. Just let us know.

​Week 1 - Raspberry Pi (June 27-June 30)

• Instructor project will be a Raspberry Pi based mobile robot
• Student project ideas: https://learn.adafruit.com/category/raspberry-pi or http://makezine.com/category/technology/raspberry-pi/
• Day 1 lesson: Up and running (configure an OS)
• Day 2 lesson: User interface, basic Unix commands and system config
• Day 3 lesson: Programming options, Scratch, Python
• Day 4 lesson: Installing packages, multimedia, gaming

Week 2 - Arduino (July 11- July 15)

• Instructor project will be a wearable Arduino (Flora) project
• Student project ideas: http://makezine.com/category/technology/arduino/ or https://learn.adafruit.com/category/learn-arduino
• Day 1 lesson: Up and running (download IDE and configure)
• Day 2 lesson: About circuits
• Day 3 lesson: Libraries and the serial interface
• Day 4 lesson: Programming electronics overview

Week 3 - 3D Printing and Fabrication  (July 18- July 21)

• Instructor project is TBD
• Day 1 lesson: Basic fabrication ideas and PVC
• Day 2 lesson: 3D printing overview
• Day 3 lesson: design options and primer TinkerCAD
• Day 4 lesson: Silhouette Cameo introduction

Formal sign up for the Summer Themed Co-working Sessions will open up on June 15, 2016. If you have questions about the sessions, please contact us at makers@hackncraftnj.org.

To be filed under, "If we build it, they will come."

The HackNCraftNJ co-founders (Frank, Chuck, Peter, and Jon) have secured a temporary Makerspace in the United Way building on 60 South Fullerton Avenue in Montclair, NJ.  The United Way organization has graciously provided the basement space to us at a reduced rate as they work to enhance the physical plant of the building.  We're here now, and we have until June of this year to create our initial version of the Montclair Makerspace and determine if we have enough interest, members, and investors for the next, larger and more expansive version.

We welcome you to review our Makerspace 1.0 summary to understand how we plan on executing this "proof of concept".  For now, we've moved in our initial set of tools and projects and we're gearing up for a limited membership release in early March 2015.  We will offer our first memberships to a small group on a selective basis for a nominal fee.  We are looking for members to help build our infrastructure and support our mission, so your ability to assist us in addition to just joining is key..  To that goal, we encourage any interested party to complete the Volunteer Form and let us know where your strengths and interests lie.

Here's a small gallery of what the lab currently looks like:

At our "Barn Raising" a week ago, Steve Long took a few shots of us all and some of the things we showed off.  Here they are:

So, no doubt you've already had a look at the Makerspace 1.0 page, but let us build that down to our key success factors.

• Create and support "communities".  In a Makerspace and technology/creative community we all have different interests, passions, and talents.  Where a group of people share the same interest, those people can work together to build and share their knowledge.  We call those groups "communities".  The co-founders and those who have joined us at meet ups at Just Jake's in the past year or so have a good start on a few of these (e.g. 3D printing and design, RaspberryPi and Arduino, coding, fixing and repair, new technologies, HAM radio).  However, this is not enough to build and expand our reach.  We need to enable and encourage additional communities within our Makerspace and HackNCraftNJ.
• People.  To realize our growth goals and to make the jump to our Makerspace 2.0 this Summer, we will need people, passionate people who are willing to commit their time and effort to the realization of our success.  That means YOU.  If you want to help and you can, contact us.  We're happy to talk to you about how we can make it happen.
• Partnerships.  We understand that relationships help create the opportunities for growth.  To date we have worked effectively with the Montclair Public Library, Mt Hebron Middle School, the Montclair High School, Watchung Elementary School, The Montclair Coop School, The Montclair Adult School, L3 Academy, and others.  If you or your organization has an idea to work with us to enhance opportunities for us both, please contact us.
• Events.  We've participated in many local Makers events from the Mt Hebron Innovation Faire, to the Montclair Community Pre-K technology Open House, to a presentation to the Montclair HS STEM Small Learning Community.  We have plans to present and participate in the NJ Makers Day on March 21st and the second Mt Hebron Innovation Faire on May 30th.

That's about it for now.  We'll post updates here, but please also follow us on the various "social" media outlets:

Twitter - @hackncraftnj
Instagram - @hackncraftnj
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/hackncraftnj

Thanks!

The HackNCraftNJ Crew

Hang tight, we're looking to get this going!