Welcome to Chico Fab Lab
New to CFL? This page is the launchpad and living reference for tours, tools, and community knowledge.
Wednesdays 5-7 PM and by arrangement. Join Discord for updates, tours, and pop-up workshops.
On This Page
- Quick Start
- Safety and Certification
- Tool Zones and Capabilities
- Community and Learning
- Stay in the Loop
- Contribute to This Page
- What to Bring
- Resources
Quick Start
- Say hello on Discord and tell us what you want to build.
- Stop by during open hours for a tour.
- Get certified on the tools you want to use.
- Start a project and share progress with the community.
Safety and Certification
Most equipment requires certification before use. Ask a volunteer or follow training announcements on Discord.
Tool Zones and Capabilities
Wood Shop
Saws, sanders, and hand tools for furniture, props, and prototypes.
Metal Shop
Fabrication tools for brackets, frames, and custom hardware.
CNC Wood
Computer-controlled routing for precise cuts and joinery.
CNC Metal (Plasma)
CNC plasma cutting for steel and aluminum.
Sand Blaster
Surface prep and finishing for metal and wood projects.
Electronics + Software
Soldering, microcontrollers, automation, and custom software.
Other shop favorites
- 3D printing and laser cutting
- Project workstations, hand tools, and shared materials
- Members with deep experience in hardware, software, and systems
Community and Learning
We share knowledge openly and help each other build better. Whether you are brand new or an experienced maker, you will find people willing to collaborate and teach.
Stay in the Loop
- Discord is our main hub for questions, updates, and events.
- YouTube channel is in progress for project walkthroughs and tutorials.
- Share your work so we can feature it on the kiosk and in updates.
Contribute to This Page
This is a living reference page. Add your zone, events, and tips so newcomers can find what they need.
Help improve this documentation by submitting a pull request on GitHub.
What to Bring
- A project idea (or just curiosity)
- Laptop + charger if you have one
- Closed-toe shoes for shop areas
Resources
- Task dashboard project: tasksdashboard
- Kiosk notes: CFL Kiosk
- Main site repo: chicofablab.github.io