What is TinkerMill and how does it operate?
TinkerMill is a 501(c)(3) community nonprofit MakerSpace in Longmont, Colorado.
We have around 800 members that contribute to our MakerSpace, about 40 of which are dedicated volunteer Shop Captains that manage our shops and are our resident experts. We only have three full-time staff that direct and manage TinkerMill general operations. TinkerMill members can access our facilities and once certified in the shops or on specific equipment can use them independently.
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When can I visit TinkerMill?
Our members host Sunday Public Tours every Sunday 2-4pm. There is no need to register, just come on by. If you have additional inquires regarding TinkerMill that are not answered on this FAQ page, it’s best to email us at info@tinkermill.org
*If you are a member, your key fob will default to 7am-12pm facility access. Members can also take an overnight access quiz online to gain 24/7 access.
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Can I bring my kids? Does TinkerMill have age restrictions?
Absolutely you can bring your kids! We do need all minors to be accompanied by their legal guardian and supervised at all times.
If pursuing membership, all minors need to be on a Household bundle with a legal guardian. Each shop also has specific age restrictions for classes and shop/equipment usage. Please visit tinkermill.org/kids-at-tinkermill for more information.
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How can I become a member?
We highly recommend coming by for a Sunday Public Tour before signing up, to check out in person what we offer and learn more about us from one of our members. You can also find more detailed information such as costs and membership tiers at the link here. That webpage is also where everyone signs up using the provided links for each of the onboarding steps:
1) Sign your waiver/membership agreement
2) Complete your membership profile and pay your initiating dues
3) Register for and attend a New Member Orientation
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Does TinkerMill have day passes so I can drop in to use the equipment?
We do not have day passes but it is on our wishlist for future TinkerMill. Because all our instructors are volunteers or independent contractors usually with day jobs and families, they are not at TinkerMill on a daily or regular basis, and our very small staff is administrative only. At this time anyone using TinkerMill’s shops/tools/equipment must be a member and certified by taking a class (or classes) as well. This process typically takes anywhere from 1-4 weeks depending when the New Member Orientation sessions and certification classes are scheduled. It can potentially take longer if you need multiple certifications, depending on instructors’ availability.
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I have something to donate – does TinkerMill want it?
We owe a lot to our generous supporters and community members that have donated so much of the equipment and materials we have today. However, all donations must be approved before TinkerMill can accept them. Our space is limited and we need to make sure it’s something that we can use before taking it on. Please email info@tinkermill.org with details and photos of what you are looking to donate. Thank you so much!
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How can I volunteer at TinkerMill?
We don’t currently have a volunteer program and do not offer nonmembers to volunteer at this time. TinkerMill is made great by our wonderful members that choose to volunteer their expertise and time, typically self-initiated when they see a need arise. Sometimes TM staff or volunteer Shop Captains have specific requests such as volunteering for events or improvement efforts, and they will share these opportunities with our members on our Slack workspace. However, documentation for volunteering is not provided at this time.
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I have a project and want to see if TinkerMill can help me with it?
TinkerMill itself cannot facilitate project requests for liability reasons and because we have a limited, very small staff that are not experts within our individual shops. We exist for YOU to be able to learn how to make your vision come to life using the equipment and classes TinkerMill provides. Being a part of our TinkerMill community by being a member or patron, can allow you access to our community via our Slack workspace where you could try to connect with someone to help, but there are no promises as many of our members are still honing in on their skills or actively working on their own projects. We hope to have a resource directory of local resources and of our members that have a business and would be open to being contacted with requests in the near future.
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Is the TinkerMill space available for meetings or small groups? I.e. Are we able to rent out a room or a space?
Our shops are not able to be rented out, but we do have a 19’x35’ event space that is available for renting for an event or class. You can find our policy agreement and submission form at the webpage linked here.
*Please note TinkerMil’s event space is moving this summer and currently anticipating August without availability. The new event space size and details are still being determined.
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How can I get on TinkerMill’s Slack workspace?
All our members can access our Slack workspace after attending a New Member Orientation as a perk of their membership dues, but we do have a TinkerMill Patron option that nonmembers can sign up for at $10/month to access it as well. Please find more information and sign up at the link here.
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How do I purchase a gift card? Can the recipient use the gift card toward membership?
Gift cards cannot be used toward membership with our systems, however, you can purchase gift cards for classes or shop fees. Oftentimes taking classes at TinkerMill is a great way for potential members to dip their toes in before committing to a membership, or just for the learning experience! You can also purchase an annual membership for your loved one, or commit to paying their monthly membership dues. You can find more information about both and submit a request at the link here.
Can anyone take a class at TinkerMill?
Nonmembers are welcome to take classes at TinkerMill! (Our Machine Shop is the only shop you must be a member in order to participate in the classes.)
Become a member and you can receive about a 25% discount on all TinkerMil class offerings!
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What is a “certification” class?
Certification classes are meant for our members to earn independent access to a particular shop or piece of equipment. They are typically just the basics of how to operate in our shops safely and as a member of the shop community. You do not need to be a member to take a certification class, but only members can access the shops/equipment following the certification class.
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Can my kids take classes at TinkerMill?
Yes, depending on the age requirements of the class! Minors do require their legal guardian to at the very least supervise while at TinkerMill, and some classes require a legal guardian to also sign up and participate in the class as well. Generally the class listing will include age requirements in the class description, or a list of requirements can be found at the link here. If it is not clear, please reach out to the instructor.
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I registered for a class and need to cancel it or transfer to another date; how do I do that?
Please contact the instructor of your class. The instructor should be listed on your original class listing that you can locate at the link here. If you click the button to “Contact the event organizer”, your message will be sent to a general email inbox that may take longer to get to your instructor than contacting them directly. Please note our general cancellation policy:
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If I sign up for a class and am put on the waitlist, will I move to a seat automatically if one opens up? Will I be notified?
It is not super frequent that a seat will open up, but it happens! You will not be automatically added to the waitlist, but the instructor will email the waitlist if a seat opens up and it will be first come first served. If you register for a future date as well, you can ask the instructor to transfer your registration.
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Is TinkerMill closed or are classes canceled because of the weather?
At the facility and organization level, TinkerMill doesn’t have snow days. Our weather policy is that we leave it up to each individual (instructors and participants) to decide for themselves if the weather would preclude their safely getting to and from the space and we encourage everyone to do what they feel is safest for themselves. If an instructor feels that they can’t (or shouldn’t) hold the class, they will cancel the event providing as much notice as possible via email (or Slack if you’re a member). If you’re curious about the status of specific class or event, we encourage you to reach out to the event host via Slack if you’re a TinkerMill member, or the email contact on the class listing description.
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Can I teach at TinkerMill?
We encourage our members to teach classes or workshops if they are proficient at a skill. If it is related to one of our existing shops, discussion and permission will need to be given by a Shop Captain. We also have our event space that can be used for classes/workshops not relating to a particular shop and will need to be approved by our admin. Volunteer instructors are covered by TinkerMill’s insurance, but paid instructors will need to have $1M in liability insurance with a certificate listing TinkerMill as additional insured. Members, please reach out to staff@tinkermill.org for more information.
*We cannot offer nonmember instructors through TinkerMill at this time but hope to in the coming future. You are welcome to submit a request to rent our event space to host your class there independently at the link here.
Can I store my project at TinkerMill?
We don’t offer project storage at TinkerMill. We do have some exceptions such as offices occasionally open for a monthly space license for a fee (varied pricing), or covered back bays as well ($20/day or $500/month). This is an option for members only.
Our Stained Glass Shop also offers storage shelving for in-progress projects for members while supplies last. Our Pottery studio also has a shelving system for in-progress work as projects go through their various process/firing stages. Our Woodshop allows glue-ups to remain up to 24 hours with an attached note so long as it does not impede others using the shop.
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How can I reserve a tool or shop?
Members receive a TinkerMill Google account to be able to access our collective Google calendar to reserve certain tools and machinery. You must first attend a New Member Orientation to receive your account with instructions on how to use it. If you have already attended the New Member Orientation and received your account information, you can find a how-to video at the link here.
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Does TinkerMill have materials I can use?
Some shops do have materials available to purchase, and some shops you are expected to bring your own. It depends what makes most sense for each individual shop based on their budget and space for storage. You can find a list of our available “consumables” (ie materials on hand) on the individual shop pages at TinkerMill.org under “Shops” and “Cost of Shop”.
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I already know how to use a particular tool or shop that requires certification. Do I still need to take the regular certification class(es)?
Yes. The intent of the classes for certification-required tools and machines is to make sure that everyone is on the same page for general safety, to provide individual familiarization with the specific tools and machines TinkerMill has on hand, and to share the policies and general operations of that particular shop. We intentionally keep the cost and duration of our basic certification classes as low as possible to make sure everyone can participate.
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I used to be a TinkerMill member and I would like to rejoin. What do I need to do? Do I need to take the certification classes again?
Welcome back! It’s possible that some things have changed while you were gone, so please follow the onboarding process as a new member at http://www.tinkermill.org/membership
When you submit your new membership agreement, please note that you’re a rejoining member in the provided field. Please expect up to 72 hours to be reactivated. If it has been more than two years since you were a member, you will be expected to attend a New Member Orientation again to earn back your key fob.
You will not need to retake your certification classes in the very large majority of cases unless there has been substantial changes to the machinery, shops, or certification curriculum. In these cases, there is usually no extra charge. In some shops where safety is more of a concern and it has been several years since you have used the shop, you may need to get recertified. Please reach out to a Shop Captain if it’s been a long time to ask about their policies.
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I’m a member and I’ve attended the New Member Orientation, but I forgot how to access Slack. How do I do that?
You should have received instructions on how to join our Slack workspace in your “post orientation “email the night of your New Member Orientation. If you did not receive it, please email membership@tinkermill.org to resend it as it includes a lot of important information including these instructions. We won’t post it here for our account security.
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How do I make an adjustment to my membership, or change the credit card used to pay my membership dues?
Please email membership@tinkermill.org to assist you. Thanks!
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How do I pause or cancel my membership?
Please use the form at the link here at least 72 hours in advance from your renewal date.
I am cancelling my membership, can I get a refund for my membership dues since the renewal just happened or because I haven’t used the membership?
We cannot refund membership dues for any reason other than clerical error. Members must let us know at least 72 hours prior to their membership renewal to request a cancellation. As a nonprofit, this policy has been set to avoid lost transaction fees and administrative expenses.
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What are ways I can contribute to TinkerMill beyond my membership dues and shop fees?
Volunteer! As you engage with the shop(s) you are interested in, ask our Shop Captains how you might be able to help. Also, keep an eye on our #volunteer channel in Slack for volunteer opportunities.
Please also consider making a straight donation or recurring donation via PayPal, or become a sponsor! You can find more information about donating at the link here.
King Soopers has also been an amazing avenue for TinkerMill to raise some funds. You can register your King Soopers loyalty card with the non-profit you are supporting (TinkerMill’s ID Code: HE926). There will be $10,000,000 distributed to all regional registered non-profits in total, so the more people we have signed on to support TinkerMill, the bigger the piece of that pie we get. The whole process costs you nothing!
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What is the appropriate use of trash and recycling dumpsters at TinkerMill?
Dumpsters at TinkerMill are intended only for disposal of refuse generated at TinkerMill. They should not be used to dispose of refuse brought from home or other non-TinkerMill locations.
We have two dumpsters; one is for recycling and another for garbage. There is no composting service available. Western Disposal charges an additional $50.00 for each item that does not fit inside the dumpster. This includes any items sticking out of the dumpster or items left in the dumpster area. Please break down all cardboard boxes. Standard garbage bags are not recyclable. Please dump loose recyclables in the recycling dumpster and dispose of the garbage bag in the garbage dumpster.
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TinkerMill is a Colorado 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Corporation.
