Get ready for October Skies!

Build Nights are held at the HMS Beagle from 6 to 8 pm.

Sept 11 - We're building rockets, you can choose from three options:

• Paper rockets for air powered flight are free to build.
• DIY model rockets from old tubes are free to build. Small Estes rocket motors for these rockets can be purchased at the HMS Beagle store.
• Purchase a full rocket kit from the store and assemble it at the Build session.

Sept. 18 - Build an electronic launch controller, the parts will be available at a special price of $10 for this build only. This controller will feature:

• LED continuity/arm lights, audible buzzer warning with arm and launch activators.
• Battery holders for 6, 9, and 12 volts that are externally connected.
• Heavy duty 15 foot long detachable launch leads

All these rockets may be flown at the annual "October Sky" rocket launch on October 6 at the HMS Beagle parking lot.

Randall "The Rocketeer" Jessee will be leading this build with the help of the MAKE:KC and HMS BEAGLE Crews. 

Graduation ceremonies for Metropolitan Community College students featured Missouri's Governor Jay Nixon giving the keynote address. To show MCC's appreciation, the Governor was presented with this one-of-a-kind bait cast fishing reel and display box. Parts for this replica of a 1937 Shakespeare casting reel were machined by David Hawkins receiving his A.A.S degree that night.

This box is an original creation by Jen Dec, lab technician with the Fab Lab. This unique design features a hide away front panel with Channel Catfish the Missouri State fish. The box lid features engraved text commemorating the work of MCC students and personnel along with their appreciation for the Governor's commencement address.

The two tone appearance is from using a light Birdseye Maple along with African Padauke which gives it the reddish color.

For more information check out the MCCKC Insider article "Two MCC artisans create unique thank-you gift for Gov. Nixon".

Build Night - May 15  Steampunk mask (leather cutting and dyeing).

We are now into the meat of it.  We will be taking a pattern and cutting the leather.  We will also be dyeing the leather.  Bring a Pencil, leather hole punch, sharp razor knife or two.  Bring your brass bits and other fiddley bits to start attaching.

If you were not there last week come on by and we will get you started.

We will be designing and making the pattern for our steampunk mask. The type of mask is like a dust mask.  It will fit over the nose and mouth.

We had a great start with room for new people to join.



I know I keep saying boxes but they look like coffins.

We need to add tops and bottoms and a hinge.

First night building the Benchtop Power Supplies.

We were looking into having a build night to work on amplifier

circuits tonight but the parts we needed are not available in time.

Hope to see everyone next week at the Show & Tell then we will resume

with Build Nights on the following Tuesday, Sept 13.

We will be brassing and antiqueing and adding the fiddley bits.  

Steampunk goggles.  It is finally here and just in time for Riverfest Mini Maker Faire.  We will be constructing goggles out of materials you bring.  So look around your house and your friends house for potential goggle materials.  Bring extra to share.

Here is a list of possibilities:

McDonald milk bottles with lids,

V8 bottles with lids,

any plastic bottles with lids,