Welcome Members
Please use the links below to connect with other members, learn more about our classes and equipment, and to make reservations for classes and machine time. Please review the machine reservation and class reservation policies below before making reservations.
To connect with other members, please join:
For general information and tutorials, please visit NextFab Studio Wiki pages:
For Classes and Machine Reservations, see:
Machine Reservation Policy
Members who would like to reserve machine time may do so online. You will be prompted to create a user account, and will then have access to reserve any machine. However, please note that this calendar should only be used by those who have obtained unsupervised access on their particular machine. Supervised access should be arranged by contacting the class instructor for the machine or the front desk at 215-921-3649 or .
*Reservations must be made at least 8 hours in advance. After that period of time, open time on the schedule does not necessarily mean the machine will be available for use. Please call us at 215-921-3649 or come in person to inquire about machine availability less than 8 hours in advance or to request supervised access.
*Machines may not be reserved for more than four hours per day.
*If you are late for a reservation, your reservation end time will not be extended.
*If you do not notify us within 30 minutes of the start of your reservation that you will be arriving late, we reserve the right to cancel your reservation.
Class Reservation Policy
*The majority of classes are open only to members due to the safety training required. For a list of classes available to non-members, see our Class Descriptions page.
*NEW MEMBERS: If you are intending to become a member, please make a reservation for Orientation and Workshop Safety Training, and Machine Shop Safety Training and indicate that you are wanting to become a member.
*Please use our Class Reservations calendar to make reservations. You will be prompted to create a user account, and will then have access to request reservations. A staff member will notify you by email notification of approval or any issues.
*Please make reservations at least 8 hours in advance.
*Classes with no reservations within 8 hours of being held may be canceled at our discretion.
*Empty seats in classes may be obtained without reservation on a first-come, first-served basis. not necessarily mean the machine will be available for use.
*Classes start on-time. Please notify us promptly at 215-921-3649 if you will be late or will miss a reserved class.
Expert Policy
Expert status is determined on an individual machine basis. For instance, you may be certified as an expert on the Trotec Laser but not the Roland MDX. Being an expert member also provides you with access to the basic tools of NextFab Studio during expert hours. Basic tools are those covered in the Orientation and Machine shop safety training. Expert tools are those listed below.
An expert is a member who has completed the level 2 class on a particular machine and successfully passed the certification test within the past 6 months. Once an expert on a machine, you are welcome to reserve time on that machine and use it without direct supervision.
Five days a week, Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., we reserve the mornings for members who are “experts.” In a nutshell, these are people who can come to NextFab, work independently, and who need minimal assistance finding tools, troubleshooting machines, vetting schematics, etc.
The reason for expert hours is twofold: first, it allows NextFab staff time to focus on contract work, which is a large portion of our business that allows us to make membership more affordable. Second, it allows members who are at a high skill level to have access to our machines at a time when the shop is quieter and there is more space to work.
We ask that you please respect our policy of working independently and direct all questions to the shop supervisor or staff members listed as on call. But if you’re unsure about how to operate a machine, and more importantly, how to operate it safely, please visit between 4-8pm Monday to Friday or all day during the weekends and all staff will be happy to help you out then.
Machines Requiring Expert Status:
Welding
Plasma cutting
Belt grinder, Angle grinder, Die grinder
Torchmate
Shopbot
Mill
Lathe
Table Saw
Lasers
Roland
Dimension
Z-Corp
Brother Digital Embroidery Machine
Epson
Versacamm
Wetlab