Hardesty Center for Fab Lab Tulsa

What is Fab Lab Tulsa?

Fab Lab Tulsa Inc. is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation organized under an all-volunteer board of directors. We provide the public access to fabrication technology for prototyping, educational purposes, and to simply make their ideas a reality. The lab is located at 710 S Lewis Ave. and houses a meeting space, computer lab, CNC machinery workstations, and a machine room.

 Where Do I Park?

Park along 7th or 8th Street west of Lewis. We do not permit parking on the lab grounds. Drop off and pick up only.

 What are Your Operating Hours?

Tues – Fri: 11-8pm; Sat: 11-6pm

How Do I Access Fab Lab Tulsa?

• Tours are on Saturdays at 3pm

• Individual Memberships

• Limited Free Public Hours

What Does the Individual Membership Include?

There are 2 options within Individual Memberships: (1) 10hrs of machine time for $125, (2) 4hrs of machine time for $60. Both options include 2012 access to the facility and unlimited machine courses. Additional machine hours can be purchased.

How Does the Process Work Once I Purchase a Membership?

1. New Members Orientation (Mandatory; Orientation dates are listed on our calendar).  New members must sign a liability waiver and lab guidelines document.

2. Reserve time on a machine (through our website)

I need to Reserve a lot of Machine Time/Workstations to Complete my Project.  Is that alright?

We ask all members to moderate their machine usage and do not make extensive hours-long machine reservations day after day, week after week.  Moderating your machine reservations permits other members the same machine access you expect.  Members may only reserve one machine workstation at any one time.

Plan ahead and pace your work.  Do not work on a short deadline.

How do the Limited Free Public Hours Work?

Our public hours are 11-6pm on Saturdays. Machines are first come first serve and limited to 1hr blocks, which means machine access may be limited. If it is your first time to use a machine, you will be required to do a Fab Lab Starter Project that will walk you through the basics of the design software along with machine operation.

What if I Cannot Make it to My Reservation Period?

With 24hrs notice, cancellations can be made with no penalty. Cancellations within 24hrs and “No Shows” will be penalized for the hours that were reserved.

Can I Use Any Tool or Machine in Fab Lab Tulsa?

The Laser Cutter, Vinyl Cutter, MakerBot, and Electronics can be accessed after going through our mandatory New Member Orientation. During the orientation we will briefly explain how to use each of those stations. The ShopBot and Mini-Mill are more complicated and require a certification before access is granted. The other power tools and hand tools are available for use IF you know how to use them. If you don’t know how to use a tool, please ask before doing so.

Can I Use the Objet Commercial 3D Printer?

We do not allow the public to operate this machine. For a fee we will 3D print your design for you.

Can You Show Me How To Use the Tools and Equipment?

Definitely! We will show you how to use the Laser Cutter, Vinyl Cutter, and MakerBot during the mandatory New Member Orientation. You can sign up for a class to use the ShopBot and/or Mini-Mill as well.

What Courses Does Fab Lab Tulsa Offer?

We currently only offer courses on the ShopBot and Mini-Mill. In the future we may offer more courses.

Can My Kids Work on Projects and Take Classes With Me?

Kids and young adults (10-18) can work on projects at Fab Lab Tulsa under the direct supervision of a parent or legal guardian. Most courses are open to kids and young adults when they take the class with their parent or guardian. There are some tools and machines that kids are not permitted to operate at any time, such as the ShopBot. Kids under 10 are not permitted to enter the workshop areas at Fab Lab Tulsa at any time except for certain special circumstances.

Do I Need to Bring in My Own Materials?

We will have basic materials on-hand for you to use free of charge. We ask that you be reasonable and conservative with them since many others will be using them. See our Materials Page for what materials we have.  Lab members should not expect to exclusively use lab materials to fabricate all of their projects.  Lab materials are provided to members to support small projects, create prototypes, and kickstart a new and larger projects

You are free to bring your own materials as long as they are compatible with the machines and do not present a danger to the workspace. If you bring in a material that is not listed as an acceptable material, please bring an MSDS. Lab staff will inspect all foreign materials that are brought into the lab before they can be used with lab equipment, no exceptions.

Does Fab Lab Tulsa Manufacture Products?  Will You Manufacture a Part For Me?

Fab Lab Tulsa does not manufacture products. We are a self-serve, public-use community fabrication workshop. We offer space and advanced machinery that the public could not otherwise access so that they may fabricate their own projects. Fab Lab Tulsa does not manufacture parts for the public, design parts for the public, consult the public on their designs, or perform research for the public.

I Need to Make Hundreds of Parts for a Project or Business.  Can I Make Them in Fab Lab Tulsa?

Fab Lab Tulsa is intended for personal fabrication, experimentation, and rapid prototyping and designed for single projects or small batch production.  The lab is not designed for mass production.  We expect all patrons to respect the purpose and limitations of the lab and not abuse our resources.

Can I Fabricate Metal Parts in Fab Lab Tulsa?

We primarily work with non-metals such as wood products, plastic, foam, wax, paper, vinyl, and resin.  We do not have the capacity to mill, cast, or weld metal.

Does Fab Lab Tulsa Carry Liability Insurance?

We have liability insurance and require you to receive safety training on any dangerous equipment before it can be used.