Check out my previous post about how to setup a maker space. When you’re ready to do budgeting, the below can serve as a guide for a cost-effective maker space. As you’ll see, the biggest contributor to initial setup costs are the “premium items” like a laser cutter and 3D printer. More intensive maker spaces may spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on high-end prototyping machines in this category.
The below list includes links to where these items can be purchased.
Total for this cost-effective maker space: ~$7,650 (not including space, ventilation, workbenches, seating, and initial materials)
Premium Items ($6,020.70)
- Desktop Laser Cutter – $3,500 (not including ventilation)
- Desktop 3D Printer – $2,000 or $2,500 – suggested: Ultimaker or Zortrax
- Cowhide Leather Gloves (x2) – $22.70
Bench Tools (optional) ($504.97):
- Drill Press – $144.99
- Bandsaw – $229.99
- Belt Disc Sander – $129.99
Electronics ($188.54):
- Wire Cutters (x2) – $16.10
- Tweezers Set – $33.90
- Solder Spool – $39.75
- Parts Storage – $28.59
- Solder Smoke Absorbers (x2) – $57.00
- Helping Hand (x2) – $13.20
Other Tools ($505.83):
- Handheld Drill Kit – $45.99
- Drill and Tap Set – $29.83
- Drill Set – $39.99
- Scissors – $10.08
- Ratchet Wrench Set – SAE – $18.98
- Ratchet Wrench Set – Metric – $16.60
- Wrench Set – $29.97
- Adjustable Wrench – $7.97
- Hammers (x3) – $28.70 – first, second, third
- Saw – $16.76
- Hacksaw – $23.45
- Needle File Set – $8.23
- Glue Gun – $10.61
- Dremel Accessory Kit – $26.21
- Hot Wire Foam Cutter – $32.00
- Pottery Tool Set – $39.99
- Screwdriver Set – $24.76
- Screwdriving Set – $15.72
- Sewing Machine – $79.99
Measurement / Clamping ($243.64):
- Square Level Set – $13.30
- Square Tool – $5.97
- Hanging Scale – $49.99
- Digital Multimeter – $49.99
- Tachometer – $23.89
- Digital Caliper – $15.00
- Vice Grip Locking C-Clamp (x2) – $16.58
- Grip Clamp Set – $44.98
- Quick Grip Clamps (x3)- $23.94
Cleaning ($43.78):
Other ($144.23):
- Gloves – $9.95
- Safety Glasses – $13.36
- Dust Masks – $6.08
- Pegboards (x2) – $79.90
- Wire Basket Set – $10.99
- Peg Hook Assortment – $23.95
Laurie Stach 