The Manufactory – Where Your Ideas Take Shape
Do you like to create, but lack what you need to bring your vision to reality? Are there things you would like to learn how to do, and have a place to do them? Would you like to share your special skills with others while learning new things? If the answer is yes, to any of these questions, then our makerspace is for you.
The Manufactory is a 17,000 sq. ft. membership workshop in northern Cincinnati. Our workshops are chock full of equipment and tools and it is the perfect place for anyone who likes to build things. Our space and community are designed to bring out the best in you. As you and other members bring their projects to life you will be inspired and in turn be an inspiration to others. Whether your goals are serious, or just for fun, there are many like minded people that you will want to meet. As Cincinnati’s only fully equipped makerspace we offer a vast array of equipment and tools.
Learning new skills to gain confidence is an important part of the making experience. Our extensive educational program has classes designed to teach everyone how to safely operate all of our equipment.
What kind of people use The Manufactory?
- Makers
- Artisans
- Engineers
- Inventors
- Prototype Builders
- Crafters
- Stage & Prop Builders
- Do it yourselfers
- Restorers
- Entrepreneurs
- Repair technicians
- People just like you!
Is The Manufactory a makerspace, hackerspace, Techshop or Fablab?
Spaces like ours are a relatively new phenomenon, so the terminology is not well defined. Generally, hackerspaces are small spaces centered around computers and electronics. Some hackerspaces have other hardware for small making projects but lack the full array of equipment offered by makerspaces like The Manufactory.
Other terms that are commonly used are Techshop or Fablab. These are both trademarked names use by spaces in other parts of the USA. Fablab is a name used by the Fab Foundation for spaces developed under their model. Techshop was an impressive chain of makerspaces with locations all over the country. The created the concept of the full scale makerspace. Unfortunately Techshop filed bankruptcy in 2018. Many attribute excessive spending as the cause of their demise.
The Manufactory is a privately funded business and we believe that makerspace is the most accurate term to describe our facility according to this article written for MAKE:.