Tampa Hackerspace upcoming events

Intro to ESP32 Microcontrollers (2 May 2026)

Sat, 02 May 2026 17:00:00 GMT

ESP32 Microcontrollers are a great intro to get your software to interact with the real world! If you know a little programming (or a lot) and want to get started controlling LEDs, Servos, Temp & Humidity sensors, detecting button presses, or virtually any other thing then this class may be a great place to start!

What will be covered in the class:

What is an ESP32, how does it differ from Ardiono, and is it the best hobbyist micontroller board?
What can an ESP32 do for me and my project?
What kind of projects can I do with one?
How do I get started writing code for one?
What do I need to get started?
Can I get some project ideas?

What you will need to bring.

A laptop that you can install software on. We'll be using the Arduino IDE with the Esperssif ESP32 board installed.
An ESP32 Dev board if you have one but they can be provided.
Pro Tip: Buy one with headers attached. Soldering them won't be in the class!
ESP32 Beginner Kit: https://a.co/d/0j674hp7

If you have any questions, reach out via Slack @bald_kevin

Instructor:
Kevin Rogers has been a professional programmer working in the public sector since the mid 90s. Interest in microcontrollers started shortly after learning 8088 based assembly in the 80s. Kevin has developed for various microcontrollers as a hobby for 20+ years and been a member of Tampa Hacker Space since 2016. Previously a member of the Tampa Bay Microcontrollers Meetup group. Some personal projects used the following boards: Raspberry Pi 3, CM4, Zero2w, ESP32 C3, S3, WROOM, Arduino and nano, Beagleboard, and a few others. Developed ESP32C3 BLE code to connect via standard web browser in a recent project and working on an ESP32 project using the Arduino libraries to display concurrently on two screens while having user input driven by a Bluetooth Powerpoint mouse device. Kevin also wrote the Arduino Mega RAMPS Shield Stepper motor code for the THS Claw Machine currently under development and sitting in the main work room.

Star Wars Day Celebration (3 May 2026)

Sun, 03 May 2026 19:00:00 GMT

Come Celebrate Star Wars Day (one day early) at Tampa Hackerspace!

Trivia (With prizes!)
Star Wars screening
Potluck ~ Bringing food, drinks, or snacks is encouraged!
Other games and festivities
Bring your droids, lightsabers, blasters, or cosplay!

May the Fourth falls on a Monday this year, so we're celebrating one day early. Join us for an out-of-this-world Star Wars Day celebration on Sunday, May 3rd, at Tampa Hackerspace.

Weekly Open Make Night (5 May 2026)

Tue, 05 May 2026 22:00:00 GMT

This is our weekly open house, open to everyone. We will be giving tours of our space throughout the evening. Many members will be present to socialize and share ideas. Feel free to bring projects you are working on.

No registration needed, you can just show up.

Make THS Better Workday (9 May 2026)

Sat, 09 May 2026 14:00:00 GMT

This day will be dedicated to addressing outstanding tasks that we've been putting off. Here's a glimpse of what's on the agenda:

Projects

Fix/reinforce tetris shelves
Redesign PVC stand for vinyl sign
Sort Laser scrap material
Remove Sewing Window
Clean up/sort woodshop drawers
Sort Paint in 4933

Sew Awesome! (10 May 2026)

Sun, 10 May 2026 21:30:00 GMT

Sewers, costumers, quilters, cosplayers, clothing designers, and textile artists & crafters of all kinds, come see what Tampa Hackerspace has to offer and meet others who share your interest in making things out of fabric and fiber! This meetup is free of charge and open to all.

(Yes, this includes you, knitters, crocheters, cross-stitchers, embroiderers, weavers, tie-dyers, and anyone else who works with fabric, thread, yarn, etc.)

Think of this as an "Open Make" event -- bring your project, or just come to learn & see what others are working on.

We have sewing machines set up, including a serger, and a large cutting table. If you have a project to work on, you may want to bring a sewing machine if you would like.

Weekly Open Make Night (12 May 2026)

Tue, 12 May 2026 22:00:00 GMT

No registration needed, you can just show up.

Weekly Open Make Night (19 May 2026)

Tue, 19 May 2026 22:00:00 GMT

No registration needed, you can just show up.

3D Printing: Models and Slicers (20 May 2026)

Wed, 20 May 2026 23:00:00 GMT

This class is offered online. It is open to everyone.

Members should log in for member pricing!

Please note: this is not the tool signoff for 3D printing at Tampa Hackerspace.

This is a hands-on, online class for anyone who is brand new to 3D printing and wants to get up and running with choosing models and getting them ready to print. We recommend that you join this class from a computer you will be using to prepare models for printing, especially if you are a member of Tampa Hackerspace and plan to use the machines at our site. This class does involve installing software on your computer and following along with the instructor; however, there is no final project, and you are free to listen and take notes instead.

We’ll take a look at a few sources for models that you may want to print, and we’ll look at how to tell what kinds of modifications your model might need to print successfully. We’ll walk through setting up PrusaSlicer, an interface that will convert the digital images of your model into toolpaths for the printer to make your model into a physical object. Finally, we’ll take a model from .STL to GCode to show you the full process of getting a print ready for production. Once we’re done, we can cover some questions and answers you may have about 3D printing and, if applicable, joining Tampa Hackerspace.

If you do not already have PrusaSlicer installed, you can download it directly from Prusa (for free!) at https://www.prusa3d.com/en/page/prusaslicer_424/ . We won’t spend much time on the install during class, so you can save yourself some time if you download and install before we meet. I will be in the class a bit early in case you have any questions about downloading and installing the software. (Note that PrusaSlicer runs on Windows, Mac, and Linux.)

The member price is for paid members of Tampa Hackerspace. Information on becoming a paid member can be found on our website (http://tampahackerspace.com/membership). You can prepay for the class at our Square Marketplace (https://tampahackerspace.square.site/product/3d-printing-non-members-/4?cs=true).

Sew Awesome! (24 May 2026)

Sun, 24 May 2026 21:30:00 GMT

(Yes, this includes you, knitters, crocheters, cross-stitchers, embroiderers, weavers, tie-dyers, and anyone else who works with fabric, thread, yarn, etc.)

Think of this as an "Open Make" event -- bring your project, or just come to learn & see what others are working on.

We have sewing machines set up, including a serger, and a large cutting table. If you have a project to work on, you may want to bring a sewing machine if you would like.

Weekly Open Make Night (26 May 2026)

Tue, 26 May 2026 22:00:00 GMT

No registration needed, you can just show up.

Weekly Open Make Night (2 Jun 2026)

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 22:00:00 GMT

No registration needed, you can just show up.

Weekly Open Make Night (9 Jun 2026)

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 22:00:00 GMT

No registration needed, you can just show up.

Weekly Open Make Night (16 Jun 2026)

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 22:00:00 GMT

No registration needed, you can just show up.

Weekly Open Make Night (23 Jun 2026)

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 22:00:00 GMT

No registration needed, you can just show up.