Author: David Kent

Log Lift Project

Log Lift Need

My son in New York State burns 10 cords of firewood annually.  

He splits each round using a tractor-mounted hydraulic splitter.  

Most of the wood comes from tree services that willingly drop it at his house rather than pay to have the logs landfilled.

The log lift idea was mine.  I was tired of lifting heavy rounds to the splitter.

 

Requirements

Attach to the existing splitter

Use existing 22 GPM, 2250 PSI hydraulic pump 

Handle up to 3 rounds simultaneously.

 

Costs

Hydraulic cylinder — $70 Facebook Marketplace

Dual spool hydraulic valve & variable flow control — $450

Hydraulic hoses & fittings — $175

Steel — Used scrap steel at FMS

Pig Rotisserie Project

Why Build a Rotisserie?

  • Pig roasts are great fun.  
  • Any day can become an EVENT with fire, a slow-cooking pig, many friends (often with excited children), and some beer.  
  • The rotisserie is the centerpiece.  Simple ones can be rented for $400/weekend.  
  • My son and his friends are experienced roasters.  They wanted a special rotisserie.

 

Pig Rotisserie Requirements

  • Support a 150 lb pig with a 3x safety factor with a spit rotation of 2-3 RPM
  • Fire tray should be 30 inches above the ground
  • Spit should be adjustable in height from 12-30 inches above the fire tray
  • Spit offset bar to be adjustable from 6-10 inches from the spit centerline
  • Skewers (4-6) should have four prongs. The length of each prong should be 6-7 inches 
  • Motor should support continuous operation for 8-10 hours
  • Drive should be simple, reliable, and safe  
  • The whole rotisserie should be mobile with turf-capable tires on one end and a handle on the other to allow it to be wheeled around on grass
  • The rotisserie should be easily disassembled to be stored inside a garage

 

Costs

  • Gear motor (¼ HP) — $100 on Facebook Marketplace
  • Steel — $300
  • Sprockets, chain, and 1-inch stainless shaft — $60
  • Turf tires, wheels, axle, and retaining pins — $105

Sign-Making Workshop for the Demonstration, October 16, 2025, 6:30pm

🎨 Sign-Making Workshop for the Demonstration 🪧
All Are Welcome!

Join us for a creative and collaborative workshop to make signs, banners, and posters ahead of the upcoming demonstration! Whether you’re an artist or just have something to say, this is your space to prepare, connect, and get inspired.

📅 Date: October 16, 2025
🕓 Time: 6:30pm
📍 Location: Framingham Maker’s Space, 28 John H. Finley, Bldg III, Framingham

We’ll provide materials like poster boards, paints, markers, and brushes — but feel free to bring your own supplies or share extras!

No experience necessary — just bring your voice, your ideas, and your energy.

Bring a t-shirt and we can provide you with a precut  heat -transfer

 

Snacks and good vibes provided.

Fabric Artists Open House, October 30, 7:00–8:30 PM

Fabric Artists Open House
🧵 Where threads meet thrills! 🧵

Join us at the Framingham Makerspace for a fun and fabric-filled evening! Whether you’re a quilting pro or just curious about the craft, a fiber artist or seeking a new hobby, come explore the creative side of stitching and making with stations for fabric dyeing, long-arm quilting, batik, and Cricut heat transfers. Meet fellow fiber art enthusiasts, take a tour, and see what this colorful corner of our Maker’s Space has to offer.

📍 Saxonville Mills
🕖 Thursday, October 30, 7:00–8:30 PM
🪡 Come for the quilts, stay for the creativity!

Studios Available

Maker Studios Available:  Each studio includes dedicated 120VAC outlet, wired internet and WiFi access.

Studio 5: 15’7” x 9’10”. Has large window.

Studio 10: 14’6” x 9’7”,  No window.

Premium Membership – $100/month 

    • Premium membership required to rent a studio.
    • 24/7 access to the Makerspace
    • Use of all shop equipment (requires checkout before using equipment)

Framingham Makerspace is open to the public four tours every Wednesday, 7-9pm.   If you can’t make a tour, email or call to arrange an appointment to see the studios and get a tour.

Stitch’n Bitch, make Pussyhats

Wednesday, March 5, during Open House (7-9PM) in the Fiber Arts Lab.

Join us for an evening Stitch ‘n Bitch* as we make Pussyhats in “honor” of the newly inaugurated Rapist-in-Chief and his band of fellow sexual assaulters. You probably got rid of the one you made for the last iteration (whoever thought we would need them again!), or it is well worn and you’re due for a reboot. It is guaranteed to get plenty of wear over the next four years.

I have 20+ skeins of donated pink worsted weight yarn, and I can’t think of a better use. We have some knitting needles and crochet hooks, but bring your own if you have them. We also have some bright pink fleece for those of you who would rather sew. For patterns: https://www.pussyhatproject.com/

And if you can’t knit, crochet or sew, you can always just bitch. Misery loves company. We will have light refreshments.

See you there.

Maria (she/they)

*Stitch ‘n Bitch is a name that has been used to refer to social knitting groups since at least World War II.[1] Before the slang term “Stitch ‘n Bitch” was used, groups of women in the 1940s would join to knit and talk in organized Stitch and Bitch clubs.

Studio Space Available Now

Available Studio Spaces:  Each studio includes dedicated 120VAC outlet, wired internet and WiFi access.

Studio 10: 14’6” x 9’7”:  No window.

Studio 4: 15’7” x 9’7”:  Has large window.

Studio 5: 15’7” x 9’10”. Has large window.

Studio new #1: 18’4” x 9’2”:  Has large window and locked door to hallway.

Premium Membership – $100/month 

    • Premium membership required to rent studio.
    • 24/7 access 
    • Use of all shops

Framingham Makerspace is open to the public four tours every Wednesday, 7-9pm.   If you can’t make a tour, email or call to arrange an appointment to see the studios and get a tour.

 

Raspberry Pi/Arduino Night, 11/21, 6:30-8:30 PM

Raspberry Pi/Arduino Night 11/21/2024 6:30-8:30PM.  Free event open to public.  Under 18 welcome with parent.

If you have a Raspberry Pi/Arduino and want to get together with others to compare notes, swap ideas, etc. come to our meetup. Bring your device and show us what you’re doing with it.

If you’re curious about the all these devices and want to meet others who have one or are just interested in finding out more about them, come to our meetup.

Location will be at the Framingham Makerspace (28 John H. Finley III Way, Suite 107, Framingham, MA) in Framingham.

For those unfamiliar with the Raspberry Pi or the Arduino, here is are the links http://www.raspberrypi.org/, https://www.arduino.cc/