Maker Tools

​Our makerspace, the TIDES Garage, is full of gadgets and supplies to make awesome DIY projects. Please, talk to one of our library staff members before using any of our devices.

Cricut Makers
Embroidery Machine
Laser Cutters
3D Printers
Sewing Machines

---

Cricut Maker & Explorer

Tutorials

• Cricut Beginner's Guide
• Cricut Tutorial Videos​

Software

• Cricut Design Space: Cricut's desktop (PC and Mac) and mobile app (Android and iOS) that allows you to prepare, manage, and monitor projects. It's free to use, you just need to make an account.
• Cricut Press Heat Guide

Sample Projects

• Easy Projects for Beginners
• T-shirt Vinyl Iron-on
• DIY Stickers

Makerbot Replicator+ 3D Printers

Tutorials

• The Basics of 3D Printing​

Software

• Tinkercad: free online 3D model design program and app for Android and iOS.
• ​Makerbot Print: Makerbot's desktop application that allows you to prepare, manage, and monitor 3D prints. It's free to use, you just need to make an account.
• Morphi: Free 3D modeling application for Android and iOS.
  

​Sample Projects

• Thingiverse: Free downloadable 3D models
• Cults 3D: Free and paid downloadable 3D models​​
• Articulated Mario
• Articulated Slug​

Brother PE 770 Embroidery Machine

Tutorials

• Threading the Machine
• Winding the Bobbin
• Embroidery Hoop Basics
• How to Use Inkscape & Ink/Stitch to Design Custom Embroidery

Software

• Inkscape: ​This free open-source software allows you to create your own digital designs that you can turn into embroidery projects.
• Ink/Stitch: This free open-source software is an Inkscape extension lets you turn designs into embroidery DST files.

Sample Projects

• Free Embroidery DST Files

Singer 5400 Sewmate Sewing Machines

Tutorials

• Machine Set-Up
• How to Use a Sewing Machine
• Singer 5400 Sewmate Tutorials

Sample Projects

• Sewing Projects for Students
• ​Jo-Ann Sewing Projects & Ideas
• ​Singer Sewing Projects​​

Glowforge Pro Laser Cutters

Tutorials

• Hands-On with the Glowforge Laser Cutter (16 min video)
• Instructables Laser Cutting Basics

Software

• Glowforge Print: Glowforge's online program that allows you to prepare, manage, and monitor laser cutting projects. It's free to use, you just need to make an account.​

Sample Projects

• ​Laser Cut Bumblebee
• ​​SVG Box Generator
• Design a Glowforge print using a pen​​

---

Look for inspiration...

Instructables
Instructables is a website specializing in user-created and uploaded do-it-yourself projects​.

Make
Make is a magazine that focuses on do-it-yourself and do-it-with-others projects involving computers, electronics, metalworking, robotics, woodworking and other disciplines.

DIY
DIY is a global interest based community designed specifically for students. Students can learn through 5000+ challenges & how-to videos and access over 500 hours of DIY content on the platform.