Lightsabers, Cider, and Pumpkin Trebuchets: An Exciting October for Hacksburg!

[Max Bareiss]

To All:

     Hacksburg has a lot of exciting events coming up this October, it's our biggest month of the year! Here's what we have in store:

October 8: Put in Your Order for Lightsaber Parts!

Hacksburg is again partnering with the Lightsaber Club at Virginia Tech to make lightsabers! These movie-set-grade lightsabers feature metal hilts, plastic blades which light up, and sound effects (supplies may be limited due to the chip shortage). Want to learn how to use the metal lathe? The hilt serves as an excellent beginner lathe part and is our recommended beginner metal lathe project, regardless of whether you continue on to make the rest of the lightsaber.

If you'd like to participate in our group buy to get good prices on the lightsaber electronics and raw materials, please email rs...@hacksburg.org by October 8, and we will send you the signup form.

October 10 and 17, 1:00PM to 4:00PM: Seventh Annual Cider Pressing!

Come to Hacksburg with apples and you’ll be able to make your own cider! The best kind of apples to bring is a variety, only using one type typically results in extremely sweet or tart cider. Ten pounds of apples makes three quarts of cider. Free to anyone in the community, no RSVP.

Want more information? We go into the Cidermaking process in detail here: Cider Making.

October 24, 1:00PM to 4:00PM: Hard Cider Fermenting

We will cover the basics of turning apple cider into an alcoholic drink. This technique works for all fruit juices, so get creative! Attendees must be 21 years old or older. RSVP by emailing rs...@hacksburg.org or click here: Meetup!

October 31, 10:00AM to 3:00PM: First Annual Hacksburg Pumpkin Chunkin!

This year on Halloween, Hacksburg will be running our own pumpkin chunkin' competition! Gather up a team to build a trebuchet capable of throwing pumpkins at targets. Trebuchets are judged by accuracy, so make a consistent machine! Official rules will be sent out on October 1. Be ready to get the rules right on time by emailing rs...@hacksburg.org ahead of time. Teams will have a registration fee, but stopping by to watch is free. Tours of Hacksburg will also be available. Hacksburg members: We will be making our own trebuchet to compete, come to a Tuesday meeting to join the team!

Hacksburg is a non-profit makerspace located in Blacksburg, VA. Started in 2014, we're a community workshop focused on enabling creatives and entrepreneurs in the New River Valley to complete projects that would otherwise be out of reach. Whether you need equipment, mentorship, or just some space to work, Hacksburg is meant to be an accessible, collaborative, and affordable resource for building anything from rockets to robots to rocking chairs.

Any questions? Email bo...@hacksburg.org or come to one of our open Tuesday meetings, each week at 7:30PM. Meetings are in-person or at https://meet.hacksburg.org/OpenGroupMeeting .

From,

     Max Bareiss

Board Member, Hacksburg