Teagan Markovic | staff writer

Becky Zajdel’s former partner and dad knew the ins and outs of 3D printing and lasers.

They were members of HackPGH, which led her to join the organization 10 years ago.

She has been the president for the past four years, and was one of the first female board members.

For Zajdel and other members, the organization is more than just an outlet for creativity.

“This place is my home, and I love our members. Everyone here has some brilliant creative talent, and I learn from them everyday,” Zajdel said.

HackPGH is a 100% volunteer-run community makerspace based in Uptown.

“We’re the second cheapest independent makerspace, meaning we’re not attached to a library, university or museum in the United States,” Zajdel said.

The layout of the makerspace includes a studio side and an industrial side filled with different creative outlets.

The studio side offers everything from sewing, to gaming computers, to 3D printing.

The industrial side is filled with machines, containing welding benches, metal machining area, a plasma cutter and oxygen propane cutting.

HackPGH provides classes for anyone 18 and older to learn the skills for the different makers spaces. These skills can be used to generate income, helping those facing financial difficulties.

Morgan Wable, is a board member and the laser cutter lead of HackPGH who utilizes this opportunity.

“The cool thing about it, for Hack members, is there’s actually a couple of people, myself included, whose main source of income is making things on the laser and selling them,” Wable said.

Materials are constantly being reused, and waste is limited. The space is about being creative with items and turning problems into solutions.

HackPGH offers a variety of classes for everyone, taught by members of the board, including blinky name badge making, jewelry making, woodworking classes, yarn making and more.

“Our members are required to do two hours of volunteer work a month,” Zajdel said.

Not everyone has a 9 to 5 work schedule so the space is open 24/7. Everyone has access to opportunities for creation at all times.

Accommodating for as many people as possible, they also have classes for those as young as 7 years old. The oldest member is 96, Zajdel said.

Most classes are “make and take” so people not only walk away with an item they created but also with knowledge that they can use to teach others.

“I think a lot of people join Hack for the community more than the place,” Zajdel said.

Valerie Walch and Allison Leamer are a couple who have been a part of HackPGH for two years.

“We have met lots of people here we wouldn’t have met otherwise. It’s a fun community that has added a lot to our project making,” Walch said.

The pair said HackPGH helps bring community to people who come to the maker space so they don’t feel alone. There is always someone there that is willing to help and projects are usually worked on by multiple people.

“It is nice to be able to come down here and get different views of things. The more members we have, the more diverse the members are, the more projects we can tackle,” Leamer said.

HackPGH had to partly shut down during the Covid-19 pandemic, only opening to make reusable face shields for local hospitals with the in-shop laser.

“This building was built in 1897, and we have to adapt to that because we dug ourselves out of that Covid hole like everyone else, and we have to make money, but not a lot, because we don’t want to overcharge people,” Zajdel said.

HackPGH is hosting a free vaccination clinic as an outreach program. This is the fourth year they will provide this amenity to the community. Anyone can come in and receive free vaccinations and bagels.

More information on upcoming events from HackPGH can be found online at https://www.hackpgh.org/.

“Our mission is the maker movement, so pursuing creative solutions to everyday problems whether it is fixing something that broke without buying a new object, or pursuing an art piece, or even 3D printing a duck it doesn’t matter just making something beautiful regardless of your economic, social or religious background,” Zajdel said.