The folks over at Storage Wars Canada found some lockpicks in a storage locker, and want to shoot a segment about them.  A lab member who is friends with one of their staff emailed the rest of the membership and asked if anyone might be interested in helping them out, and it just so happens that I’m a certified Locksmith.  After chatting with them a bit, they want to shoot a segment at the Hacklab, learn a bit of lockpicking and check the space out.  They also like the open-house atmosphere, so clearly this is cause for a public event!

When: Monday, October 20 2014, 2pm – 6pm

Where: Hacklab.to, 1266 Queen Street West Toronto

Please use the buzzer at the front door to be let in when you arrive.

This will be a lot like an open-house, so bring your projects and computers like normal, though if you have an interest in lockpicking you should bring your picking gear and interesting practice locks.  If you don’t know how to pick but want to learn, you should bring your sense of curiosity!

Since this is a commercial shoot, we ask the attendees all agree to the following:

• Show up around 2pm — actual filming will begin around 3ish.
• Be willing to sign a waiver from Storage Wars saying you’re okay with being filmed.
• Not wear any large identifiable logos or brand-names (small logos which can be taped over are okay).
• Avoid wearing small repeating patterns (I’m looking at you, Herringbone).
• Be willing to take minor directions from the film crew and director while in the space — they may want to move people from room to room for instance, or have everyone relocate to one table.

We look forward to seeing you there!  If you have any other questions about this event, please email info@hacklab.to

Are you new to the world of analog circuitry? Learn to harness the power of analog circuitry in your next project.

Where: Hacklab Toronto Classroom – 1266 Queen Street West, Suite 12

When: Monday October 27, 2014 at 7:30-9:00pm

Who: Anyone is welcome to attend, and there is no fee. We ask for a donation to help us pay rent and keep the lights on.

Your host Andrew Kilpatrick has been building guitar effects and modular synthesizers through his Kilpatrick Audio brand since 2008. He wants to inspire more Hackers to explore the wonderful world of analog circuits.

No experience is necessary. This class will show basic theory through a presentation, demo and discussion.

Come one come all, hacklab has moved and we’re having a party to celebrate our grand re-opening! We’re in a much larger space on Queen at Dufferin, where we’re in the process of building out all kinds of awesome stuff, including a shop, a darkroom, a lab, a kitchen, and a classroom space! We’ll have the classroom setup as a party space, with a DJ. Tours of the space will be given! Everyone is welcome, you do not have to be a member to attend. BYOB, and also bring friends!

What: Hacklab Grand Re-Opening Party

When: Friday October 24th, 8pm-late

Where: Hacklab 2.0, 1266 Queen Street West, Suite #6. Queen just west of Dufferin on the north side.

Why: Our new digs are awesome and you need to come see them!

We’re also open every Tuesday evening 5:30pm-10pm for our open house, as usual.

You can RSVP on our eventbrite if you want (free admission).

Hacklab has moved!

Come visit us at Hacklab 2.0, now located in Parkdale! (1266 Queen Street West) We’re open every Tuesday night (Including this Sept 30!)

New lab!

Hacklab’s new classroom and large hacking area

More photos of the process here.

This is not a normal post by me. I do not normally make  Public Science Awesomeness Announcements (PSAa), but I thought this would be something that the community at large may be interested in. On Sunday September the 28th, it is the Ontatrio Sceince Centers 45th Birthday. And on this special of occasions the Science Center is free from 10 am – 5 pm. Imax and parking is not. For more info on the festivity’s planned follow the link above.

Collaboration on the Retro Populator is still on going and some new progress photos can be found below. We have a new needle assembly, and have been doing minimum pressure testing to pick up components.
Additional news is that the Retro Populator has been announced as an semifinalist 1 of 50 top projects. In addition I learned earlier this week, that Hackaday.com featured the Retro Populator in an article post on there website.  Eric, Charles, Rob, myself, as well as Hacklab Toronto was mentioned in this post. Unfortunately Hackaday did not mention The Ultimate workshop and I hope they fix this issue soon. The Retro Populator is a collaboration and joint creative adventure between both Hacklab Toronto and The Ultimate Workshop. Both sharing resources, knowledge, and skills to create something that we hope others in turn will create there own enhancements for, and use it to create new technologies.

As previously announced, hacklab will be moving to new much larger digs at 1266 Queen Street West. We’re interested to find out what people who are not currently members of the space would like to see us have. Here’s a quick 2 minute survey you can take to have your say! Totally anonymous, feel free to express yourself.

Please send a link to anyone you think would be interested in hacklab!

Here is a little video tour of our new space, on our fancy new YouTube channel!

Some of you have already heard, word is getting around, hacklab has signed a lease on a new space!

We’ll be moving to 1266 Queen Street West, units 6 & 12. It’s at Dufferin Street, in Parkdale. The two units together have a HUGE amount of space, roughly equivalent to 5 existing hacklabs! Our lease starts Sept 1st, but we’ve got possession early to do some renovations. Many hacklab members are extremely excited about the potential of the new space!

Hacklab open house will continue to be at the current location (170A Baldwin Street in Kensington Market), likely till at least Mid-September. Every Tuesday evening 5:30pm-late as always. We will let you know when the location of the open house changes.

Thanks to everyone who supported our indiegogo and all of our activities throughout the last year – we wouldn’t be in a financial position to do this without you! I’ll be lasering up our thank you plaque soon!

If you’d like to contribute towards our moving expenses, we’re always happy to take donations, please click the button at the bottom of this page or just come to our open house and put some money in our donation box. We’re also looking for all kind of in-kind support (got some extra furniture?), please contact us.