About Us

Phoenix Forge is a makerspace powered by GateWay Community College on behalf of the Maricopa County Community College District. It is open to the public, MCCCD students, staff and faculty.

Membership to the makerspace is open to everyone over 18 years old. Members can enjoy access to all areas of the makerspace.

What is a Makerspace?

Makerspaces are community workshops. They are shared spaces where members have access to equipment, tools, software, technical training, and a community of people with similar interests. Phoenix Forge provides access to tools and equipment for prototyping (such as 3D printers) or working with metal, wood, electronics/robotics, textiles, and glass. 

The partners that developed Phoenix Forge include GateWay Community College, Arizona State University, the City of Phoenix, the U.S. Economic Development Administration, and APS. Phoenix Forge was designed by Gensler with construction services by TSG Constructors.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have any additional questions, please contact us at [email protected]

Our current hours are Monday–Friday 1–9pm.

Yes! We love showing off our facility. Stop by any time we’re open.

No, we have many dangerous tools here. Please leave the kiddos at home!

Materials are included with any classes you take. For your own projects, we ask that you bring in materials.

We provide student & faculty memberships for MCCD and ASU, general memberships for the public, and small business memberships. Check out our membership page to learn more. 

Your membership includes: General Member Orientation, Prototyping Orientation, use of the craft area and collaboration area, shop time, and 6 hours per month per specific piece of equipment. For example, 6 hours per month on the lasers, 6 hours on the lathe, etc. Additional hours range from $2-6 per hour.

We charge for classes and other orientations. Those vary in price based on their length and complexity, currently $50-$150.

For our 2D and 3D printing, you pay for materials used. We can let you know the cost before you decide to complete your print.

Our members come from a wide variety of backgrounds. Some have lots of experience with tools, some have very little. All are welcome here. Our staff members are highly trained, helpful, and patient. Whether you need to pick our brains, or get some help understanding the equipment, we’re happy to help!

All new members must take a General Member Orientation. Those are offered on Mondays at 3pm, and again at 6pm and last around an hour.

Tools & Equipment

Member have access to a variety of tools and equipment.

Prototyping

  • Prusa MK3S 3D Printer
  • Raise3D Pro2 3D Printer
  • Raise3D Pro2 Plus 3D Printer
  • Glowforge Laser
  • Universal Laser Systems
  • VLS 4.75
  • PLS 6.15D (with rotary attachment)
  • 3D Scanner
  • Computers with CAD/CAM, design software (various)
  • Computers with CAD/CAM, design software (various)

Wood Shop

  • Jointer
  • Planer
  • Table Saw
  • Band Saws
  • Sliding Compound Miter Saw
  • Overhead Drum Surfacing Sander
  • Oscillating Spindle Sander
  • Oscillating Edge Sander
  • Drill Press
  • ShopBot CNC Router (available soon)
  • Wood Lathe
  • Vacuum Forming System

Jewelry

  • Flex Shaft
  • Rotary Tools
  • Polishing Wheel
  • Soldering Station
  • Soldering Torch
  • Ring Mandrels
  • Jewelers’ Saws Table
  • Vise Hand Tools

Electronics/ Robotics

  • Soldering Stations
  • Soldering Irons
  • Digital Voltmeters
  • Oscilloscopes
  • Variable Power Supplies
  • Consumables: Arduino, Raspberry Pi, Bread Board, etc.

Metal Shop

  • CNC Mill (available soon)
  • CNC Lathe (available soon)
  • Knee Mill
  • Horizontal Bandsaw
  • Vertical Bandsaw
  • Finger Brake
  • Magnetic Brake
  • Tubing Bender
  • Parts Washer
  • Stick Welder
  • MIG Welder
  • TIG Welder
  • Spot Welder
  • Oxy-Acetylene Torch
  • CNC Plasma Cutter (available soon)
  • Hand-Held Plasma Cutter
  • Abrasive Blasting Cabinet
  • Angle Grinders
  • 2x72 Belt Sander

Textiles/ Screen Printing (Coming Soon)

  • 4-Color Press
  • UV Exposure Unit
  • Drying Cabinet
  • Long-Arm Quilting Machine
  • Heavy Duty Sewing Machines
  • Rotary Fabric Cutter
  • Washer/Dryer

Glass Shop/ Ceramics (2023)

  • A8.3 Annealing Oven
  • K11.4 Kiln
  • Glory Hole
  • Marver Table
  • Bench
  • Glass Furnace Crucibles
  • Kiln
  • Potterbot

And more!

  • Vinyl Cutter
  • Large Format Photo Printer
  • Laptop Computers
  • Button Maker
  • Cutting Mats
  • Utility Knives
  • Handheld Power Tools