Manchester Makerspace is a member-run workshop. Members have 24/7 access with their key fob, and the makerspace is run entirely by volunteers. This wiki explains how things work: how to join, how to use the shops and tools safely, and how to use the member portal.
Jump to: For members | For approvers and Resource Managers | For the board and admins
Start here:
- Sign up in the member portal and sign the agreements.
- Come to an open house for your orientation and your key fob. Open house is on Mondays from 6 to 8pm. See General Information for details.
- Accept your Slack invitation (check your email). Slack is where members talk to each other and to the board.
- Sign in to the member portal and see your Home page and menu.
- Ask for the tool checkouts you need: Request a Tool Checkout.
| I want to… | Go to |
|---|---|
| Find my way around the portal | The Member Portal Home Page and Menu |
| Create an account and join | Sign Up |
| Sign in or reset my password | Log In |
| Start, change or end my membership | Manage Membership |
| Pay dues or an invoice | Making Payments |
| See what I paid, or ask for a refund | View Payment History or Request Refunds |
| I want to… | Go to |
|---|---|
| Get checked out on a tool | Request a Tool Checkout |
| Request a checkout from Slack | The /checkout Slack Command |
| Reserve a shop or tool | Reserve a Shop or Tool |
| Report something broken or missing | Report a Problem (Fix Tickets) |
| Fix a checkout problem | Troubleshooting: Tool Checkouts |
| Learn about a shop and its tools | Shops in Makerspace, or pick one below |
Members keep the makerspace running. Take on a bounty from the TVs or the portal, or join a monthly volunteer and cleanup day. See Volunteering at the Makerspace and Bounties.
Approvers sign members off on tools. Resource Managers (RMs) look after a shop and its tools. Start with the Resource Manager F.A.Q. if you are new to the role.
| I want to… | Go to |
|---|---|
| Check a member out on a tool | Check Out a Member on a Tool |
| See open requests, decline one, or understand the reminders | Checkout Requests, Reminders and Notifications |
| Revoke a checkout or review the roster | Revoke a Checkout and Review the Checkout Roster |
| Add or change a tool or shop, or print a sign | Add and Manage Tools and Shops |
| Set up tool groups and approvers | Tool Groups and Checkout Approvers |
| Set up reservations and approve requests | Manage Reservations |
| Work on fix tickets and make bounties | Manage Fix Tickets |
| Approve checkouts from Slack | The /checkout Slack Command |
| Fix a checkout problem | Troubleshooting: Tool Checkouts |
The member portal's admin pages are listed on the Digital Makerspace page.
| I want to… | Go to |
|---|---|
| Register a member | Register a member |
| Manage rentals, rental spots and rental requests | Rental Management |
| Set up billing options | Billing Options |
| Manage subscriptions | Subscriptions |
| Review transactions | Transactions |
| Send checkout expiration notices | Checkout expiration notices |
| Reinstate a revoked checkout | Revoke a Checkout and Review the Checkout Roster |
Last reviewed: October 2026