Free

Everyone has heard of Craigslist,  but it seems like few people know about the better free sites out there.  I have found a few, but if you have something better, let us all know and I will update this list.

1) U MN ReUse Center.  They  have bikes for sale soon,  tons of office furniture,  oddball scientific equipment, and row after row of desks and filing cabinets.   Their free stuff is limited to 3ring binders,  odd bits, and other surplus.  They are open on thursdays, and their Facebook page has good info on what is new.
The free stuff is ok, but the best deal is buying sturdy, old, expensive stuff at goodwill prices.

2) Minnesota Materials Exchange.  I forget about them,  since my house is already filled with stuff I can't use yet.  If your house or business seems empty, register on their site now. I think you could furnish an entire office, then fill it with scrap lumber, Styrofoam, and surplus pallets in under one hour.  Let me know if you find something fun.

class

I have been to the Mill a couple times, and they are great. New classes are starting, check them out and let me know if you are going. I might tag along if it is new to me.

Little Adults

Designwise Medical is a Minneapolis nonprofit focusing on pediatric medical devices. Their model is to ask parents and doctors for problems that are not being addressed by commercial medicine, then have volunteers try to find solutions to these problems. By being patient focused and volunteer driven, the early products have been simple yet effective. I would like to see more companies follow their lead.

3D

It would be an understatement to say that I have wanted a 3D printer for a long time. I think the appeal is that a 3D sculpture or tool can be saved, built, fixed and then rebuilt better. In a month or two, I will finally get my hands on one.

To make this tool better, I will need your help. I want to hear what you want printed. Add a comment, send me a file.

Free local delivery.

Thingiverse has a ton of examples to get you started.