About us
As our city's first and oldest makerspace, HackPGH has served Pittsburgh's creative community for fifteen years. We steadfastly believe that the Maker Movement should be accessible to anyone, regardless of their prior level of experience and irrespective of their socioeconomic background. HackPGH is a life-changing place where creative exploration, professional development, and socializing are actively encouraged.
Our secure workshop caters to a wide variety of interests and is open 24/7 to members. Over the years, we have built dedicated workspaces for woodworking, welding, machining & metalworking, electronics, laser cutting, CNC routing, sewing & embroidery, 3D printing, and many more!
HackPGH is a 501(c) non-profit organization with no paid employees. We keep fees as low as possible and in return, all members are required to regularly volunteer at the organization in some way - training others, contributing to a group project, cleaning the shop, and more.
Membership Model (as of 2024): - $75/month for 24/7 RFID access and communal training on almost all tools and machines. Discounts rates are available for students, seniors (60+), active armed services/veterans, and persons with disabilities. We offer paid classes as well as free clubs and events that are open to the public. While memberships are limited to adults (18+), many of our classes welcome children above the age of twelve.
HackPGH is all about collaboration, education, inclusion, and community. These goals transcend the boundaries of our workshop to the streets of Pittsburgh. As a charitable organization, outreach has always been a vital part of our past and present, from our free vaccination clinics to our food & clothing drives to constructing PPE during the COVID pandemic. Our primary goal for the future: further community involvement through classes, clubs, outreach events, and social engagements, all open to everyone regardless of membership status.
http://www.hackpgh.org
Upcoming events
13
- $95.00
Intro to Wood Lathes & Turning w/Erik
HackPGH, 1936 Fifth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, USThis beginner woodworking class at HackPGH covers the basics of the wood lathe and turning. We will focus on the safe operation of both free standing and benchtop wood lathes, as well as how to choose the appropriate wood and turning tools.
Students will learn the basics of turning with carbide AND HSS (high-speed steel) tools as well as how to prep, turn, and assemble their individual projects. Different types of hardwoods will be available for selection. This class is great for couples, friends, family, or individuals! Participants will have the choice of making one of the following items (while supplies last):
- Honey dipper
- Self-standing bottle topper
- Bottle opener
- Pie server
- Cheese planer
- Ice cream scoop
Carbide or HSS? The "best choice" of turning tools depends on the application. Carbide offers superior wear resistance, higher cutting speeds, and lower maintenance by allowing tip rotation rather than sharpening but can produce a rougher finish. The versatility and precision of HSS tools can achieve finer finishes and details. However, they often require special skills to use and wear out faster, requiring frequent sharpening. Students will learn the basics using one of our carbide sets. Thereafter, the instructors will help participants choose which set is best for their projects.
Date and time: Sunday, November 1st from 1:00pm to 5:00pm. Class can go later for those needing extra help with their projects at the discretion of the instructor. There will be breaks for drinks and snacks.
Requirements: No experience needed. All supplies and safety equipment will be provided. Please wear closed-toed shoes and snug-fitting clothing; short sleeves if possible! Dangling jewelry should be removed, and tie back any long hair.
Instructor(s): Erik & Parker
Cost: $95 for non-members, $85 for HackPGH Members. $155 for couples or doubles
WE CANNOT ACCEPT MEETUP RSVPS! YOU MUST CLICK HERE TO REGISTER & PAY!- No-shows will NOT be refunded.
- If you need to cancel, please contact HackPGH at least 72 hours before the class date!
- Payment is due at time of registration; please contact us if you wish to pay with cash or check
Class Size: 4 people max
Age Requirements: Adults only, 18+
2 attendees 
AI Meetup & Open Discussion
HackPGH, 1936 Fifth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA, Pittsburgh, PA, USLove it or hate it, AI is part of our everyday lives, whether you know it or not. Maybe you want to learn more about AI. Or you may have questions and concerns about its social, environmental, ethical, creative, and economic impacts. So let's talk about it!
Join us for an informative meetup, led by local tech experts, that will focus on fostering an open discussion about AI. Our goal is to help participants:
- Better understand AI technologies
- How and where they work
- Benefits and drawbacks of using AI; and
- How to make informed decisions about if, when, and how to use AI tech
The goal of this meetup is to both educate attendees and ascertain community interest; the topics of our next AI meetups and workshops will be based on your feedback! Possible subjects could include:
- How do LLMs (large language models) actually work?
- AI & ethics: Privacy, data ownership, & copyright
- Local AI agents and/or open-source AI
- Understanding hallucinations, bias, limitations, and reliability
- Comparing different APIs
- AI & the environment
- ?? You tell us!
Date & Time
Wednesday, November 3rd from 7:00PM to 9:30PM
Free bottled water, coffee, and tea are available from our coffee bar. Light snacks will be served. Other drinks and refreshments are available from our vending machines.Discussion Leaders
Jason Lines, Brianne Bogovich, and Ryan RhoadesRequirements:
Recommended donation is $5, but never required. RSVPs preferred, but walk-ins are always welcome!
Click here to RSVP using our website!1 attendee- $165.00
MIG Welding 101: Make Your Own Chain Lamp!
HackPittsburgh, 1936 5th Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, USJoin us at HackPGH for an intensive but fun and informative MIG welding class, intended for complete beginners and/or those looking to brush up on rusty skills while building something fun and functional.
Structure: This class provides the foundation for basic fabrication techniques using one of HackPGH's two MIG welders - the Millermatic 255 "MIGuel" and the Vulcan Omnipro 220. Students will learn to tack-weld into place and fully weld steel. Each student will make and take home an industrial lamp made from heavy duty chain with an Edison-style bulb. Several breaks will be offered throughout the day, including a longer break for a takeout lunch, so please let us know if you have any allergies or food restrictions!
Requirements: No experience required. Ages 16+, minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Safety requirements: Work boots or leather shoes recommended. No open-toed or cloth shoes. Long hair should be tied back, and and we recommend wearing natural fiber clothing such as denim and cotton. All PPE will be provided.
Date & Time: Saturday, November 7th from 11:00am to 5:00pm
Cost: $165, $150 for HackPGH Members
We cannot accept RSVPs through Meetup, YOU MUST CLICK HERE TO REGISTER AND PAY!- Payment is due upon registration. If payment has not been received within four days of the class session, your registration will be voided.
- Contact us if you want to pay with cash.
- No-shows will NOT be refunded.
- If you need to cancel, please contact HackPGH at least 48 hours before the class date!
Instructor(s): George Davidson
Class limit: 4 students
1 attendee 
6th Annual Free Vaccine Clinic
HackPGH, 1936 Fifth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA, Pittsburgh, PA, USProtect yourself and others by attending our Sixth Annual Vaccination Clinic, co-hosted by Hilltop Pharmacy!
Join us at HackPGH and enjoy seasonal movies, snacks, and beverages while the Hilltop Pharmacy team administers the following vaccines:
- COVID/COVID boosters (Moderna mNEXSPIKE, ages 12+)
- Flu (Flucelbax, ages 3 to 64)
- Flu (Fluad, ages 65+)
- Flumist (needle-less vaccine for ages 3-18)
- RSV (75+ and those with certain conditions)
- Shingles
- Pneumonia (65+ and adults with a weakened immune system)
- Tdap - Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis
- Hepatitis A&B
Important: Please take note of the age requirements for each vaccine. This clinic is free and open to the public; insured, underinsured, and uninsured. However, all must bring ID/identification. If you have insurance, PLEASE bring your insurance card! This helps us streamline aid to those who need it. Thank you!
Date & Time: Sunday, November 8th from 11:30am to 1:30pm
Registration: Highly recommended, although walk-ins are welcome. We cannot accept Meetup RSVPs!
Click here to register for the Vaccine ClinicAll registration options are free. You may register for one vaccine, applicable Flu & COVID vaccines, or three or more vaccines. If you need three or more vaccines or have any questions, you must contact us at vaccineclinic (at) hackpittsburgh.org so we can adequately prepare.
Parking: There is free street parking on both sides of Jumonville Street and the fenced side of Watson Street. HackPGH has a small gravel lot off Watson, and on Sundays, overflow parking is available in front of the building off Fifth Avenue.
1 attendee
Past events
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