Western Michigan University has makerspace facilities, but they're exclusively for students and faculty. This comparison explains what's available at WMU and how Kzoo Makers serves the broader Kalamazoo community.
WMU makerspaces are NOT open to the public. You must be a currently enrolled WMU student or faculty member to access these facilities. There is no community membership or guest access option.
If you're not affiliated with WMU, Kzoo Makers is your only option for makerspace access in Kalamazoo.
Who Can Access: Anyone (membership required)
Cost: $5-$60/month
Location: WMU Libraries, West Campus
Who Can Access: WMU students and faculty only
Cost: Included in tuition
| Feature | Kzoo Makers | WMU Makerspace |
|---|---|---|
| Public Access | ✅ Yes (membership) | ❌ Students/faculty only |
| WMU Enrollment Required | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Cost for Non-Students | $5-$60/month | Not available to non-students |
| Hours | Evenings/weekends + 56 hours/week | Library hours only (daytime) |
| Access Duration | Ongoing (as long as member) | Semester-bound |
| Wood Shop | ✅ Full shop with all major tools | ❌ None |
| Metal Shop / Welding | ✅ MIG/TIG welding, grinders, fabrication | ❌ None (except specific engineering programs) |
| Laser Cutting | ✅ Industrial 100W laser | ❌ Not available for general use |
| CNC Router | ✅ Full-size (4'x8' capable) | ⚠️ Department-specific only |
| 3D Printing | ✅ Multiple printers, hands-on access | ⚠️ Limited, being phased out |
| Electronics Lab | ✅ Full benches, soldering, oscilloscopes | ⚠️ Engineering labs only (major-restricted) |
| Textiles / Sewing | ✅ Sewing machines, sergers | ❌ None |
| Tool Access Model | Hands-on after safety training | Staff-supervised or course-based |
| Commercial Use | ✅ Explicitly supported | ❌ Academic use only |
| Project Storage | ✅ Member storage available | ⚠️ Limited |
| Community | Diverse makers, peer mentorship | Student-focused, academic |
WMU's primary makerspace is located in the Zhang Legacy Collections Center (part of WMU Libraries). It was designed to support academic research and coursework.
What's Available:
What's NOT Available:
WMU has additional equipment in various academic departments (Engineering, Art, etc.), but these are:
Many WMU students are members of Kzoo Makers because we offer tools and access that WMU doesn't provide:
Student Discount: Kzoo Makers offers student membership rates. Use WMU resources for coursework and Kzoo Makers for everything else.
WMU's makerspace serves students for academic purposes with limited equipment and library hours.
Kzoo Makers serves the entire Kalamazoo community with professional fabrication tools, hands-on access, and flexible hours.
If you're not a WMU student, Kzoo Makers is your only option.
If you ARE a WMU student, Kzoo Makers gives you access to tools and hours WMU can't provide.
No. WMU makerspaces are exclusively for enrolled students and faculty. There is no public access, guest pass, or community membership option.
Not for general student use. Some specialized programs may have restricted equipment, but there's no general-access wood or metal shop like Kzoo Makers offers.
Absolutely! Many WMU students join Kzoo Makers to access tools WMU doesn't have and to work on projects outside of academic hours. We offer student membership rates.
Generally no. WMU makerspaces follow library hours, which are primarily weekday daytime hours. Kzoo Makers is open evenings and weekends with 56 hours a week of access for trained members.
No. WMU facilities are for academic use only. Commercial or business projects are not permitted. Kzoo Makers explicitly supports entrepreneurial and commercial use.
Join Kzoo Makers—the only public makerspace with wood, metal, laser, and CNC in Kalamazoo.
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