Tinker Lab News & Updates
Tinker Lab Equipment Training
The Tinker Lab offers a variety of machines and equipment to create your projects. Some machines require a certification to use independently, while others are available to members of the public comfortable using them.
Training Required
Certification is required to use our laser cutter, 3D printers, and CNC routing machine.
Watch our training videos below, then schedule a time to come in for your certification test!
Please note: Certification tests are fully booked for the month of April 2026.
Laser Cutter Basics (Level 1): Training Video
Laser Cutter Rotary Attachment (Level 2): Training Video
*Note: You must be fully certified with the laser cutter before you may take the rotary attachment class or certification test.
The Epilog Zing is our 60-watt C02 laser cutter with a work area of 24” x 12”. The laser cutter can cut and engrave a wide variety of materials including wood, glass, acrylic, slate, cork, paper, and more. Using Abobe Illustrator and our laser cutter, bring your designs from 2D to 3D with amazing precision.
3D Printer Elegoo Neptune 4 (Level 1): Coming Soon!
3D Printer Prusa (Level 2): Training Video
*Note: You must be certified with our Level 1 3D Printer before you may take the Prusa class or certification test.
The Elegoo Neptune 4 makes solid, three-dimensional objects out of melted Polylactide (PLA) Filament. The printer will melt PLA filament and squeeze it out onto the build plate in thin lines to build your object layer by layer.
The Prusa MK4 delivers smoother, more detailed 3D prints. Level 1 certification is required in order to take this training.
Carvey CNC: Training Video
This Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machine, the Carvey, uses various sized drill bits to carve 3D designs into wood and plastic. With a work area of 12” X 8” and the beginner-friendly Easel software, the Carvey is the perfect machine for those interested in using CNC for the first time.
Coming Soon!
Videos for our other Tinker Lab machines will be released to this page throughout the spring and summer. Watch this space for updates or sign up for our Ives Squared newsletter!
Machines include:
- Cricut Maker (standard size cutting machine)
- Cricut Venture (large format cutting machine)
- Cricut mug press
- Cricut hat press
- Thermal press
- Liene PixCut S1
Tinker Lab Resources
Learn How to use InkStitch
Use the free InkStitch software to design your own embroidery files!
Equipment Certifications
Get certified in a variety of skills directly from Ives Squared.
Cricut Design Space
Browse thousands of images, ready-to-make projects, and fonts in the Cricut Library.
Easel by Inventables
An all-in-one software solution for you so you can start carving in minutes.
Tinkercad
A free, easy-to-use web app that equips the next generation of designers and engineers with the foundational skills for innovation.
Testimonials
"Thank you so much for helping me add the lyrics to our Where Do We Want Our Green to Go song yesterday. You helped our Peace Team get over the last big hump. Great to know that New Haven’s Public Library offers such great service to us citizens!”
Millie Grenough
MAT, CRS, LCSW, PCC, Certified EMDR-Level II
Coach, Speaker, Author OASIS in the Overwhelm™
“My experience at Ives Squared has been one of connections. As a connector myself, this is something I truly appreciate."
Barb Nangle
Higherpowercc.com Higher Power Coaching
Ives Squared Patron & Speaker
The Ives Squared Tinker Lab works with many community partners to expand our reach and offerings to makers of all types and in all stages, including with MakeHaven, CTNext, and the New Haven Innovation Collaborative, among others. With so many local organizations teaming up with us to ensure the goals of Ives Squared are met, makers and creatives can be confident that working with us is one of the best ways to access information, database resources, knowledge, mentorship, and other opportunities.