CNC Router - Orientation

CHILL ACT North Carolina Special Needs & Homeschool Expo is a free community event bringing families together with local providers, educators, therapists, community organizations, and resources supporting children with autism, special needs, and homeschool families. Join us on Saturday, August 29, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the Durham Convention Center. Families can explore valuable local resources, meet therapy and educational providers, and enjoy a welcoming day filled with activities for children. Event highlights include: • Free developmental & pre-autism screenings • Therapy, education & community resources • Balloon art • Face painting • Bounce house • Petting zoo • Art exhibition featuring neurodiverse children • Local vendors and family resources Admission is FREE for families. Register for free at www.chillactexpo.com Come connect, learn, explore resources, and enjoy a fun-filled afternoon with the North Carolina special needs and homeschool community.

The third edition of JLF North Carolina, an international edition of the renowned Jaipur Literature Festival, comes to Raleigh September 11–13, 2026, bringing the spirit of one of the world's leading literary festivals to the Triangle. Celebrating the many arts, stories, and histories of Raleigh—the “City of Oaks”—JLF North Carolina will feature thought-provoking conversations, compelling performances, author sessions, and cultural experiences exploring literature, ideas, history, society, and the world around us. The festival will take place at Meredith College and NC State’s Institute for Emerging Issues. The program will bring together acclaimed authors, artists, thinkers, journalists, and cultural leaders from North Carolina and around the world. The 2026 lineup includes Belle Boggs, Jeff Tiberii, Karan Mahajan, Bob Crawford, and many more. The Jaipur Literature Festival takes place annually in Jaipur, India, and is internationally celebrated as the “greatest literary show on Earth.” Its spirit now travels through international editions across the US, UK, Canada, Spain, the Maldives, and Australia, bringing together diverse literary traditions and the unique culture of each host region. JLF North Carolina offers readers, families, students, educators, writers, and curious minds an opportunity to discover new perspectives, hear remarkable stories, and experience the power of books and ideas right here in Raleigh.

FREE Family Fest in Raleigh — Saturday, September 12! Looking for a full day of family fun, creativity, connection, and outdoor adventure? Join us for the 3rd Annual Family Fest at Lakeside Retreats! Optional overnight Camping 📅 Saturday, September 12, 2026 ⏰ 8:00 AM–9:00 PM 📍 4521 Mial Plantation Road, Raleigh, NC 27610 🎟️ FREE admission Enjoy a day filled with: 🔥 Fire show 🎨 Art activities 🥋 Martial arts class 🫧 Bubbles 🧘 Yoga and sound bath 🌲 Forest bathing 🏕️ S’mores and optional overnight camping 🍴 Food trucks and vendors 💛 Sensory yurt 🎤 Guest speakers 🏆 Tug of war …and so much more!

Safe Homes, Strong Families Resource Day is a free community event presented by PR Home Care for older adults, family caregivers, and families who want to plan ahead and connect with trusted local resources before a crisis occurs. Meet local professionals and learn about fall prevention, aging in place and home safety, dementia and caregiver support, planning, medication safety, home organization, and other resources that can support safer, more independent living. Aging in Place North Carolina will provide a featured presentation, “How to Safely and Comfortably Age in the Home You Love.” The event will also include community resources, giveaways, and complimentary light refreshments while supplies last. Free and open to the public. Walk-ins are welcome.

This class teaches the fundamental techniques required to create pattern welded Damascus steel. You will master the process of stacking alternating layers of 1084 and 15N20 steel to forge a functional eight layer metal billet from scratch. Participants will prepare their steel stacks, perform forge welds using a high temperature gas forge, and manually manipulate the metal through twisting to produce distinct patterns. You will leave this hands on workshop with a personalized steel billet suitable for crafting custom items like bottle openers, bracelets, or small knives. This experience provides essential experience in high carbon steel manipulation and advanced blacksmithing methods. This course is designed for individuals who have already completed the required Forging Intro class. The workshop is physically demanding and requires participants to swing heavy hammers while working with one inch thick steel. Basic MIG welding skills are highly recommended for success. If you are ready to expand your blacksmithing repertoire and create high quality material for future projects, register today to secure your space in the forge.

This course provides hands-on training for welding thin gauge metals without causing warping or burn-through. It is designed to help participants master heat control when working with delicate materials like automotive body panels or fine art sculptures. Students will learn specific techniques to manage heat input effectively. The curriculum covers essential connections including spot welding, plug welding, and lap welding. You will practice these methods on sample joints to gain confidence in your technique. By the end of the session, you will possess the practical skills needed to tackle rust repair and precision metal projects. This class is ideal for individuals who want to improve their technical welding capabilities. A foundational understanding of fabrication or previous welding experience is required to ensure success. The environment is focused, productive, and centered on skill development. We encourage you to sign up now to secure your spot and start refining your craft with our experienced instructors. Please confirm you meet the prerequisite requirements before registering for this session.

This workshop introduces the industrial process of bronze sandcasting adapted for small scale production. Participants learn a sustainable, low tech casting method that emphasizes material reuse and efficient mold creation using Petrobond sand and iron frames. Students will master the entire production cycle. This includes preparing molds, melting bronze with oxy propane torches, and pouring metal into custom frames. The session also covers essential metal finishing techniques such as sawing, filing, sanding, sandblasting, and applying a professional patina. Instructors provide foundational patterns for practice, though attendees may eventually create jewelry, sculptural elements, or unique hardware. This course is ideal for beginners and makers interested in metalwork. The hands on environment is quick, satisfying, and produces minimal waste. It offers a practical way to develop professional metal fabrication skills in an approachable setting. Whether you are a hobbyist or an artist looking to expand your technical repertoire, this experience provides the necessary foundation for independent production. Sign up to learn the fundamentals of metal casting and start creating your own bronze pieces today.

College Discount Night is a special monthly event designed to provide students with an affordable creative outlet. Participants can enjoy a significantly reduced studio fee by simply presenting a valid school ID at check in. This event serves as a budget friendly opportunity to gather with friends and unwind through artistic expression. Attendees can choose from over four hundred unique pottery items to paint in the studio. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned artist you are free to customize your piece however you like. The studio provides a relaxed environment where you can work at your own pace without pressure. This experience focuses on individual creativity and hands on fun using a wide selection of ceramics and glazing options. This event is perfect for college students seeking a productive break from their academic schedule. The atmosphere is casual and welcoming for groups or individuals looking to explore their artistic side. Come visit us to take advantage of this special rate and help us establish this gathering as a recurring tradition. We look forward to seeing your creativity in action.

This class teaches the fundamental techniques required to create pattern welded Damascus steel. You will master the process of stacking alternating layers of 1084 and 15N20 steel to forge a functional eight layer metal billet from scratch. Participants will prepare their steel stacks, perform forge welds using a high temperature gas forge, and manually manipulate the metal through twisting to produce distinct patterns. You will leave this hands on workshop with a personalized steel billet suitable for crafting custom items like bottle openers, bracelets, or small knives. This experience provides essential experience in high carbon steel manipulation and advanced blacksmithing methods. This course is designed for individuals who have already completed the required Forging Intro class. The workshop is physically demanding and requires participants to swing heavy hammers while working with one inch thick steel. Basic MIG welding skills are highly recommended for success. If you are ready to expand your blacksmithing repertoire and create high quality material for future projects, register today to secure your space in the forge.

This workshop teaches you how to construct a realistic snake plant using simple papercraft techniques. You will learn to manipulate paper, apply paint, and integrate wire to create a low-maintenance decorative plant that mimics the appearance of real greenery without the need for light or water. During the session, you will assemble custom leaves by layering materials and adding detailed textures. We provide all necessary supplies including high-quality paper, specialized paints, and structural wires. Our instructors guide you through each step of the shaping and painting process to ensure your final creation looks authentic and durable. You will leave the class with a complete potted snake plant ready for display. This event is perfect for busy individuals, art enthusiasts, and anyone looking for a creative outlet. The atmosphere is casual and collaborative, making it suitable for all skill levels. We welcome participants who want to learn a new hobby or simply enjoy a productive afternoon. Space is limited to ensure personal instruction for every attendee. Register today to secure your spot and start your journey into botanical papercraft.

The Raleigh Female Founder Happy Hour is a recurring networking event designed for women entrepreneurs and professionals in the Triangle area to connect and exchange ideas. The primary goal is to provide a consistent space for those building businesses or launching new projects to build their local professional networks in a relaxed setting. Attendees can expect a casual environment focused on meaningful conversation rather than structured programming or sales pitches. There are no formal presentations or keynote speakers. Instead the evening is dedicated to open mingling and fostering organic relationships between founders freelancers and creative professionals. This format ensures that participants have the flexibility to drop in and connect with others at their own pace. If you are looking to expand your support system or simply engage with like minded peers this event offers an ideal opportunity to step away from your daily work. The atmosphere remains inclusive and approachable for women at every stage of their professional journey. We invite you to join us this August to meet new collaborators and recharge through positive community interaction in the Raleigh area.

This class teaches the fundamental techniques required to create pattern welded Damascus steel. You will master the process of stacking alternating layers of 1084 and 15N20 steel to forge a functional eight layer metal billet from scratch. Participants will prepare their steel stacks, perform forge welds using a high temperature gas forge, and manually manipulate the metal through twisting to produce distinct patterns. You will leave this hands on workshop with a personalized steel billet suitable for crafting custom items like bottle openers, bracelets, or small knives. This experience provides essential experience in high carbon steel manipulation and advanced blacksmithing methods. This course is designed for individuals who have already completed the required Forging Intro class. The workshop is physically demanding and requires participants to swing heavy hammers while working with one inch thick steel. Basic MIG welding skills are highly recommended for success. If you are ready to expand your blacksmithing repertoire and create high quality material for future projects, register today to secure your space in the forge.

This workshop teaches you how to construct a realistic snake plant using simple papercraft techniques. You will learn to manipulate paper, apply paint, and integrate wire to create a low-maintenance decorative plant that mimics the appearance of real greenery without the need for light or water. During the session, you will assemble custom leaves by layering materials and adding detailed textures. We provide all necessary supplies including high-quality paper, specialized paints, and structural wires. Our instructors guide you through each step of the shaping and painting process to ensure your final creation looks authentic and durable. You will leave the class with a complete potted snake plant ready for display. This event is perfect for busy individuals, art enthusiasts, and anyone looking for a creative outlet. The atmosphere is casual and collaborative, making it suitable for all skill levels. We welcome participants who want to learn a new hobby or simply enjoy a productive afternoon. Space is limited to ensure personal instruction for every attendee. Register today to secure your spot and start your journey into botanical papercraft.