News & Digests
Curated roundups of industry news, product launches, and insights tailored for makers. Each story includes analysis on what it means for your workshop.
Know what changed before it changes your workshop.
Every morning, our news desk checks official product pages, release notes, launch terms, software updates, and credible maker reporting. When a change affects what to buy, update, test, or ignore, we send a short decision brief with the source, the workshop consequence, and what remains unknown.
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See how The Workshop Signal worksThis Week's Stories
17 storiesSFC Closes $250,007 Baltobu Fundraiser; Bambu Compliance Dispute Continues
Checked July 20, 2026: Software Freedom Conservancy says the baltobu campaign closed at $250,007. Its May 18 statement describes two unresolved allegations: incomplete corresponding source involving Bambu Studio and networking libraries, and a separate AGPL section 10 restriction involving an OrcaSlicer fork. The campaign is complete; the compliance dispute is not.
Makera Announces Makerables for Z1 Ahead of Open Sauce
Checked July 20, 2026: Makera's July 16 release said it planned to showcase the Z1 and Makerables at Open Sauce. Makera describes Makerables as a community and AI-assisted project platform for desktop CNC users. The official Z1 store page still labeled the 150W machine a pre-order at a $1,099 sale price and retained mid-July first-batch dispatch copy; that listing does not confirm that fulfillment has started.
Stern Factory Tour Terms: One Annual Visit for All-Access Members and a Guest
Checked July 20, 2026: Stern's factory-tour page says a paid All-Access member receives one complimentary tour per year for the member and one guest. Tours last one hour and are offered most Thursdays. Additional guests or additional tours cost $25 per person. Confirm an available date before making travel plans.
eufyMake Splits E1 Roadmap: Q3 Bidirectional Mode, High-Capacity CISS Later in 2026
Checked July 18, 2026. eufyMake says a Q3 software update will add bidirectional printing to the E1. Its A4 paper test fell from 18:34 to 9:30, about 49% less elapsed time and nearly double the throughput for that manufacturer test. The high-capacity CISS follows a separate schedule: eufyMake's article says later in 2026, and its current banner says Q4. CISS system pricing is not final; compatible high-capacity ink is described at about $0.1x/ml. Neither update is live. Individual cartridges remain listed at $29.99 per 100 ml after the July 13 price change.
Milwaukee Lists Three M12 FUEL Extended Reach Ratchets at $279 Bare
Checked July 18, 2026. Milwaukee's official announcement lists three M12 FUEL Extended Reach Ratchets at $279 bare. The 1/4-inch 3058-20 is 15.4 inches, 1.8 lb, 550 RPM, and 45 ft-lbs. The 3/8-inch 3059-20 is 16.2 inches, 2.1 lb, 400 RPM, and 70 ft-lbs. The 1/2-inch 3055-20 is 16.5 inches, 2.2 lb, 300 RPM, and 80 ft-lbs. Milwaukee lists $379 kits for the 1/4- and 3/8-inch models with an M12 High Output 2.5 Ah battery, charger, and modular trigger caps. Protective boots are $29. Availability can vary by model and seller.
xTool O1 Omni Post-Window MSRPs and 3D Embroidery Workflow Revealed in July 16 Press Release
Checked July 17, 2026: xTool's July 16 issuer release lists post-August 15 MSRPs — Single UV Standalone $2,499 (launch $1,699, +$800), Dual UV Standalone $3,299 (launch $2,699, +$600), and DT + UV $3,499 (launch $2,799, +$700). The release says xTool kept its Desktop 3D Embroidery Workflow under wraps during pre-order and names AI Embossed Embroidery, a 2,000+ Texture Library, 7mm relief, and a Lenticular 3D Generator. These are manufacturer claims; the test unit has not arrived.
Stern Pop-Up Arcade at SDCC 2026: Pokémon and Transformers, No Badge Required
Checked July 17, 2026: the San Diego Comic-Con Unofficial Blog reports a public Stern pop-up arcade at the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina (333 W Harbor Dr), July 23–25, Thursday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The report says no SDCC badge is required and names Pokémon and Transformers pinball machines. A direct Stern event page confirming the full logistics was not established; verify before traveling.
I Watched xTool Launch the O1 Omni. Here's What Changed.
Checked July 16, 2026: full O1 Omni orders are open after xTool's July 15 livestream. The three demos worth watching covered Pixel-Scan alignment on a tiny corner-positioned coin, Rotary surface mapping around handled drinkware, and the wider apparel, print-and-cut, finishing, and maintenance workflow. Deposit backers were told shipping starts in August; new direct orders currently show early September for Dual UV and mid-September for Single UV and DT + UV.
Makera Z1 Still Lists Mid-July First-Batch Dispatch; Start Unconfirmed
Checked July 17, 2026. Makera's official page still labels the Z1 a pre-order and lists first-batch dispatch in mid-July; it does not confirm that units have begun dispatching. The base machine remains listed at $1,099 with a 150W spindle, while the fourth-axis kit and 5W laser module are optional. Verify the live dispatch estimate and included equipment for the selected configuration.
Bambu Lab Anniversary Sale Ended; Check Current P2S Combo and H2C Prices
Checked July 17, 2026. Bambu Lab's issuer release described a June 15–July 15 anniversary campaign with the P2S Combo at $699 against a listed $799 regular price and the H2C at $2,149 against a listed $2,399 regular price, calling both first-ever discounts. A July 16 Lucky Draw was the final campaign benefit. No next sale is announced; verify the current store price and configuration.
xTool O1 Omni Final Payment Runs July 15–August 15; P2 and P2S Support Confirmed
Checked July 15, 2026: the xTool O1 Omni deposit phase closed at midnight PDT July 15. xTool says final payment opens at 5:30 p.m. PDT / 8:30 p.m. EDT on July 15 and runs through August 15, closing at 11:59:59 p.m. local time. Qualifying deposit holders choose any available edition at final payment; purchased editions cannot be upgraded. Eight U.S. launch bundles range from $1,699 (Single UV Standalone) to $3,969 (DT + UV Versatile Bundle). A July 14 FAQ update lists P2 and P2S alongside P3, S1, M2, and M1 Ultra for Laser Meets Printer. The scheduled July 15 6 p.m. PDT / 9 p.m. EDT xTool event offers a chance to win $500 O1 Machine Vouchers.
Ridgid NUKE 18V Subcompact Platform Launches at Home Depot — 7 Tools From $139
Checked July 15, 2026: Ridgid launched the NUKE 18V subcompact brushless platform exclusively at The Home Depot in July 2026. The lineup includes seven tools in eight configurations: drill kit $139, drill + impact driver combo $219, impact driver tool-only $169, circular saw tool-only $149. A blower joins the lineup in October 2026. All tools use the full 18V ONE+ battery platform in a subcompact form factor.
xTool O1 Omni Launch Listings Show Eight Bundles from $1,699 to $3,969 and a $399 Replacement Printhead
Checked July 14, 2026. xTool launch material lists eight O1 Omni U.S. launch bundles: Single UV Standalone $1,699 and Rotary $2,059; Dual UV Standalone $2,699, Rotary $3,059, and Versatile $3,869; DT + UV Standalone $2,799, Rotary $3,159, and Versatile $3,969. The O1 Omni Printer Replacement Printhead (UV/DT) is listed at $399. xTool's official voucher data sets the $50 refundable U.S. deposit cutoff at 12:00 a.m. PDT / 3:00 a.m. EDT July 15; xTool separately says launch pricing continues for a limited period after launch.
Brule Opens Partner-Run Bambu Lab Showroom; US Experience Stores Remain in Development
Checked July 14, 2026: Brule Inc. opened a Bambu Lab Certified Store inside its Minowa office in Tokyo on July 13. Visitors can see operating machines, inspect samples, consult staff, and buy in-stock products. Bambu Lab says US experience stores with local partners are in development, but no location or standard format has been announced.
PAGV Asks Three Printer Makers to Adopt Blocking Tech; New York Sale Rule Awaits Standards
Checked July 14, 2026: New York's law establishes a feasibility, standards, and rulemaking process for 3D-printer blocking technology. The future sale or delivery restriction begins one year after rules are published and can be delayed if the technology is found infeasible. PAGV separately asked Bambu Lab, Creality, and Flashforge to adopt safeguards voluntarily.
Pokémon Pro and Premium Join the IFPA Stern Rewards List
Checked July 14, 2026: Stern says Pokémon Pro and Premium have joined the IFPA Stern Rewards list. Players must meet one of IFPA's current qualification paths, maintain a complete profile, and observe the one-game-per-program-year limit; selections remain subject to availability.
Stern Posts Code Across 34 Games and Names Mountain Dew as Pro Circuit Sponsor
Checked July 14, 2026: Stern says new code was posted across 34 games and directs owners to its game-code support page for title-specific files and notes. Stern also named Mountain Dew as 2026 Pro Circuit sponsor; IFPA lists 20 schedule entries, including three events whose dates remain to be determined.
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