This paper reports on a study using cultural probes to investigate the definitions of making amongst groups of hobbyists. It examines communities of enthusiasts who regularly make tools and equipment for their activities and explores examples of things made and practical problems solved in order to gain insights, opinions, circumstances and motivations from them. The study included over 60 participants from mixed demographic backgrounds with diverse types of hobbies and levels of ability. The access to commercial manufacturing processes has been lowered through systems and spaces known under the term ‘open design’. Open design has enabled users to make bespoke products with a higher quality output through to the use of digital fabrication.