Open Workshop Hours

Your Project, Our Workshop.

You might call it a community workshop, a public woodshop, an open workspace, or a makerspace. No matter what you call it, we offer access to our industrial sized woodworking tools including a SawStop table saw, jointer, planer, bandsaw, miter saw, drill press, router table, and lathes. Work on any project you choose with guidance from our expert woodworker shop monitors in our 1500 sq. ft workshop plus outdoor area, all for an affordable hourly fee.

How to use OPEN SHOP:

  1. You MUST complete our comprehensive Shop Safety & Certification class before using Open Shop. Check our calendar for upcoming Shop Safety classes.

  2. At this time, Open Shop is first come, first served - just show up ready to make during open hours.

  3. Pay by the hour or buy a 10 hour punch card to save money. Click here for pricing.

*You must be 18+ to use the workshop, even if accompanied by an adult.

Open Shop Hours

*Open Shop Hours are different than regular Tool Library hours!

Thursdays: 2pm-7pm

Saturdays: 10am-3pm



Pricing:

Having trouble affording Open Workshop Hours? Thanks to our Share the Tools Fund donors, you can now apply for Financial Assistance.

  • Hourly - $22/hr (or $19/hour if you’re a Tool Library Member!)

  • 10 Hour Punch Card - $165

  • 10 Hour Punch Card WOODTURNING ONLY - $120

  • Private Workshop Hours - click here for info.

  • additional fee for planer: $1/minute after the first 20 minutes.



The Tools:

  • 20" Planer

  • 12" Jointer

  • 17" Bandsaw

  • SawStop Table Saw

  • Floor Drill Press

  • Router Table

  • 12” Miter Saw

  • Lathes (must take one of our woodturning classes to use)

  • Access to all the tools in the library (drills, sanders, clamps, you name it)



FAQ

Can I store my project/lumber there? No, sorry. We just aren’t big enough for that.

Will you (cut / plane / sand / drill) my boards for me if I drop them off?
No, this is not a service that we offer at this time.

Can I come in on (Tuesday / Sunday / some other time that is not Open Shop hours) and just set up a tool in the front room and use it? 

If you are unable to attend during regular open workshop hours, we suggest that you check out tools from the tool library or that you look into purchasing Private Shop Time (see below).

I’m driving in from (Nebraska / the Mountains / Wyoming). Can I make a reservation for Open Shop to make sure the machine I want to use is open?

No, Open Shop is like a gym - there are no reservations of equipment. Users are encouraged to be considerate of each other and take turns, but this isn’t always possible and the machinery is all first come, first served.

You could consider arranging Private Shop Time which starts at $150 for 2 hours. If you’re interested, fill out the Private Shop Time form on our website, Just click on the Community Workshop tab and scroll down: https://denvertoollibrary.org/community-workshop

Do you have a drum sander? No, we do not have a drum sander. And please note that we cannot allow end grain cutting boards in the planer for safety reasons.

DTL RULES & GUIDELINES FOR BEING SAFE

PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH THE FOLLOWING:

1. Sign in with the Shop Monitor when you enter the shop.

2. Dress Code:

  • Safety glasses must be worn at all times while in the shop.

  • Shoes must cover the entire foot.

  • No loose clothing.

  • No music headphones or earbuds.

  • Long hair must be tied back or covered.

  • Wear clothes that make sense for what you’re doing. For example: if you’re welding, wear long sleeves and pants. Wear gloves when holding sharp or hot things.

  • Hearing protection is not required, but highly recommended.

  • Respirators and dust masks are not required, but recommended based on the task.

3. Drinks and food are not allowed in the shop.

4. Never attempt to use equipment you are not certified to use.

5. Never remove a lockout device on a machine without permission from the shop monitor.

6. Inspect every piece of equipment before using it and report anything broken or missing. Make sure the equipment is operating normally. If you can, operate it manually before turning it on.

7. Inspect your material before using any equipment. Make sure there is no metal in the wood if you’re using reclaimed wood. Make sure it isn’t wet either. Both of these things are capable of setting off the SawStop safety feature, and metal will ruin the teeth on the planer and jointer.

8. Never take a tool out of the shop.

9. Never remove a piece of safety equipment or a guard from a machine without permission from the shop steward.

10. Never work alone in the shop - there should always be a shop steward present.

11. Report every injury, no matter how minor, to the shop steward. Even if it’s just a scrape or a bruise or a small cut, report it. These reports will help us keep everyone safer in the future.

12. No horseplay.

13. Never work in the shop if you’ve been drinking, using drugs, are tired, or in any altered state.

14. Never rush. Take your time.

15. Do your best to clear your mind and focus while you are in the shop. Focus on the task at hand and plan your work ahead of time.

16. Clean up as you go. Clean the machine you used when you’re done with it before moving onto something else. Keep walkways and floors free of tripping hazards while working.

17. Always be considerate of others in the shop. If someone else is using something and they step away, don’t touch the machine until you verify that they are actually done. Do not move someone else’s materials or project without permission. Don’t spend all day on one machine if you know there are others waiting. Maybe take a break and let someone else jump in, or alternate with them.

18. Minors (those under 18) are not permitted to participate in open workshop hours, even if accompanied by an adult.

19. Do not distract anyone while they are working. If you need someone’s attention, wait until they are done using the machine they are working on.

20. Be aware of your surroundings. Be careful when walking behind people or where they can’t see you.

21. Report any unsafe or unsettling behavior to the shop monitor.

22. Sign out with the shop steward when you leave the shop.