Open Workshop Hours

FAQ | Gift Bucks

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.

*We have a Women & LGBTQ+ version of Shop Safety Certification! Learn more about our Ladies & Gentlethems Series.

How to use OPEN SHOP:

  1. Get Certified:

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

  3. Purchase: Pay by the hour or buy a 10-20 hour punch card to save money. Click here for pricing.

Open Shop Hours Info & FAQs

  • Open Shop Hours:

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

    • Thursdays: 2pm-7pm

    • Saturdays: 10am-3pm

  • *Open Shop hours and punch cards are purchased in-shop.

    Hourly:

    • $22/hr: Non-Members

    • $19/hr: Members

    Punch Cards:

    • 10-Hour Punch Card: $165

    • 20-Hour Punch Card: $300

    • 10-Hour Woodturning-Only Punch Card: $120

    • 20-Hour Woodturning-Only Punch Card: $220

    • Planer Fee: First 20 minutes included; $1/minute thereafter.

    Need financial support? Thanks to our Share the Tools Fund donors, you can apply for financial assistance.

  • Open Shop Tools:

    • 20" Planer

    • 12" Jointer

    • 17" Bandsaw

    • SawStop Table Saw

    • Floor Drill Press

    • Router Table

    • 12” Miter Saw

    • Wood Lathes (requires Woodturning I or II)

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

  • No. If you only plan to use the wood lathes, you only need to take Woodturning I or II. You do not need to take Woodworking I: Shop Safety.

    However, we still recommend taking Shop Safety because lathe turners often need to cut their own blanks on the bandsaw or miter saw. Without Shop Safety certification, you cannot use any other shop power tools.

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

  • Dress Code

    • No loose clothing, shoes must cover the entire foot, and no music headphones.

    • Long hair must be tied back or covered.

    Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

    • Safety Glasses must be worn at all times while operating tools.

    • Hearing Protection is highly recommended while operating loud tools.

    • Dust Masks are highly recommended during any activity that generates dust.

    Inspect Tools & Materials

    • Make sure your material is completely free of foreign objects like nails, screws, etc before machining.

    • Inspect all tools before you use them. If something looks wrong or feels broken - tell a monitor.

    • Never remove a piece of safety equipment or guard from a machine unless given explicit permission.

    • Nothing should ever feel like you have to force to get it to work. If a power switch, adjustment lever, knob or handwheel feels stuck, ask a monitor about it. Don’t keep cranking ‘till you break it!

    Clean Up as You Go, Clean Up on Time

    • Clean the machine you used when you’re done with it.

    • Do not let scrap or dust pile up near where you’re working.

    • Keep walkways and floors free of tripping hazards while working.

    • Work stops and final clean up begins no later than 15 minutes before closing time. Be respectful of our staff’s time and realistic about the time each operation will take and plan your work accordingly.

    Workshop Mindfulness

    • Do your best to clear your mind and focus while you are in the shop.

    • Never rush - take your time. Slow is fast - it takes twice as long to rush and need to do it again.

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

    • No horseplay!

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

    • Never distract anyone while they’re working - wait until they finish to get their attention

    • If someone else is using a tool and they step away, ask if they are done before using it.

    • Be considerate of the time you spend on a given tool if others are waiting. Tools are first come first serve but it’s always appreciated if you’re able to let others work in.

    Other Safety Stuff

    • Never work alone in the shop - there should always be a shop monitor present. Report every injury, no matter how minor.

    • Safety First! If you're unsure, ask for assistance.

  • No, sorry. We just aren’t big enough for that.

  • No, this is not a service that we offer at this time.

  • Unfortunately not. 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.

  • 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.

🎁Open Workshop Gift Bucks

How it Works:

Open Workshop Gift Bucks come in the form of a code. You choose how much $ you want the code to be worth. This code can be applied to any Open Workshop Punch Card or individual hours. Gift Bucks do not expire.

Please Note:

*Open Workshop Gift Bucks are only good toward Open Workshop Punch Cards and hours. We have different gift certificates for Classes and Tool Library Memberships.


Open Workshop GIFT Pricing

  • 10-Hour Punch Card: $165

    20-Hour Punch Card: $300

    10-Hour Woodturning-Only Punch Card: $120

    20-Hour Woodturning-Only Punch Card: $220

Buy Open Shop Gift Bucks