Ladies & Gentlethems: Shop Safety Certification Class
With Dani Slabaugh
Please Read:
This class is part of our Ladies & Gentlethems series and is intended to create a supportive environment for women and LGBTQ+ individuals. If that isn't the right fit for you, consider Woodworking I: Shop Safety Certification
You MUST take this class before attending Ladies & Gentlethems Open Workshop Sessions OR Open Shop Hours. This class is NOT required in order to take other classes.
This class does NOT cover wood lathes. To use the lathes during Open Shop Hours, you must take a woodturning class.
In this Open Workshop Hours certification class we invite women, gender-expansive, and LGBTQ folks to get a comprehensive overview of our most common industrial woodworking machines in an inclusive and supportive environment. We will guide you through the fundamentals of woodshop safety and you'll get hands-on experience dimensioning lumber, a foundational skill for any woodworking project. This class is the necessary first step for any aspiring woodworker looking to use the woodshop. Join this supportive beginner-friendly workshop, expand your handy DIY skillset, and connect with a community of fellow makers!
Skills & Concepts You’ll Learn:
Essential woodshop safety rules and best practices
How to identify and prevent common woodworking hazards like kickback
Proper setup and operation for each machine
Understanding wood behavior and grain direction
The process of dimensioning rough lumber to be flat, square, and to a specific thickness
Equipment & Tools You’ll Learn:
SawStop Table Saw, Jointer, Planer, Miter Saw, Bandsaw, Router Table, and Drill Press.
Class Outline:
Intro & Safety Overview: Shop rules, personal protective equipment (PPE), and general safety principles.
Machine Demonstrations: Instructor demonstrates the correct and safe operation of each primary woodworking machine.
Hands-On Practice: Under direct supervision, each student will use each machine.
Wrap-Up: Final review and Q&A.
Other Class Details:
Prerequisites: None. No Experience Required.
Class Capacity: 6 maximum, 3 minimum
Materials Provided?: Yes
Age Limit: 13+ (Guardian required if under 18. You MUST be 18+ to use Open Workshop Hours)
Partner Ticket Available?: No
Private Class Available?: Yes (info)
Financial Assistance Available? Yes (info)
Clothing/Equipment Requirements?: Comfortable well fitted clothing, close-toed shoes, put your hair up, and be prepared to get a little dirty.
About Your Teacher
Dani (they/them or she/her) has been DIYing since their teenage years, when their mom taught them how to safely use her miter saw in the family living room. Dani spent nearly a decade working as a landscape contractor, has built two small backyard homes (a yurt and a 12x8 tiny home on wheels), and since moving to Denver has enjoyed learning to build furniture at DTL. They are excited to share the liberated feeling that comes with the tool know-how to build the thing you want, how you want it.