Is the shop on normal schedule?
Yes
January 2025 shop day is Saturday the 4th.
February 2025 shop day is Saturday the 1st.
March 2025 shop day is Saturday the 2st.
Please read all of the rules for the shop.
The shop is open from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM on the first Saturday of every month.
I will update this page if there is an interruption to that schedule.
I typically can't hear my phone in the shop. This page will tell you if I'm out there.
I will happily explain how to use any tool in the shop, provide examples, and help in any way I can. Safety is my absolute priority. Please make it yours too.
If you want to have a beer or take an edible, great! But that is the end of tool time.
NEVER distract someone while they are working unless it is safety related.
Please bring safety glasses, hearing protection, aprons, and any other safety equipment appropriate to the work you are doing.
I have storage, but it is limited. Please ask in advance if you would like to leave materials for your project.
I appreciate the desire to help, but please ask before you bring over tools, supplies, appliances, chairs, decorations, or anything you intend to leave in the shop. If you want to help, there's always the...
If you use the shop, the suggested optional donation is $3 per day. This helps me cover supplies, sharpening, maintenance, electricity, and tool replacement. Venmo is the easiest way to do that.
While I am happy to help you with design or prototyping, Open Shop day is not for profit.
If you would like to use the shop for large part runs or commercial use, we can work something out separately.
I will provide many of the consumable supplies like bits, sandpaper, basic fasteners, and the like. Any additional materials like wood, plywood, or specialty parts are your responsibility.
Don't put it down, put it away.
Clean it off when it gets dirty.
Tools break, and that's OK! Tell me about it so I can fix it or replace it.
I spent over 20 years in the wood shop at my buddy Dave's place. I learned a ton about woodworking, built a lot of things, and passed very enjoyable time with one of the best friends I've had in this life. I always felt welcome and I always knew the shop would be available for me. Dave passed away on May 15th, 2023. Before he did, he gifted me his entire shop. That gift represents about 80% of the tools in my current shop. It's only right that I share that gift with my friends in the same way it was shared with me.
I also believe we can make awesome things together. I know a lot of talented folks, many of whom have their own skills to bring to the table. Some even have shops or equipment of their own. I also know a lot of folks with ideas but no way to execute them. This is a way for everyone to have access to building the custom things they want or need.
Finally, it is intended as a "third space". Without restating the entire theory, there is a lot of talk about people needing somewhere to go other than home and work. I can't keep the same hours as a bar or a church, but one Saturday each month I can give my friends a place to hang out and be productive or just hang out. Making and maintaining friends gets harder the older we get. I'm hoping this makes it a little easier on us all.
If you have a project, stop by and talk it over with me. I'll help you with any part of planning, design, or build you want help with.
If you just want to hang out, then stop by any time during regular hours. The intention is to have some cards or board games available and a space for folks to just sit and bullshit.