Page History

Purpose:

The Metal Shop is focused on teaching safety, proper care, and use of our equipment for welding, cutting, grinding, bending metals, and prep for painting or powder coating. We are a community that strives to share skills and knowledge only obtained through experience with new users, and most importantly show how to be safe and have fun when working with slightly dangerous glowing hot metal.

Governance and Meetings:

The committee routinely meets monthly, meetings will be posted on the calendar. While no formal agenda needs to be posted, advance notice of large purchases or other actionable items that will require full committee vote to approve should be brought to the chair and/or vice chair with ample lead time for research and questions (48 hours or more is a good rule of thumb).

No member may be assigned a task involuntarily except as a disciplinary measure.  

Blanket Rules:

The highest standards of courtesy and respect are necessary for our continued safety. Failure to adhere to these standards should be reported to a chair.

Recognizing that the Metal Shop Committee comprises three components Hot processes, Sheet metal and powder coating, and that the safety of members and the facility itself are paramount.

Members are required to dress appropriately for the task they are performing,

Appropriate PPE shall be worn at all times.

Hazardous conditions shall be dealt with as they are identified. By the person identifying them if practical. Particularly slip, trip and electrical hazards.

The following materials may not be subjected to hot processes without prior approval by a chair. Approval may be conditional.

• Galvanized metal. 

• Zinc plated metal.

• combustible metals.

• Pressurized, or formerly pressurized containers.

Age Requirements

Minimum age to use any equipment in the Metal Shop, except the hot processes, is 16 years old unless noted otherwise on the tool's page, or with special dispensation from the current Metal Shop chair.

Minimum age to use tools without prior approval by a chair. Approval may be conditional.

• Unsupervised: 18 years old

• With Parent or Guardian: 16 years old and requires full-time supervision by a parent who has been trained on that tool.

  • Special permission from the current Metal Shop chair and full-time supervision by a parent who is trained on that tool is required for anyone younger than 16 years.