Makerspace classes
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Learn about some of our most popular classes.
Cutting boards
In this two-day course, students learn how to transform raw lumber into working material to produce two styles of cutting boards.
Students receive a thorough demonstration on shop safety and proper use of each machine. The instructor discusses types of wood and how to choose one species over another for specific projects. Sufficient demos and in-depth answers to questions are provided. You’re encouraged to take design risks and have fun! Simple examples are provided as a starting point, but students are encouraged to use their creativity to design and execute more complicated additions. Each student will create two finished cutting boards during this course.
MIG and TIG welding
In these four-hour courses, students learn the fundamentals of Metal Inert Gas (MIG) and Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) welding.
In the MIG class, students get hands-on experience using an angle grinder for steel prep, and a MIG welder to create various joints. Students also learn proper safety methods for tool setup, use, and breakdown.
In the TIG class, students learn the basics of cutting, welding, applications, and safety. This class covers angle grinding, cutting with a bandsaw, and basic info on types of welding and welding machines. Students practice on mild steel and make a cube to gain some competence in TIG welding.
Leather wallets
In this four-hour course, each student learns the basics of leather working by fabricating a hand-stitched wallet.
The course covers topics like materials, following a pattern, cutting leather, hand stitching, basic tool usage (knives, awl, pricking iron, etc.), monogramming, and embossing. At the end of the class, each student will complete a hand-sewn leather wallet.
Stained glass
In this four-hour course, students learn how to create their own stained-glass piece.
This class is designed to empower each student to continue learning on their own. Students are provided with resources, tools and materials lists, and tricks and tips to further their skills. Topics covered include cutting, grinding, copper foiling, and soldering.
Spoon carving
This three-hour course covers the basics of traditional spoon carving.
Students learn spoon carving with traditional Japanese carving tools. The course opens with an explanation of wood types and how to mill lumber down into blanks. The instructor will guide students through designing the spoon and marking the blank, and then teach techniques for carving and finishing. The price of class includes a set of tools that students may keep.
Blacksmithing
In our blacksmithing courses, students learn the basics of either forging nails, or repetition of design using the scroll and twist.
Forging nails is the ideal starting point for those interested in blacksmithing. Making nails has been one of the oldest forms of blacksmithing for centuries and was usually the first task learned by any blacksmithing apprentice. Our nail forging course will teach students the proper terms, techniques, and protocols required to successfully create usable nails.
In our scrolls & twist course, students will replicate a skewer. The class covers basics of forging hot iron, methods used by the smith, and the history and proper utilization of relevant tools.
Book binding & paper marbling
This four-hour course covers basics in the coptic stitch bookbinding method and Suminagashi (Japanese art of paper marbling).
Students learn how to marble paper using a traditional Japanese method, and how to construct a coptic stitch book to take home. Topics covered include history of bookbinding and paper marbling, how to choose materials, bookbinding tools, constructing books, and making images using Suminagashi.
Wood turning
In this five-hour course, students learn how to properly use a wood lathe to create a set of candle holders.
This course is designed for the beginning wood turner. All students receive demonstrations on how to prepare a wood blank for spindle turning, how to glue up wood properly for success during turning, machine and tool vocabulary and safety, and tool use techniques. As an added bonus, students learn how to easily mix their own polish for an incredibly fast and easy way to finish a turned object.
Casting silver rings
In this six-hour course, students design a ring and then make a mold so that it can be cast in silver.
Students design a ring, and carve the design out of jeweler's wax. A mold is made of the wax using delft clay so that it can be cast. The silver is heated up to melting temperature, then poured into molds containing negatives of what was to be cast. Students then clean and the polish their piece.
Electronics
In this four-hour course, each student will learn the basics of electronics by building their own fuzz pedal.
This course covers topics like: overview of circuit components, reading a circuit diagram, soldering and desoldering, using a multimeter, and tuning the circuit. During this course, students will complete the entire process of populating a circuit board and installing it into a guitar pedal enclosure. By the end of the class, each student will leave with a working fuzz pedal.
Wood basics and four squaring
In this course, students learn how to transform raw lumber into squared-up material using the proper order of operations.
Students get a thorough demonstration on shop safety and proper use of each machine including jointer, planer, miter saw, and table saw. From there, students go through the process themselves. Connections to finished projects can be discussed and in-depth answers to any and all questions will be provided.
Intro to Machining
(Available upon request)
In this individual course, students learn basic and advanced skills pertaining to the metal lathe and metal mill. The long list of topics covered includes safety, tool overviews, turning, drilling, knurling, milling, squaring stock, and much more. At the end of this class, students will create their own machinist hammer.