¶ Introduction
This shop guide is intended to supplement the safety classes offered for the Metal Shop here at Open Works. It is a helpful resource for beginners looking to expand their knowledge, and can also serve as a reminder for more experienced users.
¶ Community workshop culture
The shops here are a shared space, with a community of users at all different experience levels. Open Works strives to foster a welcoming environment where folks feel comfortable asking questions and learning.
¶ Shop Etiquette
¶ Awareness
- The Metal Shop is a shared space, so please be mindful of others working.
- Pay attention to the area around and behind you before you begin work.
- Do not distract anyone using a machine.
¶ Cleanup
Everyone is expected to clean up after themselves during and after using any shops, labs, or classrooms. Use the brooms and other cleaning supplies provided to clean your work station as you go. Turn off machines and return tools to their storage location after each use. Techs will ask you to begin cleaning up 30 minutes prior to closing. Please be mindful that we share this space with everyone and its all of our responsibilities to keep things neat and orderly.
¶ Shop Access
A membership or day pass is required to access the Metal Shop.
The following Shop Safety Classes are required to access specific machines in the shop:
- Metal 1: Shop Safety
- Gives you access to the Metal Shop.
- Metal 3: MIG Welding
- Gives you access to the MIG welders.
- Metal 4: TIG Welding
- Gives you access to the TIG welders.
- CNC Plasma Cutter 1: Shop Safety
- Gives you access to the CNC plasma cutter.
¶ Metal Shop Hours
Before your visit, please ensure the Metal Shop is open for use. The CNC plasma cutter and Syncrowave TIG welder require a machine reservation.The shop is closed for general use when there are classes and special events booked in the space.
The shop's weekly class schedule and other closures will be posted on the shop door and communicated via email. Please plan accordingly.
Techs will ask you to begin cleaning up 30 minutes prior to closing so please allot extra time in your schedule if you plan to work in the shop until closing.
¶ Safety
¶ Proper Attire
- As in all of the shops, sturdy, close-toed shoes must be worn at all times for traction and stability, and to protect your feet.
- Long hair, jewelry, and loose clothing must be tied back to prevent getting caught in moving parts.
- Absolutely no synthetic fabrics are permitted within the Metal Shop. Synthetic fabrics melt to the skin at contact with sparks, potentially causing serious burns.
- Safety glasses must be worn due to the risk of flying debris and sparks.
- Face shields are recommended in addition to safety glasses.
- Everyone should wear hearing protection while machines are running, the volume in the Metal Shop can reach an excess of 100 decibels, which can cause permanent hearing damage after just 15 minutes of exposure. Ear protection is highly recommended, both ear muffs and silicone ear plugs are available at the Metal Shop entrance.
- Safety screens should be placed between your workstation and other Metal Shop users when MIG or TIG welding. Safety screens filter out wavelengths of light that can permanently damage the eyes.
- Welding jacket, MIG or TIG welding gloves, and welding helment must always be worn when welding. Open Works provides welding jackets, MIG and TIG welding gloves, and auto darkening welding helmets within the Metal Shop.
Open Works recommends that members and day pass users invest in their own welding jacket, welding gloves, and welding helmet if they plan to weld frequently.
¶ Fire Safety
¶ Extinguisher and First Aid Kit Location
Expand to view a map of the metal shop!
¶ Common Hazards
- Flying debris
- Loud sounds
- Sparks and flying sparks
- Eye damaging light from welders, plasma cutters, etc
- High temperatures
¶ Emergency Procedures
See the Emergency Procedures page for more comprehensive information.
¶ Machines and Equipment
All machines in the Metal Shop, aside from the CNC plasma cutter and Syncrowave TIG welder, are available on a first-come first-serve basis. In order to budget time fairly, please talk to a Community Technician if you are planning a large project or have an important deadline.
¶ Machines
- Vertical Bandsaw
- Horizontal Bandsaw
- Bar Bender
- Bench Grinder
- Bench Polisher
- Metal Lathe
- Drill Press
- MIG Welder
- TIG Welder
- CNC Plasma Cutter
- Shear
- Slip Roller
¶ Other Equipment
Various hand tools such as but not limited to:
- angle grinder
- hack saws
- pneumatic burr
- handheld band saw/hack saw
¶ Consumables
- Grinding discs
- Cutting discs
- MIG wire
- Please only take what you need.
¶ Suppliers
Access Metals
8893 Kelso Drive, Essex, MD 21221
410-687-2414
Metal Supermarkets
7120 Golden Ring Road, Unit 112, Baltimore, MD 21221
410- 918-0199
¶ Reference Guides and General Assistance
Open Works strives to foster a welcoming environment where folks feel comfortable asking questions and learning.
Apart from this Wiki, manuals and other reference materials are on or near each machine in the shops. You can also look up each machine page in this wiki for general guides and reference information.
¶ Community Technicians
Community Technicians are available to help and answer questions about any tools or processes you are unfamiliar with. It is always better to ask questions than use a tool in an unsafe way. Even experts sometimes need to be reminded of good habits!
If any tool or machine needs attention, please alert a community technician as soon as possible.
¶ Storage
The availability of project storage depends on which area you are working in, intend to leave it in, and how many other people are storing a project there.
The best place to store a project is, if you have a microstudio, in your microstudio or to rent additional storage. It is also possible to get daily or temporary storage- ask for availability at the front desk.
The areas upstairs do not offer in-shop storage.
Downstairs, the Wood Shop, Digital Fabrication, and Metal Shop do offer some limited in-shop storage. To store a project in these areas you MUST get a Project Tag signed off by a Community Technician.
¶ Video Walkthrough
¶ Resupply Form
Click here to report any consumables needing to be replenished within the Metal Shop!