This shop guide is intended to supplement the safety classes offered for Digital Fabrication 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. To help new users get acclimated to the lingo, technical terms throughout this document are linked to definitions in the page's footnotes.
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. Community Technicians are also 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!
No food or drinks allowed in Digital Fabrication!
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. Community Technician's 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.
A membership or day pass is required to access Digital Fabrication.
The following safety classes are required to access specific machines in the shop:
Before your visit, please ensure the shop is open for use. 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 scheduled events are posted on the shop door and communicated via email. Please plan accordingly.
For reference, the building hours are as follows:
Monday to Friday: 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sunday: Noon - 5 p.m.
Community Technicians will ask you to begin clean up 30 minutes before the building is closed, so ensure that you have allotted enough time in your reservation for cleanup.
Contains all the guides and reference material for each machine
You can make machine reservations in the following ways:
Some small items are available for free to shop users as part of their membership or class. Please be mindful that these are finite resources and use as frugally as possible.
Consumables include:
Chesapeake Plywood
3400 E. Biddle Street, Baltimore, MD 21213
410-469-6049
Total Plastics
5424 Pulaski Highway, Baltimore, MD 21205
410-483-1122
Piedmont Plastics
7045 Troy Hill Drive, Suite 450, Elkridge, MD 21075
301-881- 7900
House of Foam
1004 Russell Street, Baltimore, MD 21230
410-727-0982
Make sure the settings for each piece of equipment are correct. Take care to note the location of an extinguisher before beginning to work. Sawdust and debris build-up in the machines can be a fire hazard in the shop. If you smell burning, stop work immediately and locate the source. Location of dust build up may vary. Ask a Community Technician for assistance when cleaning machines out.
See Emergency Procedures page for more detailed emergency protocols.
Due to limited space, members can only leave projects and materials in the shop for 24 hours with a Community Technician's approval.
ALWAYS fill out a Project Tag to leave projects overnight:
Projects without proper tags and approval will be thrown out.
Microstudio Residents can store projects in their assigned locker, or purchase additional space in the Member Storage area downstairs.
Open Works strives to foster a welcoming environment where folks feel comfortable asking questions and learning.
In addition to this online 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.
Please do not hesitate to ask our Community Technicians if you need a refresher on how to operate a machine or tool. 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.