As a new member, it seems like everything I want to use requires a training class before being able make use of them even if you are experienced on the equipment. It’s understandable based on committees “don’t know” if I have competence on it or not. But it does require patience and flexibility to get said trainings.
For instance, i want to use the wood shop, but the training for today I was registered to go to was cancelled. The next training is full and the next one after that is a week or so away.
The metal shop, I want to get some welding done, but don’t see a welding training scheduled. Even though I am a competent stick, mig/tig, gas welder. It seems as if this could be awhile before I am able to use this space.
I do have use for a leather sewing machine and @biita was kind enough to offer to me to get with her to go over the Pfaff (machine I have used in the past) and the Rex.
I am wondering if there are others in the committees for the wood shop and metal shop that I could come in when they are there to clear me on the equipment?
Lastly, I was told that I need to pay $50 to get trained and cleared on the auto lift, but I’m not sure how to set that up. Any suggestions?
Owen, I suspect that this thread will get interesting. In my opinion it will take most members up to three months to get approved training on all areas of the space if they really put themselves to it.
You are not alone. it’s kind of why membership goes up and down. many get tired of the waiting. Like you said - patience and flexibility is required. not everyone gets that.
There was some amount of talk about ‘spontaneous’ classes some months ago. In small part about individualized training, I think it should be revisted on a pay to play basis.
@Brandon_Green as the Automotive Chair, is likely best qualified to assist with the payment. Just asking is probably the way to go to get trained. @TLAR (Tom) is often willing, but others such as @dallasmagna (Chuck) may as well.
Might try a new thread in Automotive category and see where that takes ya.
As to the rest of it, “come hang out” seems to be the answer…
I also want to give Walter a shout out. I joined DMS last Friday and registered to Talk. I created a topic about advice on a dead laptop that I think I fried trying to put a heat sink in. I mentioned that I needed to get the hard drive downloaded or try and see if the laptop could be revived. Walter offered immediately to download my laptop on Saturday and told me to get there by noon. I greatly appreciated the offer and definitively took advantage of it. I showed up Saturday at noon and Walter hooked it up and he nursed it to completion for 6 hours while he helped out and sold his stuff at the swap meet. He didn’t need to do it, but he did and I just wanted to express my thanks. It was huge value to me.
Ask people mostly. That’s how I found Chuck! He was in the common area (the one where everyone sits around on a computer doing fancy tech stuff or less fancy social media stuff or games which can be fancy or not fancy).
I would definitely be open to “Pay to Play” for being cleared on the machinery if it can speed up the process. Especially since I am guiite experienced on most of the machines I want to use yesterday! Heck, I have daughter in club soccer, I’m well trained in it by now!! Lol.
You’re right, it is a concern. It’s not just the number of members, it’s also that we all want members to be happy with their membership experience.
The problem is … since all classes are taught by volunteers (most of whom would actually like to do some making of their own), and since we can’t tie up all the equipment all the time with training … no one has a good solution. Wood Shop in particular (and Lasers, and a couple others) have been diligent about scheduling recurring classes. It’s an anomaly that your Woodshop Basics class got cancelled due to the workshop remodel - sorry you got caught in that.
One idea is that if members get specialized training to speed up their “onboarding” - that they should then set up and teach a class as well. That might be a good solution for you if you’re an experienced user. A lot of members, however, aren’t immediately qualified to “give back” in this way. If you are in a position to help out by taking on some teaching, it might go a long way toward convincing one of the “authorized trainers” to spend some one-on-one time with you so that you can help train other new members and reduce the teaching workload.
(In a truly sincere tone of voice …) We would all welcome any suggestions you have about how to solve this problem. It’s one that is frequently recurring.
We need Welding Safety Class and Plasma Cutter instructors! Please, if you can, join us to teach the ground rules.
I’ve been bad about attending metal shop meetings, but I’m getting better. There are occasional “train the trainers” meetings for each bit of equipment, and @Photomancer, @dallasmagna, and @TBJK have been developing new training materials. I’ve been trying to line up a time to shadow @LeeCJones at one of his TIG classes and then teach it, as that’s my experience is the strongest.
As for the training materials, I’m constantly updating the PlasmaCam training. I’m also working on the stuff for the MIG class. It just takes time. The training materials will be on the committee drive as well. There will be more classes, we just have to work together to get it done. Share the load and we all will succeed.
John - I appreciate the feedback and request. Please know that I am fully aware and sensitive of the dynamics surrounding the all volunteer aspects of DMS. The folks giving their time deserve a lot of praise for sure. I wish I had unlimited time to give back too. We all have resposnsibiilities and we can only compartmentalize so much. I am quite impressed with DMS and the folks that help run the place.
There is always room for improvement. I can only give so much time as well, but I am more than willing to train others as I work on my projects. Perhaps as I am familiar with the space and equipment, I can get on a rotation and teach a class too.
Not sure I have any suggestions of value, but I think a possible solution could be that once being cleared for a machine, etc. than that member could be put into a rotation to help a new member learn the machine and it’s safety procedures. So ideally, everybody that use a particular space could be a potential trainer at least once a year for that space if only for that one machine.
Not sure that makes sense, but if there are more possible trainers, more can be trained.
Zach - let me know and I’ll help out too. I have no problem training people when I am working on a project. As I get used to the space, perhaps hold a few classes now and then. My time, like yours is limited, but if we can get more trainers, it should help facilitate use with new members, etc.
