Funny…in my designs the E-stop always protects the person first even if it’s at the sake of the equipment. Guess that engineering philosophy isn’t everyone’s cup of tea.
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This device was designed by the same people who put lead paint on the kids toys they sell us, poison in the pet foods they sell us. Seems like pretty much the same thing.
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ThunderLaser makes pet food? That is surprising
@talkers will I be able to find the classes on MeetUp or will I have to sign up via the site?
Please - need to get trained on the laser - I signed up at DMS mainly for the lasers- have been a paying member for over 2 years and have not been able to complete my project on the laser for the last 4 months due to unavailability of classes - Feel like $200 has just gone to waste. Please help- sincere request -SD
Now let me stick my head in here to get bitten off…I am a new member. Only been a member a little over a month and find the training classes frustrating. I have attended several so far and would like classes on several more, but they are at various times, split up weirdly, hard to work around.
There is a wood shop class…but it doesn’t cover the lathe or the CNC. There is a 3d printer, but the 3d scanner is a different class. There is a HAAS class, but I haven’t seen a class on the metal lathe. ect. ect. I agree there needs to be training for a lot of the equipment as well as specialty projects such as the pen turning class, the plucking stick, and bowl. For equipment use, I think it would benefit DMS, to offer “all inclusive tool training” for entire areas at designated times during the month…even if we have to pay someone to do so.
The wood shop would include everything in the wood shop and may need to be all day class. Same with the metal shop, automotive, lasers…any place where we have concerns over safety, liability, and equipment damage. Once you are a member you need to go to a class to cover the area you wish to use. I, for one, can schedule a day (4-8 hours) to go to a class and use an entire area as opposed to trying to catch a class here and a class there and be locked out of some stuff in the same room just because I haven’t caught someone for a class.
Additionally, I am going to piggyback on other stuff mentioned here, I think we need video/published training material available on all the equipment for refreshers and step by step instructions on setup and operations. Long term those videos AND manuals would be available beside the equipment in questions for things a little more complicated such as the lasers and CNCs. A central terminal should be available in each area with videos for all the equipment in that area.
I know this is a lot of work; shooting video, taking pics, creating manuals, not to mention minor equipment costs, but in the log run it would help DMS run smoother, be safer, and cut out all the complaining.
I am planning on trying to teach some classes soon, and have contacted a one of the trainers about getting signed off and touched base with trainers about 2 others. I am also willing to help get training material together and help with videos. Also I am willing to help setup the systems for the each area for video access.
All this being said, I can’t do it alone, but I think everyone will agree the current systems is not working in the best interest for the organization. I can understand that the HAAS has special training, but that should be looked at as well and see if that can be adjusted. I took the HAAS training and thought it was good, but the fact that very few actually “make the domino” say a lot about the equipment and training. I like teaching and will be happy to teach as much as I can as often as I can, but I need the training and practice first.
I like the DMS so far and hope to stick around, but infighting and politics will drive away members faster than down equipment. Seeing complaints like these in the forum doesn’t look good for us and should be addressed as positively as possible.
It might be a good idea to start a training committee and thread here to look at these. They would meet with each group and work with them to get the material together and make sure things are consistent from area to area. f you do, let me know and I will be happy to help and participate.
Ron
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You know training isn’t required for the metal lathe right? (Last I checked it wasn’t)As for the dominos, it is on the person who took the training to put forth the effort to make it. I’m sure that Brian would watch you test out. @bgangwere I personally haven’t tested out yet just because I don’t have the time currently. As many have told me & many others, it just takes time. I concentrate on just a few things at a time. To me DMS is a shmorgishborg of things that I love to do.
Btw no head biting off here.
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I offer classes on the metal lathe and the mill about once a month, though I am currently waiting for the new system to come online. But neither are required.
Manuals for the tools in the machine shop are already on the wiki. The wiki also has links to MIT videos that show how to use most tools in the machine shop, but many members prefer to attend classes.
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I will have to check the wiki. I didn’t know that kind of stuff was on there. I am sure most members don’t either. I rarely come to the website except to check for classes/events and to see if something is being fixed. 
…I have never used a metal lathe but find it funny we require a class for the wood but not the metal. I took Brian’s class and haven’t made mine yet either. Like TBJK, I have a lot of irons in the fire and haven’t gotten around to it yet. But I will.
The wiki also has a page for people to post class materials.
I think a Training Committee is a great idea!
What is the process for creating a new committee? I am a new member.
Seems like there is enough interest to get this thing started.
There is already a classroom committee, not sure if training falls into that committee though. But like its been said, we are all volunteers. I’m doing what I can to help out (welding class). Attend some committee meetings in areas that you may be able to help out. Ultimately that’s the best way to resolve the training issues.
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I need the welding class too…damn…so many classes. 
anyway.
I was thinking more of a committee that was dedicated to creating and producing both documents and videos related to education of the equipment. It could work with the classroom, proposed safety, digital media, and countless other committees to get the content in order.
Maybe there’s a way to shoot your welding class to educate people on the material and speed up the education process? Just a thought, but something a committee could get together and figure out.
Training is by committee.
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BTW, if it doesn’t have a big red STOP sign with “training required” on it, you can just use it. If you are unfamiliar with a tool, ask members in that area for help. (Wood shop has a special notice on the door)
The rolling mill in jewelry needs training, and it is not electric, but rolling the wrong metal could destroy it.
Please put a sign on it, as that is what we tell members on the wiki.
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I know it had a sign on it at one time—I will see what I can this week about adding one to it
I am planning on at least 2 jewelry worknights a month, and I can show folks how to use it during those