If it was someplace obvious one way or the other, sorry.
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Woodshop 1 is a prerequisite for the others.
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Here is what I extracted from reviewing classes currently on the calendar:
Woodshop 1 - Woodshop safety and procedures
(take this before any of the other wood power tool classes)
This class will cover:
- Woodshop Orientation
- General Shop Safety
- Woodshop Machine Safety
- Lumber Selection
- Miter Saw
- Dust Collector Maintenance
Woodshop 2 - Learn how to use the milling machines in the woodshop
(Woodshop 1 is a prerequisite)
This class will cover the safe use of:
- Jointer
- Planer
- Table Saw
- Surface Sander
Woodshop 3 - Learn how to use the large shaping tools in the woodshop
(Woodshop 1 is a prerequisite)
This class will cover the safe use of:
- Spindle Sander
- Edge Sander
- Combo Sander
- Router Table
Woodshop 4 - Learn how to use the bandsaws and drill press in the woodshop
(Woodshop 1 is a prerequisite)
This class will cover the safe use of:
- Drill press
- Bandsaws
- Finish Sanders
Note that when taken in order, Woodshop 1-3 allow the student to make a maple and walnut edge grain cutting board. Woodshop 4 adds handles to make a handled serving board. Only Woodshop 1 is a prerequisite for the others, but taking the classes out of order would potentially leave you without a project to be working on during the class. I recommend that you check with the instructor if you just want (for example) to just learn how to use the band saw in Woodshop 4 and not take all the intermediate tools/classes.
Other Classes/Tools
There are separate classes on using the lathes and the MultiCam CNC router. While (IMHO) Woodshop 1 (or at leas the general shop safety and dust collection portions) should be a prerequisite for these classes, the CNC class on the calendar does not currently show that. I could not verify whether the lathe class does because the only class on the calendar is full, and you can only see the prerequisites after clicking on the Register button.
There are separate classes on Traditional Woodcarving (using hand tools) which do not require Woodshop 1 as a prerequisite. As these are taught outside of the power tool area, that makes sense.
**Edited to clarify what WS101 portions I thought should also be prerequisites for/included in CNC and Lathe classes.
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Understand there is or will be an option to take the classes without doing the project.
The MultiCam and wood lathe classes never required any of the other Woodshop classes.
Edit: Likewise for the Shapeoko which is now part of Woodshop.
Honestly, I wish there was more of an “express” option. This 5th time in my lifetime I’ll be taking “woodshop basics” as I move on with life. Most of these tools not only have I taken the classes 4 times, I hold advanced certifications for some of them (I can tear apart a sawstop and replace several of the parts that may break, same with a planer, jointer, bandsaw and drill press). Unfortunately due to my job situation currently I’m not in town very often, so the current scenario of Woodshop 1 filling up instantly on the weekends then not being able to do anything in the woodshop is a pain. It’s mostly painful because having them all set at 4 and #1 as a prerequisite, I think this situation might take months to resolve.
The problem in particular is #2. The saw, planer, jointer and surface sander. There are so many times when using the the Shapeoko or MultiCam when you need to resize something a bit before you start and now you won’t be able to.
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Seems to me that general shop safety should be a prerequisite for working in the woodshop. Perhaps that’s covered in the lathe class independently
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It is not, but good point.
Edit: What I meant was, when I took the MultiCam and Lathe Basics classes, they covered safety only for those tools but not the rest of the shop.
This is very frustrating. I took the Woodshop 101 class a year or so ago, but decided that rather than wait for a Woodshop 201 crash course - assuming I even managed to get in, I’m sure they will be under high demand - I figured it would be useful to just take the 1-4 new classes. A little refresher doesn’t hurt, right?
Except I cannot register for 2-4 until I’ve completed 1. This wouldn’t be a big deal except that as we know, necessary classes tend to fill up quickly. I’d like to knock all four out of the way this week, but I’d like to schedule them in advance so I can work them into my calendar. If I have to wait until after I finish 1 to register for 2, and finish 2 to register for 3 and so forth, I don’t know which ones will be open or if they’ll fit in my schedule.
I have no intention of taking anything out of order, but it’s rather silly that I can’t plan more than one course ahead. Surely there’s a better way to do this.
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@Mrksls2 seems to be a pretty reasonable guy. If I were you, I’d open up a conversation with him. Our rules are designed to keep folks who only think they know what they’re doing from messing up our tools and themselves. For those of you who do know what they’re doing, there are options. In fact, I vaguely remember that there is a plan for the more senior folks to get a pass. But I am pretty sure you’ll have to ask for it.
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I was mentioning this in another post, but perhaps a better solution would be to open up Woodshop 1 to 8-10 people at a time just to get as many people through as possible. It seems like it is just general safety with no tool use so it doesn’t seem like much “student time” is needed. Kind of the like Microeconomics 101 class in college where it was an auditorium with 400 people in it then the following classes were smaller.
Don’t get me wrong though, I’m new to the shop but this seems like a case of “unintended consequences” between the restructure and the RFID requirement. I’m a black belt and I’ve worked on projects in Fortune 50 companies with hundreds of people working on a project and seen these things happen. I think if they can reconfigure this to get 100 people through class #1 in a week or so, it will all even out after that.
As much as I like idea of herding 40 people at a time through Woodshop 1 in the Lecture Hall, there is nothing like being shown how to do things like dealing with dust collection. Maybe 10 at a time is a workable compromise.
I kinda hate to put this here, but traditionally a few extra folks are allowed to come and take the class stand-by. Arrive early, let the instructor know that you want to fly stand-by, and if there’s enough room you can take the class. I realize that isn’t an ideal choice for a person whose time is valuable, as you might make the trip for nothing. This also fills in for any one of the registered 10 who don’t show. They may have $5 in, but that doesn’t mean all that much to everyone. Plus – life happens.
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Actually it’s the register 4 I believe. I think it’s only 4 people per class.
Gads! You are correct! 101 used to be for 10 people. I can see the current ones, where you’re making a cutting board, being a little more space-constrained, though.
Mark did say that after expansion, folks will be able to take the full set of classes without the cutting board project included. And, I’ve seen Talk posts where they’re talking about some way for the people who’ve taken any 101 (and taken, and taken…) to be able to get their permissions again. I’m not in Woodshop (yet), so these are just things I’ve read on Talk. You might check the Woodshop category to see what messages are in there.
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Yeah, I looked which is why I posted it here. I wouldn’t expect there to be anything with the cutting board in the first class since it is just safety, so I would think you could bump it back to 10.
Part of the issue with hosting a large crowd is the noise level in the Woodshop. The only time the entire shop is closed is during maintenance day. During classes, members are doing their own thing. And even with amplification, it’s HARD to understand what an instructor is saying.
I’m not sure if you’ve taught classes here, but I won’t teach 8-10 per class and do it for class after class. A better solution is more teachers.
I’ve never taught classes at this makerspace. At previous ones I have taught up to 6 for “making” something and I have to admit, 4 or less is a nice number for that. For things like new member orientation, presentations, etc I think maybe up to 15, but I’ll admit that can feel overwhelming to make sure everyone is paying attention. 8-10 is easy though: “These are the master switches for the power to this area, they are all clearly labelled, check them before you use a piece of equipment to make sure yours is on. If you are the last person out of the area, make sure they are all off. If there are any questions, raise your hand…Okay, follow me to the next station.”
Woodshop 1 says it is an orientation class, so I would think this format would work.
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Very good points. Thanks for elaborating.