I originally put it on the calendar for 16 Feb 2016, but have since asked for it to be moved to 23 Feb 2016 so we don’t conflict with the BoD meeting. 7pm in the lecture hall.
Among other things, we will be discussing and ratifying official rules for the Woodshop. I’ll have them posted to the wiki soon and will post a link here.
Edit:
Preliminary Agenda
Please discuss the idea of a wood show November-December of this year. I can help iron out details of its a yes. I believe it wood (oh I’m puny) be a great idea.
Also please discuss the idea of splitting the cost of a pressure chamber with creative arts with the understanding that it would be used for @Val_Curry @valxcurry Moldmaking classes. Here is the link to the one desired:
Am I being dumb not to see the link to woodshop for the pressure chamber? A wood show would be very cool though.
The three things Tom said were stabilizing wood, laminating veneers and making bent laminating forms.
Ps that’s what val just texted me.
IIRC, Tom was talking about something like this, not a pressure pot:
Good morning folks, I have created a placeholder agenda page for the Committee meeting: Woodshop Committee Meeting 20160223 - Dallas Makerspace
I’ll hopefully have some time over lunch to add items/create a template.
Please come to the meeting and make your voice heard. Thanks!
edit: fixed the page! whoops!
It is no secret that many people are frustrated about the classes continually being full.
Is the committee willing to consider any adjustments to the training requirements?
Does anyone know how bad the training backlog really is?
I took a woodshop class from Manny back in September which had 12 to 15 students and briefly covered all of the power tools in the shop except for the Multicam CNC router. This was before there were any lathe classes and the current hand-on classes limited to five students were just starting.
Might the training backlog be dramatically lessened if that intro class was brought back for those wanting to use the scroll saw, drill press, band saw? I fully understand the need for hands-on training for the table saw, jointer, planer and lathe - the general intro class would not suffice to be authorized to use those particular tools.
Currently, no one has suggested this as a solution. I personally don’t think adjusting the current requirements is a solution. Having more classes and more teachers is the only viable solution I see. We are actively seeking additional teachers for all classes. The more teachers we have in the pool, the more classes get taught (and the more money Woodshop generates for consumables and repairs). [quote=“Bill, post:9, topic:7306”]
Does anyone know how bad the training backlog really is?
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Our only indication is that they keep selling out.
We phased the old class out in order to implement a more formal safety class. The point of Woodshop Basics isn’t anything other than safety. It doesn’t necessarily make you any better at woodworking, but it most certainly makes you safer.
I think Woodshop Basics should be required for every power tool in the Woodshop, no exceptions. I do not see a two hour class as a burden to anybody that a required scroll saw/band saw/drill press only class wouldn’t be a burden to. We will someday see a reduced load in the Woodshop Basics class, but probably not soon. We are adding an additional weekly class in the near future - that will put us at 12 classes per month with 6 or 7 instructors (I never can remember how many of us there are).
This class isn’t just off the cuff - there is a developed curriculum and we put instructors (myself included) through the paces before unleashing them on students. I personally audited 3 classes by two different people (Tom Cook and @tapper) before teaching one. The Woodshop Basics requirement is designed to keep members safe.
The point is, we are losing members over the wait with no visible end in sight.
You could always volunteer to help teach, but I don’t think compromising safety is an acceptable answer.
What evidence do we have to lead us to that conclusion?
@AlexRhodes I believe stated he knew of several members had at the General Member meeting we it was brought up by myself. I’ve heard the comment in Commons Area by folks that joined to use wood shop but but can’t be on the web all day for when new classes post to jump in, so classes are always closed because they fill so fast.
Alex asked me to volunteer to teach so I volunteered to shadow the training class three times and then see if they want to let me be a trainer. Then I’ll initially be offering courses in the day and Midnight Makers. During my Day Bridgeport class, probably 7 or 8 of the 13 expressed interest in:
1st - Woodworking
2nd/3rd - Laser & 3D Printing
Hopefully we can get another couple volunteers to help clear the backlog.
Some daytime classes would be more than awesome!
I’m trying to line up instructors for Day Maker *Classes (weekdays 9:30 ~ 3:00). This is a group that would be using tools that are currently pretty much empty … so higher utilization spread out over the day.
So what can you teach?
This is true, I found out today. It is a very low number of people (5, and a 6th threatened to leave IIRC). I don’t think this is a big enough deal to change the process.
Yes but those 5-6 are the ones that came forward. Others may just drop without mentioning it. I personally didn’t join for the wood shop. I already have almost all the equipment with exception of the CNC router, drum sander, jointer & planer.