Workshops/workshop skills

Workshop Skills

Covering the basic tools in the main workshop, how to use them safely and effectively.

Ideal if you are not comfortable with some of the non-induction machine tools, or want to learn some of the basic skills used in the workshop.

Sessions can be in small groups or 1:1 to cover specific tools or techniques.

Sessions will be relatively short - 30 minutes to an hour. Content will be tailored for the group from the list below.

Core workshop

This content is always covered

• Correct selection and use of the available PPE
  • Goggles are required for pretty much any power tool, face shields are fine too if you find them more comfortable.
  • Hearing protection is a good idea if there's much noise. You don't need to wait till the noise is uncomfortable before using hearing protection as by that time the damage has already started. As soon as you start to feel "hmm, that's a bit noisy" it's time to use hearing protection. We have ear defenders and disposable earplugs.
  • Dust protection is a good idea when doing anything that involves dust so sanding, linishing, cutting if you're doing a lot of it, grinding, wood-turning. We have regular dust masks for normal workshop use. Some jobs, for example plasma cutting in aluminium, or forging stainless steel, will require higher grade protection and you'll be warned about that in the inductions for those tools
    • FFP1 - >5 micron filtration. Non-toxic dusts, sanding, cutting, drilling, water / oil based aerosols
    • FFP2 - 2 - 5 micron filtration. Toxic dusts, metal fumes
    • FFP3 - > 2 micron filtration. Carcinogenic dusts, metal fumes
  • Gloves
    • Latex/Nitrile for general dirty jobs
    • Leather for heat work/welding
    • Anti-vibration might be wise for some tools but we don't have them because they need an accurate fit so bring your own.
  • Overalls
    • Cotton for regular workshop use, where they're hung up
    • Leather apron for metalworking
    • Tyvek disposable suits for paint and grease
• General workshop etiquette
  • Considering what others are doing, or might come in wanting to do
    • Work in one area at a time - don't spread out across all the benches
    • Don't leave things hanging out into the aisles
  • Only using a tool if you're sure you can safely
    • If you're not sure, ask maintainers/inductors/others in the workshop/mailing list for help
  • Where might you send sparks, dust, chips or swarf? Warn others or consider moving.
  • Maintain safe clearance around dangerous jobs
  • Warning people if you're about to make a lot of noise
  • Not "shoulder-surfing" unless invited to
  • Taking care of your safety
  • Stopping others from doing dangerous things
  • Trying to help out others if they're struggling
  • Cleaning up properly after yourself
    • Tidy up as you go
    • Allow enough time to clean as part of the job
  • And cleaning a little more of the general workshop if you have time
  • Putting tools and materials away when you're done
    • Putting batteries back on charge
  • How to report broken/non-functional tools
    • Reminder you won't be in trouble for breaking something; you will be for hiding it
    • Label the tool as broken so others won't try to use it
    • Tell the maintainers
    • If you're not sure who is maintainer for that tool, post to the mailing list
  • Learning to look after tools
    • Asking to learn how to do maintenance jobs
    • Becomming a tool maintainer
    • Becomming an inductor on a tool
• Marking out
  • Choosing a reference surface/edge
  • Pencils on wood, markout fluid and scriber on metals
  • Marking it
  • Using squares
  • Using rulers, tape measures & calipers.
  • Marks for reference, parallel, waste etc.
• Tool selection
  • Cutting Tools
  • Joining Tools
  • Finishing Tools
• Drill selection
  • Types and what they are used for
    • Metal - HSS / Cobalt
    • Masonry
    • Wood
    • Flat wood
    • Forstner
    • Hole saws
    • Step drills
  • Sizes
  • Centre punching on metals/starting with an awl on wood
  • What to do if they are blunt / broken etc
  • When to use cutting fluid
• Using small drills
  • Battery drills
  • Mains drill
  • Dremels
  • Mag drill (When we buy one :-) )
• Using the pillar drill
  • Adjusting table height
    • Not drilling into the table itself...
  • Speed selection and changing belts
  • Using the dust extract where suitable
• Using the linishers (belt sanding machines)
  • What they do
  • Starting & stopping the machines
  • Controlling the work on the belt & disc
  • Changing a belt
    • Belt types available
• Using the air compressor and its tools
  • Checking over and starting up the compressor
    • Special attention to the oil level
    • Not to be used on an extension lead - use a longer air hose instead
  • What tools we have - Listed on the compressor page
  • Blowing down and putting away
• Selecting the correct saw
  • Hand saws
    • Tenon saw
    • Hacksaw
    • Fretsaw
  • Powertools
    • Jigsaw
    • Circular saw
    • Scroll saw
    • Table saw - seperate induction
    • Vertical bandsaw - seperate induction
    • Compound mitre saw - seperate induction
    • Metal chopsaw - seperate induction
    • Horizontal bandsaw
• How to use a hacksaw
  • How to check/change blade
  • Starting cleanly in a cut
• Using the scroll saw
  • Appropriate materials
  • Starting and stopping
  • Speed selection
  • Blade changing (and starting a cut from an inside hole)
• Using the horizontal bandsaw
  • Appropriate materials
  • Work holding
  • Starting and stopping
  • Use of cutting fluid
  • Cleaning after use
• How to use files
  • Types and what they're for
  • How to lubricate a file
  • Cleaning with file card
  • Action for curved surfaces
• Using the angle grinders
  • Grab this from the welding induction?
  • Safety checks before use - power cord damage etc
  • Think before you use - where are the sparks going ?
  • Cutting vs Grinding
  • Changing a disc
    • Not using old / unknown age discs
    • Cutting discs
    • Grinding discs
    • Flap discs
    • Other fittings
• Other techniques - some woodworking skills
• Woodworking with hand tools
  • Chisels
  • Planes
  • Drilling
  • Joining - using glue, screws, nails, dowels, dovetail joints
  • Finishing with sandpaper, oil, wax

Optional Modules

These topics covered if people want them

• Making screwthreads with taps and dies
  • Measuring an existing thread
  • Using the sizes chart to select a tapping drill
  • Different types of tap
• Blasting cabinet
• Ultrasound cleaner
• Mortisser
• Mini mill... ? (maybe not, too complex for a general workshop induction and deserves it's own workshop?)
• Knife sharpening (Request from a member)
• Other techniques - some woodworking skills ? Marking out ? Using measuring tools ?