Metalshop Area

Attention! This page or section is out of date. Help us out by modifying this page.
Details: missing details and access policies

General Information

MakeICT's metal shop is an open 1236 sq ft area dedicated to metal working with shared space for bicycle repair.

Gavin Rondeau is the Benevolent Dictator over the metal shop.

Machine Access Policy

Because of the hazardous nature of these tools, before anyone can use the tools, they must pass a regularly scheduled shop safety course that will be posted on the calendar. We want everyone to go home safe and in one piece! SAFE OPERATION of tools is top priority.

Anyone entering the shop will be required to use personal protective equipment (PPE) such as safety glasses, hearing protection, and possibly dust masks (these will be available for purchase).

It is HIGHLY recommended that we use a buddy system, where no single person is working in the shop without a second person in the building so that if there is an injury, somebody else is there to call for help or assist you.

General Shop Safety

1. Do not use any machine you are not trained on and comfortable using. If at any time you are unsure of what you are doing, stop immediately and ask for help. Do not force tools.
2. Do not use any machine that is not in good working order. Stop, unplug and leave a note on the machine and notify the woodshop BD.
3. NEVER ASSUME A TOOL IS PROPERLY ADJUSTED. Always check the tool prior to use.
4. Wear safety glasses at all times when in the shop area.
5. Ear protection is also recommended, many of the tools operate above 90 decibels and without protection, you are losing hearing.
6. When using power tools (including hand power tools):
   • No open-toed shoes or loose clothing (remove drawstrings)
   • Remove objects on hands and wrists (including rings, bracelets, & watches)
   • Remove dangly necklaces, hair ornaments, and earrings
   • Restrain long hair to prevent entanglement
7. Do not leave machines running unattended.
8. Never talk to or disturb anyone operating power tools, forge or welding equipment. If you must talk to an operator wait until the operator notices you.
9. Be aware of the work going on around you. Do not accidentally bump into another person or their materials while they are working.
10. Most shop accidents are caused by working tired, rushed or distracted. As you get more experience, you will learn to listen to the little voice in the back of your mind that says, you probably shouldn't do that. Stop and think, there is usually a safer way of performing that function. These machines do not have a brain, please use yours!

Metal shop Specific Safety

1. Smoke is a bad sign in the metal shop especially when you are not expecting it! Stop what you are doing and correct the problem.
2. No wood cutting allowed on metal shop equipment.
3. No wet or damp items of any type (including drink containers, rags, or hands) may be placed or left on machine surfaces as they will corrode.
4. Do not lean or sit on machinery, these are precision pieces of equipment and you can mis-align them.
5. You are responsible for cleaning your machines, your work space, and putting all tools away immediately after use. Scrap wood should be placed in designated locations. Use vacuums or hand brushes to clean machinery.
6. Users who consistently fail in their clean-up responsibilities may be denied shop access.
7. Make sure machines are in the “off” position and motion has stopped, before leaving them after use.
8. All safety guards must be kept in place while operating equipment. If a guard or safety device is an impediment to safe operation of a machine - ask for help.
9. Use equipment only for its intended use.
10. If you have made an adjustment to a piece of equipment, return it to its normal position after you are done.
11. Make sure the machine’s work surface is unobstructed and clean before use.
12. Always be aware of the proximity of moving machine parts to body parts - fingers.
13. Metal can be hot even though it doesn't look like it, beware of burns.
14. Metal is heavy and can cause injury if falling.
15. Objects left on the machine can vibrate into revolving cutters. They can then be thrown from the machine with great force. Never clean a machine while it is running.
16. All guests are the responsibility of the member, guests are not allowed to use equipment. This is a working shop, so children less than 7 years old are not allowed for safety.

Machine shop Specific Safety

1. Due to the high level of technical understanding and cost of the Tormach, there will be extensive training required before use.
2. All work shall be secured properly and all loose objects removed from tables before machines are operated.
3. Cutters shall be checked for cracks or breaks before mounting and shall be securely mounted before operations are started.
4. Operators shall keep head and hands away from cutters when machine is in operation.
5. File tangs or other makeshift drifts shall not be used to remove taper shank tools. Proper drifts are available.
6. Safety guards shall be placed around any work item extending beyond machine table.
7. Milling cutters and other hardened tools shall not be struck with steel hammer. Blocks of wood, rawhide, or copper hammers should be used.
8. Proper feeds and speeds shall be selected before operations are started.
9. Machines shall be stopped before any attempts are made to measure or to check work.
10. Guards and baffles shall be used to protect others from flying chips, oil or coolants.
11. Operators shall be sure that cutters and feeds are turning in the proper direction so the cutters will not climb up or jam. Such an accident can cause injury to the work, the machine, and to the operator as well.

Welding shop Specific Safety

1. Member is responsible for using welding curtains to protect other people in area from weld flash hazards.
2. ALWAYS wear a proper face shield when grinding and a welding helmet when welding.
3. ALWAYS wear close-toed shoes.
4. ALWAYS wear a long-sleeved, non-flammable shirt such as a welding jacket
5. ALWAYS wear proper welding gloves.
6. ALWAYS wear ear protection (earplugs or muffs) to prevent sparks from entering your ear canal. An eardrum punctured by a spark will instantly cauterize and never heal.

Fumes

1. NEVER weld on or near anything that's been cleaned with a chlorinated hydrocarbon like brake-cleaner. When combined with UV light, chlorinated hydrocarbons can create phosgene gas, which can cause serious injury or death. Ventilation will not prevent poisoning.
2. No galvanized (zinc plated) material should be welded without removal of the galvanized coating near the weld zone to protect from poison gas release.

Welding Fumes and Gases Fact Sheet

Fire

1. Make sure the weld area is free from all flammable materials such as flammable liquids, paper, etc. Do not wear clothing or gloves that have been exposed to flammable liquids.

Electrocution

1. Before turning on a welding machine, make sure there are no puddles of water on the floor around the weld bench or the machine. Make sure the weld machine is dry, including the main box, the torch and the plug.
2. You must connect the ground cable to the work as close to the welding area as practical to prevent welding current from travelling long, possibly unknown paths, and causing electric shock, sparks and fire hazards.
3. There is little risk of fatal electrocution from a properly working MIG weld machine.

Burns

1. Welded metal will remain hot for several minutes after it is welded and will not be obvious of the heat retained. In most cases the heat is localized near the weld itself but you cannot tell by looking.
2. MIG welding steel will create sparks, so earplugs and full coverage safety glasses should be worn to prevent burns to sensitive tissue.
3. Gloves must be worn when welding and handling recently welded material. Deerskin or heavy-duty insulated welding gloves should be used.
4. If you burn yourself, immediately douse with cold water: seconds count!

UV Burns

1. The light emitted from a weld arc is brighter than that of the sun. Do not look at the arc without wearing a full-faced welding mask with a shade 10 or darker filter plate. Always make sure the weld curtains are in place between the welder(s) and other people in the shop. Be sure to cover any exposed skin, including cuff and collar areas, while welding or observing inside the weld area. The rays from the arc can cause a UV burn much worse than a sunburn.

Compressed Gas Cylinders

1. Argon and CO2 are inert, nontoxic gases normally present in the atmosphere. However, if allowed to fill an enclosed area these gases can fully displace breathable air, causing asphyxiation and death. Greater potential danger is the valve being knocked off the cylinder, turning it into a rocket powerful enough to severely injury or kill people and damage equipment and the building itself.
2. The following guidelines must be followed at all times:
   • Storing
     • Cylinders must ALWAYS remain upright and NEVER be placed horizontally.
     • Cylinders must be secured with a non-combustible material (metal) to an immovable object to prevent them from falling.
   • Moving
     • Cylinders must be securely capped.

Equipment List

Picture	What	Manufacturer	Model	Power	Status	Expert	How To
	4 Axis 34" x 9.5" CNC Mill	Tormach	PCNC 1100	220	Working	Curt Gridley	[manual]
	MIG Autoset Welder	Miller	Millermatic 211 Autoset	220	Working	Jeff Eck	File:Miller211 manual.pdf
	Plasma Cutter	Hypertherm	30 XP	220	Working	Jeff Eck	File:Hypertherm30XP manual.pdf
	Welding Helmet	Chicago Electric	91214	solar	Working	Gavin Rondeau	File:WELDING HELMET.pdf
	4.5" Angle Grinder	Chicago Electric	91223	110	Working	Gavin Rondeau	File:ANGLE GRINDER.pdf
	Combo Shear/Brake/Roller	Central Machinery	5907	Working	Working	Gavin Rondeau	File:SHEAR-BRAKE-ROLLER.pdf
	Horizontal/Vertical Metal Cutting Band Saw	Central Machinery	93762	110	Working	Gavin Rondeau	File:LAYDOWN BANDSAW.pdf
	1/2" Bandfile Belt Sander	Chicago Electric	92158	110	Working	Gavin Rondeau	File:BANDFILE.pdf
	Bar and Rod Bender	Central Machinery	38471	Elbow grease	To Setup	Gavin Rondeau	File:BAR AND ROD BENDER.pdf
	Tubing Roller	Pittsburgh	99736	Working	Setup	Gavin Rondeau	File:99736 tube roller manual.pdf
	20 Ton Hydraulic Press	Central Machinery	20 Ton	Working	Setup	Gavin Rondeau
	Anvil	Trenton	Made in 1900	On the Stump	Setup	Gavin Rondeau