Carnegie Mellon University
IDeATe

Integrative Design, Arts, and Technology

IDeATe  ›  IDeATe Resources  ›  IDeATe Spaces  ›  Wood Shop

Wood Shop

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The IDeATe Wood Shop is a small workspace dedicated to woodworking and building with wood. In addition to hand tools, the room includes a drill press, band saw, belt sander, table saw, wood lathe, and other power tools. Our Wood Shop stocks wood, fasteners, and supplies for IDeATe courses; however, other shop users are encouraged to bring their own wood, fasteners, and other project materials. Scrap wood may be available for common use.

While the Wood Shop’s main purpose is supporting IDeATe students and affiliates working on projects for DeATe courses, Open Hours are offered to campus community members weekly and by appointment (as staffing permits). Open Hours can be viewed here, appointment inquiries should be sent to help@ideate.cmu.edu at least 2 business days in advance to negotiate a time.

All Wood Shop users must complete the appropriate online training modules and be supervised by an IDeATe faculty or staff member while using this shop.  EH&S maintains applicable safety training courses online (Shop Safety and Tool Safety Training are the minimum.) Completion of safety training does not confer access to the Wood Shop.  

IDeATe does not have full-time staffing for the Wood Shop. As a result, special requests for  time-consuming or larger-scale woodworking projects may be declined. Additionally, appointment requests may be turned down due to staff availability.

Wood Shop basics (see Shop Safety):

  1. COME PREPARED:  Wear proper attire when using the space. When using equipment, make sure all loose items are properly restrained or removed. Long sleeves should be rolled up.  Jewelry should be removed. Long hair should be tied back. Neckties and scarves should be removed. Closed-toe shoes are required.
  2. PERSONAL PROTECTION: Protective eyewear is required at all times in the shop. Hearing protection is recommended when the dust collector and/or powered equipment is in operation.  Dust masks are recommended when any operation produces dust not collected by the room's dust collection system. Eyewear, dust masks, earplugs and protective gloves are all available in the Wood Shop.
  3. CLEAN UP: Clean up after using the space. Access privileges will be revoked if messes are left after use.  Allow at least 10 minutes at the end of each Wood Shop session for cleanup. A Shop-Vac, brooms and dustpans are available for use.
  4. EQUIPMENT: Users must observe and practice safe operation procedures in accordance with Shop Safety Training, Tool Safety Training and equipment-specific training protocols (as demonstrated by IDeATe faculty or staff members).

Access Policy

Access to the IDeATe Wood Shop equipment is limited to students who have received our wood shop training from a faculty member or qualified staff member.  Students may only use the shop when IDeATe faculty or staff are available to supervise.  These “supervisors” have the authority to limit the number of people admitted to the shop at any time.