Metal Tools

Use tools in the Metal shop for cutting, bending, machining, fabricating, and welding projects. There's also an assortment of clamps, hand tools, vises, arbor presses, and other tools. Whether your project is measured with a micrometer or tape measure, we want to help you get your project done.

+ Tell me more...

Sheet metal: CNC plasma cutter, 52" shear, 48" magnetic brake, 6" corner notcher, Beverly throatless shear
Machining: 3 manual lathes (9", 13", 18"), Bridgeport mill, Tormach CNC mill
Cutting: Grob vertical bandsaw, Ellis horizontal miter bandsaw
Fabrication: Scotchman 45 ton ironworker, universal bender
Welding: Miller TIG, MIG, and spot welder

+ How do I get to use these awesome tools?

Take the appropriate tool safety checkout class, if you want to use the lathes, mills, abrasives, CNC plasma cutter, Ironworker, or MIG and TIG welders.
Make a tool reservation to use the lathes, mills, CNC plasma cutter, or MIG and TIG welders.
Other tools in the Metal shop are not reservable - please share!
Start your membership.
Use the SOPs (the Standard Operating Procedure manuals located at each tool) to make your project.

+ Is there an hourly charge?

No. Use of the tools is included in your membership fee.

+ Can I reserve time on the tools?

You may make tool reservations of up to 2 hours per day for the lathes, mills, CNC plasma cutter, and MIG and TIG welders. (Longer times are available for Pro membership levels and on an as-needed basis for regular members. Please talk to a staff member to arrange.)
Other tools in the Metal shop are not reservable - please share!

+ What do I need to bring? What is supplied or available at the shop?

We provide a small number of items for projects on the Metal shop tools; please plan to bring in whatever you may need, if it's not listed here. For suggestions on where to buy the materials you may need, please visit our Materials & Resources page.

For the mills - a jump edge finder and 1/4" and 3/8" two-flute endmills are available for your use
For the lathes - a selection of indexable carbide cutting and boring tools, plus parting blades are available for your use
For the MIG welder - gas and steel welding wire are available for your use
For the TIG welder - gas, electrodes, and a selection of filler rods in steel, aluminum, and stainless
For the Ironworker - 1/4", 1/2", 3/4", and 1" punches & dies are available for your use