Introduction to the Machine Shop (MS101)

Jeff Zimmer is a mechanical engineer who collects and repairs antique clocks and watches and is currently engaged at the Asylum building a a residential pipe organ. His earliest machine shop experience occurred in graduate school where he designed and built a scale model of a nuclear power plant steam valve to analyze an acoustical instability. He loves everything mechanical, antique and or musical.

This class is designed for people with little or no machine shop experience. It will prepare students to get started in the making of relatively simple metal parts, covering the operation of the drill press, the metal cutting bandsaw, the arbor press, pedestal grinder and bench vise. Students will be given a brief tour of the shop showing them where the various machines are located, and where various tools may be found.

This class includes Tool Testing on the bench vise, band saw, drill press, arbor press, and pedestal grinder.

There is no materials fee for this class.

The beginning section of the class will address:

General shop safety

Shop etiquette

Shop layout

The middle section of the class will include:

Using the bench vise in cutting and shaping material

Cutting stock on the bandsaw; feeding the work

Using the drill press; holding the work, speeds, lubrication

Shaping metal on the grinder; ventilation, holding the work, cooling the work

Forcing parts together with the arbor press; guiding the process, accessories

>> Each of the above operations will be first demonstrated by the instructor, then executed by each student under the instructor’s guidance and supervision.

Safety issues particular to each tool will be highlighted. Students are encouraged to ask questions throughout the lesson.

The final section of the class will include:

Opportunity for review and further instruction as needed to ensure that all the students feel comfortable working on their own

As time allows, further exploration of shop capabilities

Students will graduate from the class equipped with the knowledge and confidence to begin working independently on their own projects in the Machine Shop.

Aluminum plate 1/4” x 2” x 4”

Steel rod 1/4” x 3”

Steel bar 3/8” x 3/8” x 3”

Closed-toe shoes are required to enter the building.

Safety glasses or goggles

Ear/hearing protection

Notebook or clipboard, pencil or pen

Short-sleeved shirt or equivalent

Means of taking up long hair or beard

All students must be 18 years old or older to register for this class.

Learn more about our class and ticket cancelation policies Here.

Please email [email protected] with any questions.

*Sales end 48 hours before the start of the class to allow the instructor and staff time to prep.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Artisan's Asylum, 96 Holton Street, Boston, United States

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

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