Open Woodshop at Arbutus Folk School
Open Woodshop at Arbutus Folk School provides time, space, and equipment for you to work on self-directed projects in our fully equipped woodshop for up to 3 hours at a time. You can book just one session, or as many as you need to complete your project.
Participants will need to bring their own wood to use, and should be proficient to complete their own projects, as this is independent shop time, not a class. Previous experience in woodworking, such as successful completion of a class or self-taught project, is required.
During your session, one or more knowledgeable shop stewards will be present to orient you to the space, provide safety training and enforce precautions, and answer questions. During sign-up for Open Shop, you can share more about your project so that the shop steward(s) assigned to your session are best matched to your needs based on their specialties.
Participants may use our stock of hand tools which includes, but is not limited to: work benches, chisels, hand planes, saws, sharpening stones, marking and measuring tools, and carving tools, or bring their own tools. With a short safety training prior to use, participants may also use the following equipment: table saw, miter saw, jointer, planer, bandsaw, drill press, routers and router table. Please note that the lathe is only for staff use at this time.
Open Woodshop is not a drop-in offering. You must register ahead of time so that we can appropriately staff the shop for your desired session date. Open Woodshop sessions that have no registrants in the week preceding each date will be cancelled. Open Woodshop runs with as little as 1 and as many as 4 participants per session.
Sign-ups are taken here for now. We will be receiving a tech upgrade in the summer of 2025 which will make enrollment in Open Shop even easier!
Notes
If you are interested in a very quick visit to the shop, e.g. for “a few quick cuts on the table saw,” we are happy to work with you on a shorter appointment with a smaller cost. Just send us an email to make arrangements.
Class Requirements
- Open to adults and teens ages 16 and older.
- Required safety training sessions are 15 minutes per machine and count toward the student’s total shop time.
- Although it is no longer offered, students who have previously completed our two-hour Woodshop Safety class can receive abbreviated safety training sessions.
- Previous experience in woodworking is required to participate.
What To Bring
- Participants need to bring their own wood and any other materials/consumables needed for the project.
Arbutus Folk School Location
Arbutus Folk School – Woodshop
705 4th Ave E, Olympia, WA 98506
