Official Luthiers Forum!

from time to time folks new here post asking about what they need to establish a workshop, what tools they should buy, etc.

i know i have mentioned it before but an alternative to buying expensive major tooling is to join a woodworking guild/club which are to be found in many areas. these organizations usually have large and very well equiped workshops manned by experienced woodworkers.

as an example, i recently discovered via a leaflet that was stuffed into my woodcraft bag, that the guild nearest my location is the greenville woodworkers guild inc, in greenville sc. their workshop includes several table saws and bandsaws, including a very large resaw machine, jointers, planers, etc., etc., as well as a large wide belt thickness sander. ...hmmmmm

whilst the folks manning such a facility are not likely to be luthiers, they do know woodworking fundamentals, as well as proper and safe machine operation.

if you have no woodworking background, these are good circumstances in which to acquire, in a supportive environment, the common woodworking skills upon which the craft is based. as well one gets to try out a range of machinery without having to buy. and if space or financial considerations make owning your own major tooling impractical, this is a good way to gain access to what you need.

costs no doubt vary, but the greenville guild's annual membership fee is all of $75.00. seems like good value to me!

That's a great idea.

Even if you have a small work area, the bigger tools are very helpfull even if you do have good woodworking skills. Like if you want to resaw some boards for b/s, tops what have you. Also using the benches and such at your local woodworking clubs can help when making jigs, molds, bending forms etc....

Great reminder Michael.

_________________
My Facebook Guitar Page

"There's really no wrong way, as long as the results are what's desired." Charles Fox

"We have to constantly remind ourselves what we're doing....No Luthier is putting a man on the moon!" Harry Fleishman

"Generosity is always different in the eye of the person who didn't receive anything, but who wanted some." Waddy Thomson

That is a great idea.  I have thought about opening a place like that, but always talked myself out of it because of the liability issues and the initial overhead costs.

Michael, I am originally from Greenville, SC.  Did they say where it was.  I'm in Charlotte, NC now, maybe I should see if there is something like that in this area.

_________________
Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

Great post Michael! A few years ago, I looked for a similar arrangement in my area but could find no such Co-op. I also asked the local high school if they would be willing to host evening hours where folks could, for a fee and under expert supervision, use the extensive equipment in their industrial tech shops. They would not even consider this because of the liability issues..truly a sad commentary.

Of course, there are some cabinet shops that will do thickness sanding, jointing, etc. for a fee but my interest is more in learning those skills.

Sounds like your area is a good one in which to be located for this activity...I'm envious.

_________________
JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

the greenville guild is on poinsett st. they have a good website -- worth checking out just for the tool envy factor. go to www.greenvillewoodworkers.com.

they are organized as a 501(3)c charitable organization. in addition to inhouse instruction, they also hold classes/seminars featuring noted woodworkers, e.g., sam malouf put on a chair making seminar in march.

i am at best a novice turner. the recent thread about turning bridge pins got me to thinking and i think i'm going to join just to learn a lot more about using a lathe.

JJ thats a bummer. Our High School lets one of the local collages hold evening classes in the High Scool wood working shop. I don't have much room in my shop so this gives me access to a large thickness sander, a band saw for resawing and a dove tail set up that even I can't screw up. The instructor enjoys the fact that I'm not makeing the same stuff the other students have made. Most of the people take the class over and over, so you can always get good help when needed.

_________________
Say what you do, Do what you say.

At one time I ran a woodworking school for hobbyists that wanted to build furniture, cabinets and other projects. I ran a business in the day that was an architectural millwork shop but at night the shop was unused which is why we started the school.

It was mostly helping people to scope out their project, selling them the wood and then teaching them enough so they didnt get themselves or others hurt.

It was in New York City, in Manhattan and was in a 19th floor loft. To bring in wood took feeding the boards through the ceiling of the freight elevator and then pulling them up from where the elavator had to stop a floor or so below our shop in order to unload the wood.

For those in the US, one of the students was the CBS 60 minutes reporter Andy Rooney.

Being able to share a shop is great but most will have you sign a waiver so if you get hurt it is not their fault. Before you sign ask what their coverage is and if it is on you, make sure your coverage is adequate and covers personal injury, in case anything happens.

Waddy:

I'll bet there is something similar in Charlotte. I was "told" by the folks at Klingspor that there was a woodworking guild in Hickory, but I haven't visited. After you've done the research, will you get in touch with me and let me know what you found? Thanks.

Bill

_________________
Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.

OH YEAH!  OK

_________________
Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

[QUOTE=fmorelli] To add to Shawn's comment, and I warn up front that I'm no lawyer, you want to be careful about liability waivers. My layman's understanding is that you can not waive liability, categorically ...[/QUOTE]

True enough, but if someone is serious about this idea, I certainly would not let the fear of liability to keep them from doing it. Just take precautions. Organize a corporate structure, create a solid (albeit not bullet proof) limitation of liability waiver, and insure yourself both corporately and personally to the teeth.

It really isn't a question of "if" you are going to have a claim, it is really a question of how will will you handle it "when" it happens.

_________________
Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com