Welcome to the Metal Shop!
The Ace Makerspace Metal Shop is set up for a variety of metal fabrication projects—predominantly manual and CNC machining, with sheet metal forming and cold working tools.
Important Access Policy:
To use the Metal Shop, all members must first complete the Metal Shop Basics class.
- Advanced stationary machinery—specifically the Metal Lathe and the Mini Mill—requires completing separate certification classes before use.
- Once certified in Metal Shop Basics, you have access to open-access shop tools (such as hand grinders, saws, drill press, and hand tools), though it is always recommended to ask a shop steward if you are unfamiliar with a specific tool.
What’s Available
In the Metal Shop, you can fabricate parts from various metals and plastics using bench-top, hand-held, and free-standing equipment. Our tool collection includes:
- Cutting & Shaping: Vertical and horizontal bandsaws, small sheet brake, Whitney punch, and jeweler’s lathe.
- Drilling & Grinding: Drill press, hand drills, bench grinders, and angle/die grinders.
- Precision Machining: Jet metal lathe and vertical CNC mini mill.
- Hot work is not available (welding, torch cutting) due to facility and ventilation limitations.
Whether you need to bend, cut, grind, or machine custom brackets, replacement hardware, or precision prototypes, the Metal Shop is equipped to help you build it safely.
See the latest events, classes, and more on the Ace Makerspace website.
General Shop Disclaimer(s)
Please always wear eye and ear protection, when working with dangerous / loud tools.
When working with standing / fixed machines, gloves should generally not be worn due to risk of getting caught. You will get oil on your hands, it’s part of the shop experience. Don’t forget to apply lotion if you wash your hands often.
All material being worked on, should be held down with some form of work-holding whether that’s clamps, vices, jigs, etc. Always avoid using your hands to hold a piece as the forces acting on them will likely surpass your strength / reaction time.