Required prior to taking any other woodworking classes and using Open Shop hours.

Shop Safety is an introduction to the woodworking shop. It covers how to safely operate several user-friendly tools and teaches best practices for working in a community shop.

Prerequisite - none!

Tools Used - miter saw, bandsaw, scroll saw, drill press

This class teaches you how to turn rough sawn lumber into useable boards. It's one of the first building blocks of woodworking. We focus on how to choose wood, where to get it locally, and how each machine can help you prep wood for your projects. Also, get in-depth instruction on how to use the table saw, planer, and jointer. Completion of this class grants you access to use these machines during Open Shop.

Prerequisite - Shop Safety

Tools Used - table saw, jointer, planer

This class will show you how to join wood using glue, screws, pocket screws, dowels, and plugs. It covers a wide variety of methods, both aesthetic and structural, from the basics of pre-drilling and countersinking for screws to more complex jigs and joinery.

Prerequisite - Shop Safety (Woodworking I is NOT required)

Tools Used - drill, clamps, handsaw, chisel, plug and dowel jig, pocket screw jig

Two sessions!

Design a solid butcher block style coffee table using reclaimed lumber and hairpin legs. The first session covers milling and lamination. The second session covers routing, sanding, finishing, and attaching the legs. This versatile process is applicable to many other woodworking projects from smaller cutting boards to larger tabletops.

This class also prepares participants to use the jointer, planer, table saw, and router tables at Open Shop.

Prerequisite – Shop Safety

Tools Used – miter saw, table saw, planer, hand routers, palm sanders, drills

Two sessions!

Using various hardwoods you will learn to laminate, plane, rout, and sand a cutting board of your design. Learn the best practices for prepping and gluing. You'll finish the class with a professional project made by you!

This class also certifies participants to use the Jointer, Planer, Table Saw, and Router Tables at our Open Shop.

Prerequisite - Shop Safety

Tools Used - table saw, planer, jointer, router table, palm sander

Find your form – whether it's a spoon, spatula, wooden knife, or magic wand – while learning the tools that are best for sculpting and shaping. This class offers a great introduction to the bench sanders and an array of carving tools, plus tips for using the bandsaw to rough out compound curves. Wooden tools are fun to make and fun to use!

Prerequisite - Shop Safety

Tools Used - bandsaw, bench sanders, rasps, chisels, files

Learn to make a classic mitered picture frame. Starting with standard rectangular stock, you'll cut a simple angled profile for the front and a recess for glass on the back. Then use the miter saw to cut the corners, and add glue and brad nails for strength. All materials are provided to make one 11" x 14" frame with glass, backing, and D-rings for hanging.

Taking this class certifies you to use the table saw during Open Shop!

Prerequisite - Shop Safety (Woodworking I is recommended but not required)

Tools Used - table saw, miter saw, nail gun

Learn to make simple wooden stands for your potted plants. These make a great accent and help keep moisture off your furniture. We'll go over how to make a halved lap joint using the table saw and dado stack. Then we'll use a jig on the spindle sander to make notches that fit the round legs. Finishing is done with wood glue and nail guns.

Everyone leaves with two plant stands. You can even customize the size to fit your pots, up to a 9" diameter.

Prerequisite - Shop Safety

Tools used - table saw, dado stack, spindle sander, band saw, miter saw, nail gun

Using the tapering jig on the table saw and a jig to drill angled holes on the drill press, students will learn about the importance of jigs to assist them in making a mid-century style table lamp. Once the wooden body of the lamp has been built, students will also learn basic electrical wiring skills to connect a plug and lightbulb socket to the lamps cord. A modern brass socket, multiple colors of cloth cords, and plugs are all provided. A lightbulb and lampshade are not provided but can easily be attached for added style!

Prerequisite - Shop Safety

Tools used - miter saw, table saw, taper jig, drill press, drills, palm sander, wire strippers

From basic joinery to decorative edges, a router is useful for so many things. We'll discuss router bits, accessories, and jigs that can help make a custom project easier. Also, when is it best to use a hand router versus a router table? Work through all the basics and leave with a nice tray!

Prerequisite - Shop Safety

Tools Used - router table, hand router, trim router

Upgrade your home sound system with a custom set of audiophile-quality “Overnight Sensation” speakers. These are famous in the DIY audio world for their ability to produce incredible sound in a small package.

In this class students will learn how to:

Assemble and modify speaker cabinets

Customize cabinets to your aesthetic preferences using veneer, paint, wood oil and/or polyurethane

Solder electrical components (resistors, capacitors and inductors) into a crossover, the “brains” of a speaker

Learn about the physics of sound, basic electrical engineering, and how speakers work.

Important information:

These speakers are traditional passive audiophile speakers, meaning they will need an external amplifier for power and connectivity (bluetooth, aux, etc.). An amp is not included in this class, but good options will be discussed starting at $34.

This class is held in two 3 hour sessions. Please make sure you are available for both dates listed.

In order to give you full ownership of the look and feel of your speakers we do an in-depth review and demo of several options for customization. The actual customization aspect of the class will be “homework” for you to do between night 1 and night 2. Please alot from 1 to 5 hours of time to complete this (depending on what method you choose).

Spray Paint, wood oil and or/polyurethane is not included. Select styles of veneer (walnut, oak and cherry) are included.

Prerequisite - Shop Safety

Tools used - Soldering Iron, Palm Sander, Glue gun, Drill, Drill Press, Router table, Clamps, Wire cutters

Materials (all provided) - “Overnight Sensation” Speaker kit: Birch plywood, resistors, capacitors, inductors, tweeter(s), woofer(s), binding posts, batting fabric, speaker wire, solder, wood glue.

This class will show you how to design, cut, and assemble a sculptural and functional box using the bandsaw. It will cover box construction techniques, bandsaw operation, and options for embellishing and finishing your box. Students will create a small box with a drawer and receive guidance and inspiration for painting and finishing. Accessible to makers of all experience levels, this class provides the foundational understanding for experimenting with this versatile form.

Prerequisite - Shop Safety

Tools used - Bandsaw, clamps, sanders

*Class time: 12 hours (four 3-hour sessions)

Make a custom chef's knife from start to finish. Begin by drawing out your profile using one of our templates or your own design. Cut it out of 1095 steel and take it through a couple of rounds of stock removal and heat treating. Then attach the wood of your choice and form the handle. These are amazing custom tools you can use every day and it will be the sharpest knife in your kitchen!

Prerequisite - NONE

A sharp knife is a safe knife and makes cooking way more fun! Sharpen your skills and your kitchen knives in this sharpening basics class. Students will learn multiple methods of sharpening and honing a knife's edge as well as some general rules of thumb in knife maintenance. Students are encouraged to bring up to 5 knives they would like to sharpen to class -no serrated knives please!

Prerequisite – NONE!

Tools Used – Whetstones, strop, honing rod, belt sanders

Learn the basics of bicycle maintenance from our friends at Baltimore Bicycle Works (BBW). The first half of this class covers the anatomy of the bicycle, guidance on how to inspect your bike before riding and hands-on practice cleaning and oiling your chain. In addition to learning about common roadside fixes, we will spend the last portion of our time together practicing the most infamous bike repair, fixing a flat tire. You will leave this class with a deeper understanding of how your bike works, how to diagnose a potential problem, and how to care for your two-wheeled beauty for smooth riding. This class is hosted at the Tool Library in partnership with BBW instructors. Bring a bike with you to class so that you can actively work on your own bike (or a friend’s)!

Prerequisite: NONE

Tools used: Bike stand, tire levers, chain checkers, pumps

Do you need to replace a screen or battery but are nervous about damaging your phone? Come practice on one of ours and build confidence to make similar fixes. You'll learn about the Right To Repair movement and what it means to be able to repair everything you own. You'll disassemble and reassemble enough of the phone to replace a screen or a battery. You'll also identify other replaceable components along the way. We'll be using iPhone 5's to learn skills applicable to many other makes and models. Do all the work with a professional iFixit tool kit made specifically for these repairs and available here at the Tool Library.

Prerequisite: NONE

Tools used: iFixit tool kit

Old house “uh-oh’s” and common electrical upgrades that anyone can safely perform!

Learn:

• How home electrical systems work

• About your breaker box

• How to change: fixtures, receptacles, and switches

• Common problems in old houses and what to do

• When to call a pro and how much that should cost

Hands-On:

• Practice your wiring and safety skills on our mock-up circuit. Flip the switch to test your work.

Restore the natural beauty of your hardwood floors by learning to use the floor sander, edger, buffer, and flooring nailer in the library! We'll cover everything from identifying the species and current condition of old floors, to solving for common problems, to how to protect floors after sanding.

This class certifies you to borrow the drum sander and edger from the Library!

Tools Used - floor sander, edger, buffer, and flooring nailer

There are plenty of plumbing jobs that you can tackle on your own with a little guidance and tools from the library!

Learn:

• About home plumbing systems - where does the water comes from and how does it leave?

• Tools needed and where to find them in the library

• Materials you will encounter and the types of plumbing connections

Hands-On:

• Cutting different kinds of pipe

• Using “Shark bites”

• Making solvent welds

• Changing faucets, drains, cut off valves, and toilets!

Learn everything you need to plan and execute any tiling project - from bathrooms to kitchens and beyond!

Learn:

• How to plan your project (surface prep, tile layout, material options, shopping list)

• Tools needed and where to find them in the library

• Pro tips for running smooth caulk beads

Hands-On:

• Practice cutting cement board

• Practice using tile cutters, saws, and nippers

• Execute a “mini-project” in class!

Pro tips to improve and maintain your home!

Learn:

• When and how to use drills, impact drivers, and hammer-drills effectively. Get hands-on practice drilling into wood, drywall and masonry.

• How to use different types of anchors to securely hang objects on a wall.

• When and how to use a jigsaw and circular saw

• Learn safe use of the miter (chop) saw

• Learn how to use our compressors and pneumatic nailers to secure joints.

• How to identify and effectively use different types of screw and hardware in a project.

Course handouts include:

• Home Care Calendar with month-to-month maintenance reminders

• Consumer Home Inspection Kit

• Power Tools reminders and best practices

Painting is a cheap and fast way to drastically change your space, but it often includes repairing drywall, caulking joints, filling holes, hiding stains, cutting in trim, and priming the surface.

Learn:

• Safety measures when lead paint is present

• How to prepare wood trim for a smooth finish

• Plaster repair and drywall installation

• Best materials for interior and exterior applications

Hands-On:

• Practice with plaster, paint, caulk, wood fill, and a variety of rollers, brushes, and knives

Come learn how to make dipped beeswax candles! We will go over the basics of how to handle and care for beeswax, prepare wicks for dipping, and the general techniques on how to build up the body of the candle. Dipped candles differ from poured candles in that the beeswax is layered over and over upon itself to create a stronger structure, similar to the growth of a tree in rings. In addition to process and technique, we will learn a bit about the history of candles, our human relationship to bees, and the uses of beeswax. We’ll focus on building tall tapers and twisted candles. Please come with your favorite candle stick holders, if you are making candles to fit specific holders, so you can get the diameter of your candles just right. Also, consider wearing clothes you don’t mind getting a bit messy and closed toed shoes! All materials are provided.

Prerequisite - none!

Tools Used - hot plates, wax pourers.

Print your own designs using an age-old technique of carving away a material to create a stamp! Linoleum is a fun and easy material to carve that allows you to quickly make multiple prints! In class, students will learn how to transfer drawings to their 4"x6" linoleum block and carve the block to practice printing using water-based inks. No drawing skills necessary, there will be tracing options available, but students are encouraged to bring in their own designs.

Leave class with your own custom stamp, prints, and the skills to create more works of art that make great gifts, cards, wall hangings, wrapping paper, and much more!

Prerequisite - None!

Tools Used - Linoleum carvers

Learn to naturally dye a silk handkerchief using an approachable method called bundle dying! Using a variety of dried flowers, roots, bark, and even bugs, students will print natural materials onto silk by rolling, tying, and steaming bundles of their own design.

Leave with your very own silk piece and the skills to start dyeing on your own.

Prerequisite - NONE

Materials (all provided) - silk, natural materials, alum

Class time - 3 hours

Learn the basics of knitting, including casting on, casting off, knitting, and purling. Lots of hands-on instruction to help you learn the mysterious rhythms behind several of the most useful patterns. You'll learn everything you need to get started. Yarn and needles included, plus you get to take them home and keep practicing!

Prerequisite: NONE

Tools used: knitting needles

Macrame is the art of knot tying to create intricate wall hangings. This class serves as an introduction to the fiber craft. Students will learn three basic knots that can be utilized in a wide array of macrame projects, and apply them to make a simple decorative and functional plant hanger.

*Plants and pots are NOT provided in this class!

Prerequisite - NONE

Materials provided - Macrame cord, wooden hanging ring

Learn a fun and easy method for making rope baskets with just a sewing machine and cotton clothesline! You'll learn how to thread a sewing machine and use zigzag stitches to make a coiled storage basket, which can be sized up for large baskets too. Once you see how approachable this technique is, you'll be making baskets of all shapes and sizes for everyone you know! No previous sewing experience necessary.

Prerequisite: NONE

Tools used: sewing machine

In this class students will learn to operate the tool library's sewing machines (which can be borrowed from the library)! Class includes instruction on the anatomy of a sewing machine, how to thread the machine and a bobbin, how to select stitches and stitch settings, identifying different seams and fabric, and how to sew a zipper! With plenty of hands-on practice, we'll cover general troubleshooting and help demystify the machine. After getting some practice on the machine, students will work on creating a zipper pouch to put their new skills to use! This is a great course if you're new to sewing or just looking for a refresher!

Prerequisite - NONE

Tools used - sewing machine

Class time: 2 hours

Using Sodium Hydroxide (lye) and fixed oils, learn the basics of cold process soap making. We'll go over vocabulary, an easy way to adapt soaping formula, and how to make soap with two different bases: water and coconut milk. Get creative experimenting with natural & synthetic colorants, essential oils, exfoliating mix-ins, and topping decorations. You'll go home with about a pound of your own high-quality handmade soap!

Prerequisite - none!

Tools Used - scales, blenders, molds

In this introductory weaving class, students learn how to set up and weave on a table-top loom. Each person makes a woven cloth the size of a table runner, which can be customized by color and design. After the first class, you'll get to take the loom home to weave on your own. In the second class, we'll look at each other's work and cover finishing.

No previous experience necessary. All materials are provided, but you're welcome to supplement with your own yarn!

The first class (getting the loom setup) is 6 hrs (11 am-5 pm) and the second class is 2 hrs (11 am-1 pm). Please consider brings snacks to keep you going strong!

Prerequisite: NONE

Tools used: table loom, warping board, boat shuttle

This class will sweep you off of your feet! Learn several foundational broom tying techniques to make two small hand brooms with broom corn: a whisk broom and Appalachian style broom.

Find your favorite new hobby with easy to learn techniques and adaptable materials! These brooms make great gifts or functional tools in your cleaning arsenal!

Prerequisites: NONE

If you’ve always wanted to have a garden but you aren’t sure how to start, or if you’ve tried to create one but couldn’t get it to thrive—this class is for you! In the first part of class we’ll learn the principles of urban garden design, what pIants and people need from gardens, and how to work with the opportunities and constraints of gardening in the city—whether that means growing in a few pots on a deck or a driveway, or building out a raised bed garden in a large backyard. Then we’ll get hands-on practice designing a garden for one of several real Baltimore homes. You’ll leave with transferable skills to design your own garden, an awareness of the common mistakes new urban gardeners make, and a list of resources to help you begin. You’ll learn how to work with the city for a productive and pleasant space in which you and your veggies can grow.