Penland Metals Studio Information
Classroom
The two metals studios are housed in the Edward Fortner Metals Studio in between the Main Office and the Clay Studios. The studios are named Upper and Lower Metals and both are accessible from outside as well as being connected by an inside staircase on the south wall. The classrooms are slightly different but both have a bench room/classroom that is adjacent to an equipment room where noisy, heavy, or hot work is done. At most there will be twelve students in your class. Each studio also has a CD player and a refrigerator for your convenience.Student Workspace and Storage
Each student gets his or her own bench at which to work. Each bench has an incandescent lamp, bench pin, chair, and lockable storage. The storage space is approximately 1 cubic foot of space and requires a small pad lock. Students should bring their own lock or one can be rented or purchased from the school store, quantities are limited.Equipment
Upper Metals
- 4 Smith acetylene/air torches
- 2 Smith mini acetylene/oxygen torches
- 2 burnout kilns
- 3 enameling kilns
- Centrifugal caster, vacuum table & vacuum caster
- Vulcanizer
- Wax injector
- Step shear
- Hydraulic press, anvil
- 6” flat rolling mill
- Draw bench
- Dapping punches & block
- Disc cutter
- 3 vises
- Buffing machine
- Grinder
- 3” belt sander
- 1” belt sander
- Sandblaster
- 8 flexible rotary tools
- Two drill presses
- Tumbler with assorted medium
- Assorted hammers/mallets
- Assorted hand tools.
Lower Metals
- 4 Smith acetylene/air torches
- 2 Smith mini acetylene/oxygen torches
- large propane/compressed air annealing torch
- 2 large enameling kilns
- 13 vises
- 2 anvils
- 2” flat/groved rolling mill
- slip roller
- bending brake
- band saw
- drill press
- 8 flexible rotary tools
- 2 vented acid etching booths
- electroplating/forming station
- Beverly shear
- scroll saw
- dapping punches & block
- disc cutter
- tumbler stainless steel shot
- raising/forming stakes
- assorted hammers/mallets
- assorted hand tools
In storage we also have: 14 assorted sized pitch bowls, small MIG welder, Unimate mini lathe, a mini forge, hot plates, alcohol lamps, 4” belt sander, angle grinder, and 2 split lap polishing wheels.
This list of equipment is not comprehensive; it is meant to give you an idea of what to expect during your class at Penland. Keep in mind that although we have the equipment it may not be necessary for your class and it may not be prepared for use. The equipment used by your class will be determined by your Instructor and will be appropriate to the techniques covered in your class.
Shared Studio Equipment
Shared air space/ music: Each class should discuss the playing of music and reach a consensus on the time of day, the volume, and the type of music to be played. Tolerance and consideration are expected from everyone.
The equipment in the metals studios is shared equipment. If there is equipment you need to use in the other metals studio, you are more than welcome to use it as long as you are not interrupting a demo or someone else's work on that equipment. You are also welcome to relocate smaller tools to suit your needs, as long as you return the tool to its place of origin when you are finished using it.
If during your session you wish to use equipment in any of the other studios at Penland, you must work with the instructor, studio assistant or coordinator of that studio to arrange access. They will determine if the use is compatible with their class' activities, and if you are able to work safely and independently with the equipment.
Toolkits
Beginner toolkits are available for check out. These kits include: saw frame, ring clamp, pliers, center punch, bench block, and a small ball peen hammer. There is a small rental charge, and students are responsible for replacing lost or damaged tools.Supplies and Materials
Some general materials and supplies are kept in stock at the Penland School Store. In the Metals section you will findthe following:
Silver Solder (Hoover & Strong) Hard wire Medium wire Easy wire Sheet Copper 18ga 20ga 22ga 24ga Brass 18ga 20ga Nickel 18ga Sterling Silver 18ga 20ga 22ga 24ga Fine Silver 18ga 20ga Round Wire Copper 14ga 16ga 18ga 20ga 22ga Brass 18ga 20ga Nickel 18ga 20ga Sterling Silver 14ga 16ga 18ga 20ga 22ga Fine Silver 16ga 18ga Half-round Wire Sterling Silver 5ga 6ga 8ga 10ga 12ga Casting Grain Sterling Silver Fine Silver Tubing OD Sterling Silver TBL 1.5mm (Hoover & Strong) 2.0mm TBM 2.75mm 4.0mm Copper Various Sizes Brass Various Sizes Unless the instructor has asked for a specific material and/or size, or you foresee needing something other than what is listed above, then you should bring your own material.
The School Store also carries small expendable tools such as: saw blades, sandpaper, drill bits, assorted rotary tool bits, and some small hand tools. It is best to bring your own favorite hand tools and rotary tool bits for use at the bench. The store accepts cash, check, Visa, MasterCard, and Penland Tender.
*Instructors, quantities are limited at the School Store so please notify the coordinator if specific materials and/or sizes will be primarily used.
As a class uses supplies, gases, expendable materials, and special materials requested by the instructor; a studio fee will be assessed.
Safety Information
Your instructor will list any specific safety equipment required in his or her list of materials. In addition to what your instructor lists, you should bring safety goggles, a particle mask or respirator, hearing protection, gloves, an apron, and a shop towel for drying your work. These items are also available for purchase at the School Store if you wish to purchase them when you arrive.There is a mandatory studio/safety tour at the beginning of every class. The tour or walk-through is an introduction to the studio space and the safety equipment. Each studio has three fire extinguishers, a first aid kit, and an eyewash station. The lower studio has a safety shower by the large annealing torch, and a safety shower and eyewash station in the etching room. Penland has a hazardous waste removal program so all studio waste is properly disposed of. If your class generates any hazardous waste, you will be charged a small fee to pay for its removal.
Alcohol is not permitted in the studio.
Working while intoxicated is prohibited.
No illegal drugs are allowed on campus.Session Schedule
Each session starts with an all school meeting Sunday evening at 5 p.m. followed by dinner in the Pines. Classes start Sunday at 8:30 p.m. Classes end and studio clean-up takes place the day before your session ends. The last day of each session is reserved for farewells and an all school exhibition of work created during your time at Penland.Everyone must participate in studio cleanup; if you must leave early, please ask the studio assistant to assign you clean-up tasks you can accomplish before your departure.
If you have questions contact:
Metals Studio Coordinator: Adam Whitney
Phone Number: 828.765.2359x38
E-mail Address: metals@penland.org