Penland Wood Studio Information

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Equipment
This list is designed to help students anticipate what tools and equipment will be available at Penland. Items on the list may change before your class. Instructors will determine which equipment is appropriate for your class. Some equipment may not be available in some classes.

The Penland wood studio contains equipment to suit a variety of woodworking needs.

Machine Room

  • 2 10" table saws, one of which is a Sawstop, with a variety of accessory, tools, and jigs;
  • 12" jointer
  • 8" jointer
  • 24” thickness sander
  • 22" planer
  • 12" portable planer
  • 23" band saw for re-sawing
  • 18" band saw for pattern work
  • 4 lathes with tool rests and face plates
  • 2 router tables
  • horizontal slot mortiser
  • 2 drill presses in the shop, a 15" press and a 30" radial arm drill
  • oscillating spindle sander
  • pneumatic drum sander
  • disc and horizontal belt sander
  • 3’ x 6’ downdraft sander
  • vacuum press system for veneering and laminations
  • 7 hp. air compressor
  • Portable power tools
  • belt sanders
  • routers
  • power plane
  • cordless and corded drills
  • plate joiners
  • jigsaws
  • grinders for power carving
  • random-orbit sanders

Hand Tools

  • hand planes
  • scrapers
  • handsaws
  • drawknives
  • spokeshaves
  • chisels and gouges
  • a large variety of clamps

As is the case in any teaching shop, condition of edged tools varies. Students are responsible for tuning and sharpening the tools they use and are welcome to bring to classes any favorite hand tools. Our facility is equipped with a large spray booth for both solvent and water based finishes.

Supplies and Materials
In addition to supplies specifically requested by an instructor for the class, the Penland wood studio generally stocks a variety of finishing supplies and glues. A fee may be charged to classes to recover the costs of supplies used by the class as a group. If we anticipate this studio fee to exceed $50 we will attempt to inform students before arrival at Penland. Wood for student use is stocked by the school, and sold to students individually by the board. Payment for wood purchased from Penland will be made at the end of the session at the School Store. Checks, cash and Mastercard/VISA are accepted. The cost of class materials is not included in tuition. Students are welcome to bring a personal supply of wood for the class, but the studio reserves the right to disallow using some machines in the case of dirt or possible metal inclusions in the wood. Students are expected to bring their own personal safety gear, or plan to purchase it locally after arriving at Penland. You will need at least to have safety glasses and ear protection. Your instructor may require other safety equipment, depending on your class.

The school maintains a comprehensive hazardous waste program and asks that you limit the materials you bring to those classified as non-toxic. The material must be in its original packaging. An environmental fee will be assessed for classes generating hazardous waste. In order to limit hazardous waste generation in the studios, we cannot allow students to bring toxic materials outside of the class supply list into the studio.

Toolkits
Students in wood classes at Penland may choose to rent a toolkit from the studio assistant. Toolkits include a set of bench chisels, a mallet, 18" steel rule, squares, drill bits, block plane, and marking gauge. The toolbox rent is $5 per summer class and $15 per concentration. Students are responsible for replacing or repairing lost or damaged tools at the discretion of the coordinator. Condition of the tools will be reported when the toolkit is checked out, and when it is returned. Replacement values are listed with the kits.

Classroom
There is no classroom at the wood studio. Class demonstrations and discussions are held in our spacious and happy bench room.

Student Workspace
Penland wood classes generally have no more than eleven students. Each student will have a bench with 100 square feet of his or her own for the duration of the class. Lighting in the wood studio is fluorescent, augmented by daylight. Students may wish to bring a supplemental work light.

Storage
Each bench area has a locker. Locks are provided at no charge. Storage of students' personal supplies will be limited in the studio to the area of the bench assigned to the student.

Safety Information
The Penland wood studio requires for student safety that no student use any machine tool (stationary power tool) before he or she has been instructed in its proper use. We also use the buddy system: students may not use any machine tool while alone in the building.

The wood studio is equipped with a safety eyewash station, with a sink for washing, and with a first aid kit that is regularly restocked. Students should bring their own safety glasses, respiratory protection, and gloves, or plan to purchase them from the school store.

The coordinator will perform a safety tour and introduction to the studio. All students must be present for the shop introduction, and no one may begin using the studio before he or she has attended a safety tour of the shop.

Alcohol is not permitted in the studios. Working in the studios under the influence of alcohol is not permitted. The use of illegal drugs at Penland is prohibited.

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.

If you wish to use equipment in other studios during your session, you must work with the instructor, studio assistant or coordinator of that studio to request access. They will determine if the desired usage is compatible with their class activities, and if you are able to work safely and independently with the equipment.

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:
Studio Coordinator: Steven Tengelsen
Studio: 828-765-2013
E-mail Address: wood@penland.org

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