Workshops

There are many ways to learn new skills at the BDW — one of the easiest is to attend a workshop! We offer regular weekly workshops—in woodworking, metalworking, sewing, laser cutting, 3D printing, and electronics—along with occasional one-off workshops in things like jewelry making, furniture making, design software, and more!

Our introductory workshops are scheduled every weekday between 2pm and midnight.

Our advanced workshops are shorter and not scheduled, but held by request— meaning you can just walk in whenever, find a monitor and ask them to train you!

For all our workshops, no need to sign up— just show up! Note that all workshops are first come, first served— each workshop has a maximum number of participants as indicated on the calendar, and monitors will often create a waitlist for highly sought-after workshops around 15 minutes prior to the workshop beginning.

Below you can find a list of workshops available and a calendar of scheduled workshops. We’ve included an approximate duration for each workshop, but this can vary based on number of people attending, how many extra tips and tricks the monitor wants to share, or amount of banter taking place. :)

Completion of workshops allows you to access the respective tools during monitor hours and earns you a new sticker to adorn your BDW badge. Visit our workshop calendar!

INTRODUCTORY WOOD WORKSHOP (1-1.5 hours)

The intro to wood workshop teaches members the basic skills associated with woodworking by building a toolbox. The tools taught in the workshop are hand saws, bandsaws, combination squares, drill presses, screwdrivers, and pneumatic brad nailers. After this workshop, members are qualified to ask monitors on duty to unlock the bandsaws, pneumatic brad nailer compressor, and drill presses for them. 

INTRODUCTORY SHEET METAL WORKSHOP (1 hour)

The intro to the sheet metal workshop teaches member all of the non-power sheet metal working tools by building a pencil box. The tools taught in the workshop are the foot shear, finger brakes, notcher, metal shears, bench punch, hand punch, and riveters. Overall, the workshop provides members with a better sense of the metal working tools available and trains them how to use the tools effectively to complete projects. 

INTRODUCTORY 3D PRINTING (20-40 min)

The intro to the 3D printing workshop teaches members how to use the hardware and software associated with the PRUSA printers. The workshop will lead the members through a simple print set-up, show where to find resources online for future prints, and discuss BDW policy and procedure around signing in for personal prints. We ask that you bring a personal computer if you have one so that you can follow along as we set up the software necessary to use the printers. After the workshop, members are qualified to use the 3D printers for personal prints.

INTRODUCTORY LASER CUTTING (60-75 min)

The intro to the laser cutting workshop teaches members how to properly set up their Adobe Illustrator file(s) for laser cutting use: setting the color mode to RGB, assigning colors to the lines and shapes for vector cuts/rasters, changing the stroke thickness, and setting the power, speed, and PPI. After the workshop, members are qualified to use the laser cutting computer to upload their file and start a cut when the workshop is open.

INTRODUCTORY SEWING WORKSHOP (1-1.5 hour)

This workshop covers how to thread a sewing machine, address basic malfunctions, wind and load a bobbin, as well as perform basic sewing on a machine. Basic hand-sewing is also now included in this workshop as a supplement to machine sewing. Members must be trained to use this machine and cannot remove it from the space. Some projects include tote bags, stuffed animals, pillows, etc.

MACHINE EMBROIDERY WORKSHOP (1-1.5 hour)

This workshop covers how to create designs digitally for our home sewing embroidery machine, set up the machine, use the machines pre-set designs and text features, as well as how to perform embroidery on the machine. Some projects include stitched designs on t-shirts, patches, monogram towels, etc. Software used in this workshop is open-source and free to use.

VINYL CUTTER WORKSHOP (1-1.5 hour)

This workshop covers how to create designs digitally for our vinyl cutter (Silhouette Cameo) to create decals, stickers, vinyl heat transfer applications on fabric, fun-shaped cards, etc, and also covers how to operate the vinyl cutter to make these designs a reality!

ADVANCED WOOD WORKSHOPS (30 min-1 hour)

The advanced wood workshops teach members additional skills associated with woodworking by giving them practice on using the tools for their intended purpose(s). We have individual workshops for the scroll saw, miter saw, table saw, track saw, router, and jig saw. After each workshop, members are qualified to ask monitors on duty to unlock any tools they are trained on. 

WOOD LATHE WORKSHOP (1 hour)

This workshop outlines how to spin/turn wood on our wood lathe to create cylindrical profiles, and this workshop results in the creation of a wooden pen. 

PLANER AND JOINTER WORKSHOP (30min)

This workshop outlines how to plane timber to create smooth lumber on the planing and joining machinery. 

ELECTRONICS WORKSHOP

The electronics workshop teaches members how to solder by soldering components onto a custom LED-flasher circuit. The tools taught in the workshop are the soldering irons, PCB vise, solder fume extractor, brass tip cleaner, and various soldering tools. After this workshop, members are qualified to use the soldering irons and other equipment in the electronics room

BDW Workshop FAQs

  • Nope! No registration required. Just show up five-ten minutes before the workshop begins and you’ll be good to go.

  • Nope! Just like our membership, our tools, and our scrap materials, all workshops are completely free and open to all.

  • No prior experience with tools is required! Our monitors will teach you everything you need to know to use our tools and are happy to answer any questions.

  • Please wear pants and closed toed shoes, and review our safety policy. If you are planning to take a 3D printing, Laser, or CNC workshop, we ask that you bring a laptop so that you can follow along with the workshop. We look forward to seeing you!

  • Welcome! Find one of the two on-shift monitors (they’ll be wearing aprons) and let them know you’re there for a workshop. If it’s your first time in the space, the monitors will set you up with a BDW membership card and show you around.

  • Even if you have previous experience in any of our tools, you are still required to complete the BDW workshop before using them.