WOODSHOP
HANDBOOK
Revised April 2015
Edina Community Center
5701 Normandale Road
Edina, MN 55424
952-848-3952
WELCOME
Welcome to the Edina Community Center Woodshop!
Our Community Woodshop originally opened its doors in
September 1949 as part of Edina-Morningside High School. The
woodshop was a vibrant place of learning throughout an era
when shop class was a regular part of Edina’s curriculum.
In 1972, a new high school was opened on the west side of town.
From 1972-1981, Edina had two high schools: Edina West (known as
the Cougars) and Edina East (Hornets).
In May 1981, Edina East closed its doors as a high school; all high
school students moved to the newer and more efficient building.
The old Edina East was reborn as the Edina Community Center.
The Edina Community Center Woodshop was opened for
community use as part of Edina Community Education in 1982.
Our woodshop offers access to solid, hard-working equipment.
More importantly, it offers the unique camaraderie that is built
when community members come together to work on projects,
share advice and insight, and make connections with like-minded,
talented woodworkers with a wide range of skills and interests. You
have a standing offer to join us for coffee at 10:00am each work
day! We look forward to welcoming you into our community.
2 | Edina Woodshop Manual
We have published this handbook to help ensure that
expectations are clear and that safely practices and shop
procedures are shared by all. Our goal is provide a safe,
welcoming, creative learning environment. We want to ensure
that this community gem can be maintained for generations of
woodworkers to come. Your cooperation is appreciated and will
help us meet our goals.
ORGANIZATION
The Community Woodshop is a program of Edina Public Schools’
Edina Community Education Services Program. A well-organized
advisory group, known as the "Edina Woodcrafters," provides
volunteer support and serves in an advisory role to Edina
Community Education and Edina Public Schools staff. The Edina
Woodcrafters contribute the unique knowledge, experience and
skills needed to operate the Community Woodshop on a daytoday basis.
THE ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE EDINA COMMUNITY
EDUCATION STAFF INCLUDE:
1. Setting policies and practices that align with Edina Public
Schools policies and ensure an environment that is as safe
as possible
Edina Community Education | 3
2. Setting policies and practices that support the mission of
Edina Community Education and Edina Public Schools and
ensure a high-quality, welcoming and creative lifelong
learning environment
3. Collaborating with Edina Public Schools staff to ensure
that the woodshop equipment and facilities are regularly
maintained and updated as needed
4. Maintaining an annual budget to ensure that the
woodshop is self-sustaining
5. Scheduling dates, times and prices for the open woodshop
and skill-buildling classes
6. Communication with participants about policies,
procedures, and expectations
7. Communication with the wider community about class
opportunities, events and the the value of the program
8. Seeking regular feedback and evaluation from participants
to ensure that the Community Woodshop runs smoothly
and meets the ever-evolving needs of our community
LEARN MORE ABOUT EDINA COMMUNITY EDUCATION
Find us on Facebook at facebook.com/edinacommunityeducation
4 | Edina Woodshop Manual
THE ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE VOLUNTEER ADVISORY
GROUP KNOWN AS THE "EDINA WOODCRAFTERS" INCLUDE:
1. Making general program recommendations to Edina
Community Education and Edina Public Schools staff. Serve
as advocates for concerns
2. Assessing community needs and interests for new classes
and provide suggestions to Community Education staff
3. Helping recruit highly-qualified and community-oriented
instructors for the quarterly orientation and special interest/
skill-building classes
4. Creating and maintaining the daily Monitor Calendar
5. Monitoring the safety and maintenance needs for
equipment, and working closely with Edina Community
Education and Edina Public Schools staff to facilitate
maintenance and repair
WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT EDINA WOODCRAFTERS?
Learn more about the organization of the Edina
Woodcrafters on page 16.
Edina Community Education | 5
GETTING STARTED: NUTS & BOLTS
Ready to get started? Here are the steps you need to take.
1. Register and attend the mandatory Woodshop Orientation
session. 8-hour orientation classes meet at the beginning
of each session and introduce safe operation of all power
equipment and shop procedures. Check the Edina
Community Education Lifelong Learning catalog for dates
and times
2. Register for Open Woodshop sessions and/or skill-building
enrichment classes. When you register for Open Woodshop,
you become a member of "Edina Woodcrafters." The
first time you register, you will receive a security badge
that enables you to enter the Woodshop. In subsequent
sessions, your badge will be activated once you have
registered and paid for the current session
3. Sign up for your Monitor duty. Expect to be Woodshop
Monitor roughly 2 times per month or as needed,
depending on number of participants. Participants may
sign up for available time slots and/or be assigned as
needed. New class members will be assigned monitor
duties with an experienced monitor
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4. Be an active, engaged and respectful participant! Ask for
advice, suggestions and help when you need it. Safety is
more important than pride
5. Provide feedback, ideas, and suggestions to make the
program run more smoothly
6. Note that the Community Woodshop exists for learning and
community-building. Commercial production for sale or
profit is not consistent with our goals and mission and is not
allowed
Edina Community Education | 7
OPEN WOODSHOP HOURS
We run two sections of Open Woodshop each session. Choose
and register for either the Day or the Evening/Weekend session.
Note that your badge will only allow you access to the session of
your choice.
❏ Day (M-F, 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.)
❏ E
vening/Weekend (Tu, Th ,F, 6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m, Sat 8:00
a.m. - 12:30 p.m.)
❏ Summer (M-F, 6:00 p.m. -9:00 p.m )
IMPORTANT NOTES
1. Y
our security badge will allow you to enter only during the hours
for the session in which you are registered
2. F or safety, security and liability reasons, the Woodshop closes
promptly at 12noon on weekdays, 9:00 p.m. in the evenings,
and 12:30 p.m. on Saturdays. All participants must leave and
doors must be locked and secured at this time
3. O
ne day per session may be designated for a thorough
cleaning of machines and work areas, and work on projects will
not be possible
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4. T he woodshop is closed whenever Edina Public Schools are
closed. This may include national holidays, closures related
to weather or other emergencies, and special events such
as homecoming football games when parking and security
are priorities. Check the Edina Community Education Lifelong
Learning Catalog for details. Check our website at www.
edinaschools.org for emergency closures
MAINTAINING A SAFE AND WELCOMING
LEARNING ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL:
OPERATING PROCEDURES
1. Two certified and currently registered Edina Woodcrafters
must be present at all times in order to operate any
equipment
2. Everyone using tools, equipment and space in the
Community Woodshop must have completed orientation,
be currently registered with active badge, and must
be scheduled to serve as monitor during the session.
Registration fees and monitor duties are not waived or
prorated. Drop-in woodworkers are not permitted
3. A safe and clean area must be maintained at all times.
Clean up each machine you use after each use
Edina Community Education | 9
4. All members share responsibility for helping to create a safe
and welcoming learning atmosphere in our woodshop. All
members are encouraged to suggest a safer or better way
to operate a machine, caution against the aggressive use
of a machine, and keep an open mind and cooperate if
corrected and/or cautioned
WORKBENCH SPACE AND STORAGE
1. Space is limited in our Community Woodshop. Two or more
members may need to share workbench space
2. Enrollment in Open Woodshop may be limited to maintain
a safe work environment
3. One cabinet storage space will be assigned for each
enrolled participant. The cabinet is available for your use
during the session for which you are registered, and must
be cleaned and emptied when you are not registered
4. Keep small ongoing projects in your cabinet space
5. Woodworking projects too large to store may remain on
the floor for a maximum of 90 days. Everything must be
labeled with name and date. When selecting projects to
complete in our woodshop, please use common sense and
10 | Edina Woodshop Manual
courtesy and consider the amount of space that must be
shared among all users
6. Metal cabinets under the work benches may also be used
for storage (on a first-come, first-served basis). Provide your
own lock
7. The wood cage is used only to store raw wood that will
be used for current projects. Put your name and date on
wood. Do not store wood in cage beyond the end of the
session. Wood cage is for use by current members only.
Wood left in wood cage either unmarked or beyond a
reasonable time period may be considered a donation to
woodshop members
MONITORS
Woodshop Monitors, organized by Edina Woodcrafters, supervise
the daily use of the Woodshop. Roles and responsibilities of
woodshop monitors include:
1. Ensure that all participants have an active security
badge, indicating that they have completed the required
orientation and are currently registered
2. Ensure safe operation of all machines and equipment
Edina Community Education | 11
3. Ensure daily cleanup of machines and work areas
4. Report any damage to equipment or operating concerns
to Edina Woodcrafters leaders and/or Edina Community
Education staff
5. Assist members with projectsas needed. Monitors should
not work on their own projects when serving as Monitor
6. Wear a red monitor apron for easy identification
7. Arrive by 7:45 a.m./5:55 p.m. in order to open the shop by
8:00 a.m./6:00 p.m.
8. Prepare coffee by 10:00 a.m. and clean break area by
12:00 noon
9. Signal cleanup time at 11:45 a.m /8:45 p.m.
10. Arrange a substitute if unable to serve as monitor on
scheduled day/time
11. Call to remind next day’s monitor of the commitment
OPENING/CLOSING CHECKLIST FOR MONITORS
❏ Unlock/Lock all lockers and cabinets
❏ Turn on/Turn off all lights and fans
❏ Turn on/Turn off main breaker in office
❏ Secure all doors
❏ Return shop keys to main office
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USING TOOLS, MACHINES AND EQUIPMENT
Detailed operating instructions are posted by each piece of
equipment in the Community Woodshop. It is your responsibility
to ensure that you understand the safe and effective use of the
equipment. If you have no previous experience or are unsure, ask
a monitor or another class member for assistance. Safety is more
important than pride.
1. Clean around each machine and/or area when finished. If
debris builds up such that safety is adversely affected while
you are working, pause and clean the machine and area
2. Clean sanding belts and discs after each use to promote
longer life of the abrasive and better results with your
projects
3. Return all hand tools to the proper storage place when
finished so that others may locate and use them. Do not
leave them on your bench or on the tool crib bench
4. If you break a bit or blade, discharge the safety cartridge,
etc., you are expected to replace it at your own expense
5. It may become necessary to take a machine off line.
The monitors will inspect the machine, notify the Edina
Woodcrafters leadership, and agree on the proper action.
If the machine is removed from use, Community Education
Staff will be informed. All participants must abide by this
decision
Edina Community Education | 13
ABUSE AND MISUSE OF EQUIPMENT
Monitors ensure the safe use of equipment and ensure that the
equipment will last and be available for community use.
Examples of misuse of equipment include:
1. Failure to stay with a machine until it is completely stopped
2. Failure to clean machines
3. Failure to use compressed air to cool forstner bits and deep
boring bits
4. Failure to use fence and miter gage in proper and safe
relationship
5. Failure to use proper sanding belts in relation to type of
wood
6. Forcing a machine or tool beyond its designated function
or capacity
7. Removing tools or equipment from the Community
Woodshop for personal use
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If/when a Monitor witnesses or learns of a violation of procedure or
practice or misuse of equipment, he or she has the responsibility
to:
1. Suggest a safer or better way to use the tools, equipment
and machinery. However, it is the operator's, not the
monitor's, responsibility to determine how or if to proceed
2. Give a written warning of guideline infraction after
consultation with the Edina Woodcrafters President or Vice
President
3. Notify the secretary, who will keep a log of written warnings
4. A second infraction will result in notifying Edina Community
Education staff
5. A third infraction will result in the member being asked to
leave the program with no refund of tuition
Edina Community Education | 15
EDINA WOODCRAFTERS
When a participant registers for Open Woodshop, he or she
becomes a member of the volunteer group known as the Edina
Woodcrafters. The following items outline how Edina Woodcrafters
generally operate:
1. Each year, Edina Woodcrafters elect (or appoint) 4
members to serve as leaders for the year: a President, a
Vice President, a Secretary, and an Evening Woodshop
Liaison. This group works closely with Edina Community
Education staff to ensure that the Community Woodshop
runs smoothly and is welcoming and safe for all
2. The President serves as the lead liaison between Edina
Woodcrafters and Edina Community Education staff
3. The Vice President becomes the President in the second
year of a two-year term. In the absence of the President,
the Vice President takes on the President’s role
4. The Secretary establishes and maintains the Monitor
calendar. In the absence of the President and vice
President, the Secretary will assume the President’s role
5. The President will maintain checking account and debit
card for Edina Woodcrafters expenses and donations
16 | Edina Woodcrafters Manaul
6. A voluntary contribution of $1.00/week, placed in the
woodshop basket, goes toward coffee, cookies, and
paper supplies
7. When members of Edina Woodcrafters teach a class
for Edina Community Education, including Orientation
and skill-building classes, they are paid an instructor fee.
This fee is generally paid to "Edina Woodcrafters" and
goes into the Edina Woodcrafters checking account.
Edina Woodcrafters together determine what to do with
the money in this account. Often they buy equipment
to enhance the community woodshop. Purchase of
equipment must be coordinated and approved by Edina
Community Education/Edina Public Schools staff
8. Occasionally, community members and organizations
ask for help with woodworking projects. The Edina
Woodcrafters will evaluate the project and determine if
any members are interested in assisting. A fee may be
charged for this service to pay for supplies and equipment
Edina Community Education | 17
PARTIAL LIST OF EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE IN OUR
COMMUNITY WOODSHOP
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
band saws
table saws
jointer
planer
large, small and mini lathes
timesaver
horizontal belt sander
2 disc/small belt sander
1 vertical/disc sander
2 cross cut saws
1 joint/tendoning
3 drill presses
2 grinders
2 nail guns
3 routers
3 hand sanders
1 biscuit cutter
3 power drills–electric
3 hand sanders–electric
1 finishing/paint
tool room with miscellaneous clamps and hand tools
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CONTACT INFORMATION
Edina Community Education
5701 Normandale Road | Edina, MN 55424
952-848-3952
A current list of the Edina Community Education Adult Programs
Manager, Director of Edina Community Education, and Edina
Woodcrafters leaders, along with thier contact information, will be
posted annually in the Community Woodshop.
EDINA COMMUNITY EDUCATION MISSION
The mission of Edina Community Education is to
enrich lives and strengthen community by keeping
all community members meaningfully connected
and engaged through lifelong learning.
Edina Community Education | 19
Edina Community Education Services – ISD 273
5701 Normandale Road
Edina, MN 55424
(952) 848-3952
Edina Community Education Services is a program of Edina Public Schools
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