1. home and garden
2. home improvement and repair
3. power tools

Parts and Crafts
Tool Use Policies
2014-2015
Overview
We believe that giving kids the freedom to invent means providing the tools to do
so, and creating a SAFE and PRODUCTIVE space in which to use them. This
means keeping a low kid/adult ratio (6:1) and making sure there is always an
adult on-hand to supervise and assist. It also means using convivial tools — in
the sense of being accessible and human-sized — and providing the support
structure for kids to learn how to use them appropriately.
Inside the Shop
● All of our tools — with the exception of certain power tools — are available
for kid use. This includes hot glue guns, soldering irons, power drills, hand
saws, hammers, screwdrivers, and various small hand tools. Kids are
expected to be aware of their surroundings and to use common sense when
they are using tools.
● Safety goggles and shoes are required in the tool area. If you have long
hair and are planning on using something with moving parts, tie it back
before you turn it on. They are additionally required in any scenario where
an object is being pressurized, launched, or pried open, where there are
chemicals involved, or when soldering. If there is any question as to
whether you *might* need goggles, get a pair and put them on before you
start working on your project.
● Close-toed shoes are required at all times in the tool area. Long hair must
be tied back. If you are doing anything that produces sawdust, you must
wear a dust mask to protect your face while in the tool area.
● If you’ve never used a tool before, ask an adult from Parts and Crafts to
show you how to use it. Lots of our tools (for instance, power drills and
saws) require a few extra steps (for instance, clamping) that are important
and not immediately evident at first glance.
● Glue guns and soldering irons get hot! Minor burns are the number one
injury that we see in the space. Please keep them in their holsters when
not in use, and be sure that your project is DRY and COOL before you take
it off the table and show it to your friends.
● Kids are prohibited from being in the shop area without a staff member
present. No one is permitted in the shop without a supervising adult and
safety goggles. Under certain circumstances, members may be allowed to
use the tools with direct supervision by the shop manager or other
supervising adult. If you need something cut, drilled, or sanded, mark it
and ask a counselor for assistance.
● No running, biking, roller-skating, kid-launching, go-karting, or otherwise
being chaotic and noisy in the tool area. It’s distracting and dangerous,
and makes it hard to concentrate. If it’s got wheels and moves quickly,
take it to the other side of the building (or better yet, outside).
● Shop tools are not weapons. Anything in the space that is used as a
weapon — even in play — will be immediately taken away.
Tool Classification
We have a 3-tiered tool system to guide appropriate tool use in the space. Many
of our introductory projects are designed to build familiarity with basic hand tools
and materials, with the goal of building competency in craftwork of various kinds.
● GREEN TOOLS are available for anyone to use. They do not require
specialized training and are “open access” tools that circulate freely in the
space. Included in this category are common hand tools such as
screwdrivers, wirestrippers, scissors, low-temp hot glue guns, pliers,
unpowered hand drills, and so on.
● YELLOW TOOLS are available only by permission and typically require direct
supervision for use. Kids may be authorized to use these tools
independently under certain circumstances, but only with explicit
permission and regular oversight by a supervising adult. These tools do
not circulate freely and must be returned to the shop (with the exception of
soldering irons). Yellow tools include soldering irons, high-temp glue guns,
hammers, hacksaws, utility knives and battery-powered drills.
● RED TOOLS include all power tools (with the exception of battery powered
drills). With few exceptions, red tools live in the shop and must be used
under direct supervision by the shop manager or other supervising adult.
These tools include: Miter saw, benchtop drill press, belt sander, rotary
tools, and paper cutter.
We also have a small number of BLACK TOOLS which are not available for
member use but may be used by staff. These tools include the bandsaw, the
mini lathe, and the grinder, the latter two being new acquisitions and not yet in
regular use.
Supervision and monitoring
One staff member will be designated as the shop manager for all programs
involving regular tool use. This person is responsible for overseeing and proper
tool use in the space. Kids are not permitted in the shop without safety goggles
and a supervising adult, and the shop will be locked when not in use.
High kid:staff ratios
Beyond this, the primary way that we facilitate safe tool use is by keeping a low
student:teacher ratio. Our standard ratio is 1:6. For shop projects, it is
typically 1:3 or 1:1, with one-on-one assistance required for anything involving
power tools or tools that require direct supervision. By keeping a high staff
ratios, we are able to facilitate a culture in which kids can practice using a wide
variety of tools on a regular basis, which allows kids to develop deeper
competency over time.
Parent communication
We regularly invite parents to tour our shop and offer an explicit description of
these policies in our handbook and registration materials. Parents have the
option of “opting out” of higher levels of tool use if they are not comfortable with
their child using certain types of tools , which limits access to yellow and red tools
and allows families to limit kid access to the shop.
Securing tools when not in use
Green tools circulate freely throughout the space; yellow and red tools, with few
exceptions, are stored in the shop. These tools may only be used with permission
by the shop manager and are kept behind a locked door when not in use.
Soldering irons and glue guns are stored in the main space and turned off when
not in use; they are kept visible so as to improve access and minimize risk of fire.
Current Tool Inventory: 2014-2015
GENERAL TOOLS​
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Commonly used for cutting, shaping, measuring, taking apart, and constructing a wide variety of projects. Many of our starter projects involve these tools; they are often the first point of entry for kids looking to build and create stuff.
Tool Description Type Quantity Color Scissors Various sizes Hand tool Multiple GREEN Tape measure Various sizes Hand tool Multiple GREEN C­clamp Various sizes Hand tool Multiple GREEN Wood glue Material 3­5 GREEN PVC pipe cutter Hand tool 3­5 GREEN Screwdriver assortment Phillips and flat­head Hand tool 30­40 GREEN Small screwdriver assortment Specialty screwdrivers Hand tool 30­40 GREEN Combination wrench set Hand tool 1­2 GREEN Socket set Hand tool 1­3 GREEN Adjustable wrench Hand tool Multiple GREEN Vice grip Hand tool 3­5 GREEN Needle nose pliers For jewelry + electronics Hand tool Multiple GREEN Hot glue guns Mini / craft size, low temp Hand tool 10­15 GREEN Tin snips Hand tool Multiple GREEN Utility knife Hand tool 8­10 YELLOW Pry bar Various sizes Hand tool 2­3 YELLOW Hammer Various sizes Hand tool Multiple YELLOW Drill bit set Multipurpose bits Accessory Multiple YELLOW Staple gun Hand tool 3­5 YELLOW Heat gun Power tool 1­2 RED ELECTRONICS​
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Breaks down into two categories: common hand tools (which circulate) and soldering tools (which may only be used with direct authorization by a grown­up). These tools live on or near the electronics workbench. Does not include components or consumables.
Tool Description Type Quantity Color Wire stripper Hand tool Multiple GREEN Needle­nose pliers Hand tool Multiple GREEN Diagonal cutters Hand tool Multiple GREEN Solder vacuum Hand tool 3­5 GREEN Digital multimeter Electronics 3­5 GREEN Temp­controlled soldering station With replaceable bits Soldering 2­5 YELLOW Soldering stand + sponge Soldering 2­5 YELLOW Helping hands Soldering 2­5 YELLOW Oscilloscope Electronics 2 YELLOW Power supply Electronics 1 YELLOW Fume extractor Soldering 1 YELLOW WOODWORKING​
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This category includes most of the power tools that are used in the space. With few exceptions, these tools live in the shop and require explicit permission and / or direct supervision from the shop manager in order to be used. Older kids may be trained with parental approval; younger kids typically ask counselors to make the cuts for them. Tool Description Type Quantity Color Rasp assortment Hand tool 5­10 GREEN Electric Drill / Driver Variable speed Power tool 3­4 YELLOW Miter box Hand tool 2 YELLOW Hack saw Various sizes Hand tool 3­5 YELLOW Mini hack saw Various sizes Hand tool 3­5 YELLOW Wood chisel set Various widths Hand tool Multiple YELLOW Block plane Hand tool 1­2 YELLOW Rotary tool Dremel or similar Power tool 2 RED Benchtop drill press Multiple speed Power tool 2 RED Circular saw Corded with case Power tool 1 RED Miter saw Power tool 1 RED Jigsaw Variable speed Power tool 1 RED Belt sander With vacuum attachment Power tool 1 RED Bench grinder For tool sharpening Power tool 1 BLACK Bandsaw Power tool 2 BLACK Lathe Power tool 1 BLACK Computers and 3D Printing​
. Computers may be used for a variety of purposes including graphic design, 3D printing, computer programming, and audio editing. We have two desktop stations, one of which is set up as a rapid prototyping station, as well as circulating laptops which may be used for independent or group work. Tool Description Type Quantity Color Laptops HP and Thinkpad models Computers 10­15 GREEN Desktop computers Imac, and Dell models Computers 3­4 GREEN Digital cameras Various models Accessories 10­12 GREEN Laser printer Brother 4150 Accessories 1 GREEN Copy machine Xerox Accessories 1 GREEN Makerbot, various models Rapid prototyping 2 YELLOW 3D printer Textiles and Crafts​
. The following list includes tools only; it does not include the range of additional materials, including fabric, paint, scissors, tape, glue, and other assorted basics for craftwork which are freely available for use in the space. Tool Description Type Quantity Color Hand sewing needles Hand tool Multiple GREEN Seam ripper Hand tool 1­2 GREEN Sewing machine Power tool 1 YELLOW Fabric shears Hand tool Multiple YELLOW Steam iron Hand tool 1­2 YELLOW Serger Power tool 1 RED Hot wire foam cutter 1 YELLOW Paper cutter For bookmaking 1 RED Safety Equipment​
. Required for shop use, when handling chemicals or hot or cold items, or when any object is being compressed, launched, or pressurized. For specific requirements, see our tool use guidelines (above). Safety gear lives near the door of the shop and is required for any project involving power tools. Tool Description Type Quantity Color Safety glasses Impact resistant / front Safety gear 40+ N/A Safety goggles Impact resistant / full coverage Safety gear 20+ N/A First aid kit 3­shelves, fully stocked Safety gear 2 N/A Traveling first aid kits Field trip kits Safety gear 4 N/A Locked medical cabinet for medications 3­shelf cabinet Safety gear 1 N/A Fire extinguisher Near all entrances Safety gear 6 N/A Work gloves Rubberized palm coating Safety gear 20+ N/A Disposable gloves Non­latex, various sizes Safety gear 100+ N/A Disposable respirators Dust mask respirators Safety gear 50+ N/A Ear protection Sound insulating Safety gear 6­10 N/A Prospective tools
These are tools that we do not currently have but are interested in acquiring, pending improvements to our ventilation system. Welding and lasercutting require additional permitting from the Somerville Fire Department, which we would pursue in the case of adding these tools to our space. Tool Type Quantity Color Restrictions Scroll saw Power tool 1 RED Direct supervision only MIG welder Metalworking 1 RED Direct supervision only Table saw Power tool 1 BLACK Staff use only Router Power tool 1 BLACK Staff use only Laser cutter Power tool 1 BLACK Staff use only