Classes - Phoenix Forge

Upcoming Classes at Phoenix Forge

Phoenix Forge orientations will start in February with other classes listed to start in mid-March (date to be determined). Due to COVID-19, we will operate on a reduced schedule of 40 hours each week (2:00 pm-10:00 pm, Monday-Friday) until conditions improve (adding Saturdays and more hours). Class sizes and room capacities are limited to allow for social distancing, and masks are required. Popular equipment can be reserved online after members have registered.

As with all of our classes, sessions will be short and to the point, intended to teach basic concepts and applied practice to get our members started with learning how to use the wide variety of equipment and tools we have available. Classes will repeat throughout each month. We will gradually add project classes and more advanced classes over the next several months. Instructors will also be available at scheduled times to assist those wanting to learn more advanced techniques.

ORIENTATIONS and SAFETY

Phoenix Forge offers a variety of orientation and safety training sessions to meet the needs of individual members. If you want to use equipment in areas outside of the wood and metal shops, and you already have experience with that equipment, you can just take the General Orientation and Safety class and start making. Additional orientations are required for access to the metal and wood shops.

General Orientation and Safety (Required for makerspace access)

A 1-hour introduction required for new members of Phoenix Forge. Emphasis on proper safety protocol (with review of safety handbook), proper clothing, procedures for reserving and using equipment, and how to gain access to the metal or wood shops. Get answers to those burning questions you have about the best way to use Phoenix Forge and become a part of our community. Includes a walking tour of the entire makerspace.

Level: Beginner/Refresher
Length: 1 Hour, 1 Session

Materials Fee: None

Member Fee (with Materials included): Free (included in member registration)
Class Size Limit: 6

Prerequisite(s): Member registration

Clothing Restrictions: Closed-toe shoes recommended.

Metal Shop Orientation and Safety (Required for metal shop general access)

An introduction to the metal working tools available for member use at Phoenix Forge. Emphasis on proper safety protocol, shop procedures, appropriate use of machine tools, and best practices when choosing metal as a medium to create. This 2-hour class will provide time for students to create a small metalworking project to demonstrate safe use of equipment. Completion of this Metal Shop Orientation is required before members can use metal shop equipment for their own projects. Welding Orientation is taught separately.

Level: Beginner/Refresher
Length: 2 Hours, 1 Session

Materials Fee: $5

Member Fee (with Materials included): $25
Class Size Limit: 6

Prerequisite(s): General Orientation and Safety

Clothing Restrictions: Closed-toe shoes (leather preferred), no loose clothing. Safety glasses (bring your own or buy a $2 pair from us.)

Welding Orientation and Safety: MIG, TIG, Plasma Cutting (Required for welding access)

An introduction to the concepts of welding metal with a focus on MIG and TIG. The manual plasma cutter will also be demonstrated. Includes terminology, safety, types of materials, processes, types of joints, and best practices. Completion of this Welding Orientation is required before members can use welding equipment for their own projects. Metal Shop Orientation is taught separately for access to other metal shop equipment.

Level: Beginner/Refresher
Length: 2 Hours, 1 Session

Materials Fee: $5

Member Fee (with Materials included): $25
Class Size Limit: 4

Prerequisite(s): General Orientation and Safety

Clothing Restrictions: Closed-toe shoes (leather preferred), no loose clothing, no synthetic fabrics (they burn well, so wear cotton or leather). Safety glasses (bring your own or buy a $2 pair from us.) Welding jacket (leather or cotton; we have a few on hand you can borrow or buy) and a welding helmet (we have a few on hand you can borrow or buy).

Wood Shop Orientation and Safety (Required for wood shop access)

An introduction to the wood working tools available for member use at Phoenix Forge. Emphasis on proper safety protocol, shop procedures, appropriate use of machine tools, and best practices when choosing wood as a medium to create. This 2-hour class will provide time for students to create a small woodworking project to demonstrate safe use of equipment. Completion of Wood Shop Orientation is required before members can use wood shop equipment for their own projects.

Level: Beginner/Refresher
Length: 2 Hours, 1 Session

Materials Fee: $5

Member Fee (with Materials included): $25
Class Size Limit: 6

Prerequisite(s): General Orientation and Safety

Clothing Restrictions: Closed-toe shoes (leather preferred), no loose clothing. Safety glasses (bring your own or buy a $2 pair from us.)

SHOP FUNDAMENTALS

Classes in shop fundamentals are not required. They are intended as hands-on basic training for those who are new to metal and wood shop equipment or those who just need a refresher on how to use the specific equipment in our shops. Safety practices will also be reviewed. These classes are also a good way to explore shop processes you may be considering for your projects. (NOTE: Our classes are for learning the basics of the tools and equipment in our makerspace. If you are seeking longer classes that lead to professional certifications—in welding or precision machining, for example—we can direct you to one of the community college campuses in our district.)

Wood Shop Fundamentals

An introduction to the overarching concepts of woodworking and the tools available in the Phoenix Forge wood shop. This class will provide you with the building blocks needed to safely use foundational woodworking tools and equipment. Includes terminology, understanding common materials, best tools to use, safety, demonstrations, basic hand tools, and best practices. Learn to cut, rip, contour, shape, and sand wood. This class is offered in two sessions: Session A will review safety, policy, and theory. Session B will be hands-on application and creation of a small wood project.

Level: Beginner/Refresher
Length: 2 Hours each, 2 Sessions

Materials Fee: $10

Member Fee (with Materials included): $110
Non-Member Fee (with Materials included): $135
Class Size Limit: 6

Prerequisite(s): Metal Shop Orientation and Safety

Clothing Restrictions: Closed-toe shoes (leather preferred), no loose clothing. Safety glasses (bring your own or buy a $2 pair from us.)

Metal Shop Fundamentals

An introduction to the overarching concepts of metalworking and the tools available in the Phoenix Forge metal shop. This class will provide you with the building blocks needed to safely use foundational metalworking tools and equipment. Includes terminology, understanding common materials, best tools to use, safety, demonstrations, basic hand tools, and best practices. Learn to cut, bend, melt, join, and shape metal. This class is offered in two sessions: Session A will review safety, policy, and theory. Session B will be hands-on application and creation of a small metal project.

Level: Beginner/Refresher
Length: 2 Hours each, 2 Sessions

Materials Fee: $10

Member Fee (with Materials included): $110
Non-Member Fee (with Materials included): $135
Class Size Limit: 6

Prerequisite(s): Metal Shop Orientation and Safety

Clothing Restrictions: Closed-toe shoes (leather preferred), no loose clothing. Safety glasses (bring your own or buy a $2 pair from us.)

MIG Welding Fundamentals

Metal Inert Gas (MIG) welding, also known as Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW), using a continuous wire feed spool and shielding gas, is the most common industrial welding process because it’s quick and easy to learn. In this class, you will learn the basics of the MIG welding process. Includes material preparation, fixturing, joinery, fabrication techniques, terminology and best practices. Upon completion of the class you will have a strong understanding of the MIG welding process, walk away with the components to weld your own welding fixture, and have the confidence to begin welding your own metalworking projects. This class is offered in two sessions: Session A will review safety, policy, and theory. Session B will include hands-on seat time using the MIG welding process.

Level: Beginner/Refresher
Length: 2 Hours each, 2 Sessions

Materials Fee: $10

Member Fee (with Materials included): $110
Non-Member Fee (with Materials included): $135
Class Size Limit: 6

Prerequisite(s): Metal Shop Orientation and Safety

TIG Welding Fundamentals

Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) welding, also known as Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW), using a consumable tungsten electrode and shielding gas, is a popular process for welding a variety of metals to make stronger, more precise, and higher-quality welds. TIG welding is also slower than MIG and takes longer to learn. In this class, you will learn the basics of the TIG welding process. Includes material preparation, fixturing, joinery, fabrication techniques, terminology and best practices. Upon completion of the class you will have a strong understanding of the TIG welding process, walk away with the components to weld your own welding fixture, and have the confidence to begin welding your own metalworking projects. This class is offered in two sessions: Session A will review safety, policy, and theory. Session B will include hands-on seat time using the TIG welding process.

Level: Beginner/Refresher
Length: 2 Hours each, 2 Sessions

Materials Fee: $10

Member Fee (with Materials included): $110
Non-Member Fee (with Materials included): $135
Class Size Limit: 4

Prerequisite(s): Metal Shop Orientation and Safety

BLACKSMITHING

Learn traditional blacksmithing on the Phoenix Forge gas forge. Bend metal to your will. Hammer hot metal into submission to form functional and decorative objects.

Blacksmithing Basics: Kiridashi Carpentry Marker

Make a small tool for marking wood. Learn: forging to a point, flattening, tapering, beveling, grinding, heat-treating, sharpening.

Level: Beginner/Refresher
Length: 2 Hours

Materials Fee: $5

Member Fee (with Materials included): $85
Non-Member Fee (with Materials included): $110
Class Size Limit: 4

Prerequisite(s): Metal Shop Orientation and Safety

Blacksmithing Basics: Fork

Make a two-tined fork for eating. Learn: forging to a point, flattening, tapering, twisting.

Level: Beginner/Refresher
Length: 2 Hours

Materials Fee: $5

Member Fee (with Materials included): $85
Non-Member Fee (with Materials included): $110
Class Size Limit: 4

Prerequisite(s): Metal Shop Orientation and Safety

Blacksmithing Basics: Spoon

Make a spoon for eating. Learn: forging to a point, flattening, tapering, twisting, dishing.

Level: Beginner/Refresher
Length: 2 Hours

Materials Fee: $5

Member Fee (with Materials included): $85
Non-Member Fee (with Materials included): $110
Class Size Limit: 4

Prerequisite(s): Metal Shop Orientation and Safety

Blacksmithing Basics: Chisel

Make a small tool for cutting wood. Learn: forging to a point, flattening, tapering, beveling, grinding, heat-treating, sharpening.

Level: Beginner/Refresher
Length: 2 Hours

Materials Fee: $5

Member Fee (with Materials included): $85
Non-Member Fee (with Materials included): $110
Class Size Limit: 4

Prerequisite(s): Metal Shop Orientation and Safety

Blacksmithing Basics: Leaf Keychain

Make a small leaf to put on your keys. Learn: forging to a point, upsetting, flattening, tapering, spreading, bending.

Level: Beginner/Refresher
Length: 2 Hours

Materials Fee: $5

Member Fee (with Materials included): $85
Non-Member Fee (with Materials included): $110
Class Size Limit: 4

Prerequisite(s): Metal Shop Orientation and Safety

JEWELRY MAKING and METALSMITHING

JEWELRYMAKING and METALSMITHING

Introduction to Jewelry: Sawing, Riveting, Filing, Finishing

Intended for people with little or no experience making jewelry. Learn the basic processes of sawing, riveting, filing, and finishing. This basic class will lead to more advanced classes in pendant and ring making, bezel settings, texturing metal, and soldering techniques.

Level: Beginner/Refresher
Length: 4 Hours, 1 Session

Materials Fee: $20

Member Fee (with Materials included): $175
Non-Member Fee (with Materials included): $200
Class Size Limit: 6

Prerequisite(s): General Orientation and Safety

Clothing Restrictions: Closed-toe shoes recommended.

3D PRINTING

Digital to Physical: Basics

This course covers 3D scanning tips, processes, and best practices, preparing 3d models for printing, and things to consider when selecting a model to print. Participants will learn the ins and outs of the preliminary process.

Level: Beginner/Refresher
Length: 2 Hours, 1 Session

Materials Fee: $15

Member Fee (with Materials included): $75
Non-Member Fee (with Materials included): $100
Class Size Limit: 6

Prerequisite(s): General Orientation and Safety

Clothing Restrictions: Closed-toe shoes recommended.

3D Printing: Basics

This course covers slicer software, 3d printer safety, settings, file formats, introductory materials, types of printing, print troubleshooting, and post-print cleanup. Don’t know what some of those words mean? Come find out!

Level: Beginner/Refresher
Length: 1.5 Hours each, 2 Sessions

Materials Fee: $15

Member Fee (with Materials included): $105
Non-Member Fee (with Materials included): $130
Class Size Limit: 6

Prerequisite(s): General Orientation and Safety

Clothing Restrictions: Closed-toe shoes recommended.

LASER CUTTING

Laser Cutting: Basics

This course covers the software Phoenix Forge uses to run their laser cutters, basic vector files, vector vs. raster, laser cutter safety, operation, and materials! Participants will be able to make and take a small box home.

Level: Beginner/Refresher
Length: 2 Hours, 1 Session

Materials Fee: $20

Member Fee (with Materials included): $80
Non-Member Fee (with Materials included): $105
Class Size Limit: 6

Prerequisite(s): General Orientation and Safety

Clothing Restrictions: Closed-toe shoes recommended.

Laser Cutting: Etching

This course delves into the artistic side of laser cutting, setting up vector files for multiple laser intensities, and various materials and their receptiveness to less than full laser power. Participants will be able to customize and take a keychain home.

Level: Beginner/Refresher
Length: 2 Hours, 1 Session

Materials Fee: $20

Member Fee (with Materials included): $80
Non-Member Fee (with Materials included): $105
Class Size Limit: 6

Prerequisite(s): General Orientation and Safety

Clothing Restrictions: Closed-toe shoes recommended.