Classes

Phoenix Forge offers a variety of classes for our members.

Class List

General Orientation and Safety

General Orientation

A 1-hour introduction required for new members of Phoenix Forge. Emphasis on proper safety protocol (with a 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.

Level: Beginner/Refresher • Length: 1 Hour, 1 Session • Materials Fee: None • Fee : Free (included in member registration) • Class Size Limit: 6 • Prerequisite(s): Member registration • When: Mondays at 3pm, Mondays at 6pm

Prototyping

Prototyping Orientation

A brief introduction to 3D printing and laser cutting and etching. Course will cover basics of operating the machinery, as well as safety. This orientation is required before using equipment in the prototyping area.

Level: Beginner/Refresher • Length: 1 Hour • Fee: $0, included with membership • Class Size Limit: 4 • Prerequisite(s): General Orientation and Safety • When: Mondays at 4pm, Mondays at 7pm

Laser Basics

This course covers the programs 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 box home.

Level: Beginner/Refresher • Length: 1.5 Hours each, 2 Sessions • Fee (with Materials included): $50 • Class Size Limit: 6 • Prerequisite(s): General Orientation and Safety

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 • Fee: $50 • Class Size Limit: 6 • Prerequisite(s): General Orientation and Safety

Wood Shop

Wood Shop Orientation and Safety

This course is an introduction to the woodworking tools available for member use at Phoenix Forge. This course will provide a comprehensive overview of shop safety and procedures as well as best practices for each stationary power tool. This course is two hours in length and is designed for all levels of woodworking experience. Each student will be guided through the safe and proper usage of the tool before using the woodworking tools to complete a small project. After the completion of the Wood Shop Orientation you will gain access to the woodworking tools and the ability to reserve time in the space. To attend this class you will be required to have closed-toed (safety-toe recommended), pants, and a shirt. You will be provided additional PPE in the course.

Length: 2 hrs • Class Size: 3 • Prerequisites: General Safety Orientation • Clothing Restrictions: Closed-toe shoes • Fee: $50

Lathe Orientation

This course is an introduction to the lathe. This course will provide a comprehensive overview of lathe safety and the fundamentals of turning wood. This course is three hours in length and will guide each student through the safe and proper usage of the lathe while completing a small project. After the completion of the Lathe Orientation you will gain access to and the ability to reserve time on the lathe. To attend this class you will be required to have closed-toed (safety-toe recommended), pants, and a shirt. You will be provided additional PPE in the course.

Length: 3 hrs • Class Size: 2 • Prerequisites: General Safety Orientation, Woodshop Orientation • Clothing Restrictions: Closed-toe shoes • Fee: $50

Lathe Basics: Intro to Wood Turning

This course is an introduction to bowl turning on the lathe. This course will provide a comprehensive overview of lathe safety and the fundamentals of face turning. This course is three hours in length and will guide each student through the safe and proper usage of the lathe while completing a small bowl. To attend this class you will be required to have closed-toed shoes and will be provided PPE.

Length: 3 hrs • Class Size: 2 • Prerequisites: General Safety Orientation, Woodshop Orientation, Lathe Orientation • Clothing Restrictions: Closed-toe shoes • Fee: $125

Whittling Workshop: Whittle Squirrel

This course is an introduction to whittling. In this class, we will cover the use of various carving tools, visualizing and layout techniques, and order of operations. This course is two hours in length and will guide students through a small project, a whittle squirrel. To attend this class you will be required to have closed-toed shoes and will be provided safety glasses.

Length: 2 hrs • Class Size: 6 • Prerequisites: General Safety Orientation • Fee: $35

Cutting Board Class

This course is a project based course where students will complete a medium sized cutting board (8x11in). This course will provide the best practices for planning out a woodworking project, as well as cover the fundamentals of jointing and planing material, and food-safe finishing techniques. This course is 4 hours in length and takes place over two sessions that are 2 hours long. To attend this class you will be required to have closed-toed (safety-toe recommended), pants, and a shirt. You will be provided additional PPE in the course. Materials are included.

Length: 4 hrs (2 Sessions 2 Hours in Length) • Class Size: 4 • Prerequisites: General Safety Orientation, Woodshop Orientation • Fee: $100 • 2 session class

Metal Shop

Metal Shop Orientation

This course is an introduction to the metalworking tools available for member use at Phoenix Forge. This course will provide a comprehensive overview of shop safety and procedures as well as best practices for each stationary power tool. This course is two hours in length and is designed for all levels of metalworking experience. Each student will be guided through the safe and proper usage of the tool before using the metalworking tools. After the completion of the Metalshop Orientation, you will gain access to the metalworking tools and the ability to reserve time in the space. To attend this class you will be required to have closed-toed (safety-toe recommended), natural fiber clothing (no synthetic materials), pants, and a shirt. You will be provided additional PPE in the course.

Level: Beginner/Refresher • Length: 2 Hours, 1 Session • Fee (with Materials included): $50 • Class Size Limit: 3 • Prerequisite(s): General Orientation and Safety

Welding Orientation

This course is an introduction to welding. This course will provide a comprehensive overview of welding safety and the fundamentals of MIG welding. This course is two hours in length and will guide each student through the safe and proper usage of the MIG welders. After the completion of the Welding Orientation, you will gain access to and the ability to reserve time on the Welders. To attend this class you will be required to have closed-toed (safety-toe recommended), natural fiber clothing (no synthetic materials), pants, and a shirt. You will be provided additional PPE in the course.

Level: Beginner/Refresher • Length: 2 Hours, 1 Session • Fee (with Materials included): $50 • Class Size Limit: 3 • Prerequisite(s): General Orientation and Safety, Metal Shop Orientation

Electronics and Robotics

Introduction to Electronics: Soldering and Basic Components

Intended for people with little or no experience soldering. Learn the basic processes of soldering, desoldering, and circuit building with a battery, switch, and LED. Participants will make a small flashlight badge to take home.

Level: Beginner/Refresher • Length: 1.5 Hours, 1 Session • Fee (with Materials included): $50 • Class Size Limit: 6 • Prerequisite(s): General Orientation and Safety

Introduction to Sensors: Make and Arduino Self-Watering Mini-Garden

Learn how to make a plant water itself using Arduino, a soil moisture sensor, and a 3D printed pump. You’ll also learn how to add a simple LED indicator to show the current soil condition, and you’ll learn how to program the Arduino to sense the ideal moisture level for your plant’s soil.

Level: Beginner/Refresher • Length: 2 Hours, 2 Sessions • Fee (with Materials included): $125 • Class Size Limit: 4 • Prerequisite(s): General Orientation and Safety

Electronics: Assemble an Analog Synth

Learn how to make a 555 timer-based analog synth while also practicing soldering skills using a variety of electronic components on a pre-printed PCB. Students will learn how to recognize and solder LEDs, resistors, capacitors, transistors, and chips onto a printed circuit board, and take home a simple analog synth.

Level: Beginner/Refresher • Length: 2 Hours, 1 Session • Fee (with Materials included): $65 • Class Size Limit: 4 • Prerequisite(s): General Orientation and Safety

Introduction to Robotics: Build a Bristlebot

Intended for people with little or no experience with electronics or robotics. Learn how to build a circuit to drive a pair of vibrating motors mounted on your own bristlebot made of craft sticks and toothbrushes. Participants will make a small bristlebot to take home.

Level: Beginner/Refresher • Fee (with Materials included): $50 • Class Size Limit: 6

Jewelry Making 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 • Fee (with Materials included): $50 • Class Size Limit: 6 • Prerequisite(s): General Orientation and Safety • Clothing Restrictions: Closed-toe shoes recommended

Introduction to Soldering: Ring Making

The class will introduce soldering via the making of a ring band with a bezel-set stone. Individuals will be introduced to the following skills: torch safety, torch usage, jewelry fabrication, annealing, soldering, pickle, grades of solder. On the second day you will choose a stone, create a bezel for the stone, and set the bezel onto your ring. We will be using brass and copper for this exercise which will be included in the class fee.

Level: Intermediate • Length: 4 Hours, 2 Sessions • Fee (with Materials included): $150 • Class Size Limit: 4 • Prerequisite(s): General Orientation and Safety • Clothing Restrictions: Closed-toe shoes recommended

Jewelry Design Embellishment

Participants will learn to make embellishments to enhance their jewelry designs. The class will cover a variety of means for creating accent pieces for their work, ranging from making sphere granules to be arranged and attached to their work and how to use a dapping set for dome shapes. There will be a demonstration on twisted wire along with examples of how it can be utilized in jewelry making.

*Skills learned in the design embellishment class will be applied to a more advanced class, for the making of a jewelry piece designed by the participant in the form of a brooch/pin, ring, bolo tie or necklace.

Level: Intermediate • Length: 3 Hours • Fee (with Materials included): $100 • Class Size Limit: 4 • Prerequisite(s): General Orientation and Safety • Clothing Restrictions: Closed-toe shoes recommended

Textiles

Quilting: Make a Quilt You Love in 16 Hours

Pick up all the skills you need to make your first quilt a success or improve your overall quilting skills. Even if you have never worked with fabric or sewing before, this course can teach you the basics and offer you the opportunity to learn how to use commercial equipment, including the long-arm quilting machine. The art of quilt-making is alive and well today and offers many business opportunities in this multi-billion-dollar industry. Quilt-making has also become a serious platform for self-expression; particularly with quilters using their art as a platform in advocating for human rights.

Sign up today for an 8-week immersive course that will equip you with all the skills you need to complete your first quilt; and, very possibly, meet your new tribe.

Level: Beginner • Length: 2 Hours, 8 Sessions • Fee: $200 • Class Size Limit: 15 • Prerequisite(s): General Orientation and Safety • Clothing Restrictions: Closed-toe shoes recommended