Can the calendar booking template be updated to reflect the Woodshop in Arch 2 please. We now have place for at least 6 people to work simultaneously, with more space coming soon, and I think this should be reflected in the calendar, thoughts?
Below is a proposal for the new booking entry. The only limitation we have is bench space, so I figure booking benches is more appropriate than booking specific machines? @woodtechs, does this work for the rest of you?
Arch 2:
Woodshop:
Bench 1 (space for two people):
Bench 2 (space for two people):
Bench 3 (space for two people):
Lathe:
I don’t see the need to separate the arches anymore in the listing - the woodshop is the woodshop… let me know any comments?
Not sure people need/want to book a specific bench - do they even have numbers, may make sense just to have a list of names like happens on the main table? lets try this tho and see how it goes…
Obviously its up to the wood techs to run it as they best see fit but seems like people have used the tablesaw for an 1+ hour at a time. Should certain tools still be booked to keep folks from traveling large distances to find the tool in use?
Actually just kidding, Kyle brought up a good point, wouldn’t it make more sense to book the big tools vs. generic benches… like if someone is there using the planer for 3 hrs that is more important to know than which bench they think they want… ie. treat the benches like the main table in the clean room
And the ‘Arch2 other’ is maybe not a contemporary arrangement anymore.
@Kyle people have been adding names of tools when they were coming to the space like that. Might be easier when dealt with on individual basis? Keeps it simpler…
There is still a lot of space in Arch 2 overall, I figure Arch 2 Other would be like I will be using the floorspace for something? I dunno, maybe its too much of a special case…
All valid responses. The reason I went for benches was purely for convenience. We have 6 spaces that people can book (We can have more people in the space if you don’t need a bench, but that’s more of a just show up and work around those that have booked situation).
I wouldn’t want to book the table saw and come down and realise their isn’t space for me to work after finishing my cuts for example. Perhaps the only area I’d say that could be split out would be the tracksaw table because that’s something requiring plenty of space and can also be used for large glueups.
The benches aren’t numbered, so could just be:
Bench (Space for two people):
Bench (Space for two people):
Bench (Space for two people):
Tracksaw Table:
Lathe:
CNC:
We have different height benches, but I don’t want to go so far as to make people book specific height benches. We’re a community space, so if you come down and you’re short/tall, you could always speak to someone and ask them if they don’t mind changing benches, and because the conversation is flowing, perhaps even collaborate on an exciting project together
Perhaps it’s a case of experimentation until we find out what is the best way to book into the Woodshop. Should we even have bookings, or should we just be accommodating as members and share the shop, regardless of how busy it is. I don’t know how members will use the space in the future, but for now, bench space is gold
Ok cool - seems like I would want to know if someone was using the table saw or planer though? 1. its noisy, 2. maybe I want to stick a board through while someone is on it? I dunno… current plan:
“Should we even have bookings, or should we just be accommodating as members and share the shop, regardless of how busy it is”
Absolutely , bookings were brought in for Covid I have quite a few arguments for not having a booking system (which I will be bringing up at the next members meeting)
With a few exceptions ( Cnc, laser cutter and 3d printer)
Working around each other has never been a big issue as far as I have seen - but non shutter members knowing when the space is open has always been, so if we can find a better way around that, all good!
The system is in place mainly so we have people that can host others that do not have shutter access yet.
Most people get their shutter access fairly quickly but it is still an important thing to have.
A lot of new members have mentioned that the booking system has been very helpful to them to know when they can come and what machines are booked at what time.
Apart from that, there is also the social aspect. We are a community workshop and a lot of the members come here to meet other and enjoy working with other people around or just come to have a chat.
Knowing that the Space is open and others are there might encourage some people to come and join in.
Safety is also an aspect that speaks for the booking system. Now that it’s getting dark even earlier and the lights outside the Space are not functioning it’s good to know if someone else is there or not.
The same applies for the lone working rule. If we had no booking system members might turn up here to work on a certain project only to find out that they can’t because they are the only person at the space at that time. This might encourage some to use the tools regardless which comes with a huge health risk.
We are not yet back a the same level of activity at the Space that would really make the booking system redundant because it’s always open. but for the time being it still is a very helpful tool that benefits a lot of members. Especially those that don’t have as much access to all tools as some of the long standing members.
That’s true and proved helpful, it’s still helpful when it comes to busy tools and events even after pandemic, but I do agree that overdoing it is unnecessary.
I completely agree the booking system has merit, especially for new members and non members. I wonder if this isn’t a discussion we should have at a members meeting like Mark has said?
As a hypothetical for now, what if the booking system was removed for space bookings (just the woodshop for example, having it for the laser and CNC is completely invaluable), and members who needed to do long spells on the tablesaw/planer/drum sander etc., instead of booking the machine/s, they wrote a post on discourse saying they need to use the machines for X purpose and they’ll most likely be on and off them for most of the day. That way, if anyone wants to learn something or is intrigued by what’s being done, they can come down to the space and learn? One of the hardest things is getting members safely inducted and taught on bigger tools without them having any experience. Equally so, if you don’t post and someone else does, they would get priority.
To @joeatkin2’s point, I do like the idea of people needing to get involved to get shutter access, yes there are barriers to this, but like @Geraetefreund said on another post, we’re selling ourselves as a welcoming community orientated space where involvement is a key value of ours.
I really think this is a good point to spend a bit of time on at the next members meeting, especially with the @welcome team present.
