Wood & Metal Workshops 

Welcome to the Wood and Metal Workshop information page! 

This resource will direct you toward helpful information and give guidance on how to access the Wood and Metal workshop facilities and gain technical support.   

Feel free to pop past the workshop and we can help get you started 🙂 

 

What we offer    

Wood Workshop Inductions– These are offered on Wednesday morning and are available to all year groups.  Please sign your full name on the Wood Workshop noticeboard (outside Wood Workshop 1) to gain a place.  Before attending, please read through the: 

 Student Declaration and complete the Quiz at the end. 

  

Bench Space Access- After successfully completing a Wood Workshop Induction you may book a timeslot to secure bench space.  Please sign your name on the ‘’Bench Space Booking sheet’ on the Wood Workshop notice board (outside Wood Workshop 1). You may use the machines and tools you have had training on and will have a technician on hand for further support where required. You are welcome to drop in and use the space if the workshop is free at that time.  

  

Consultation- As always, Jeff and Tom are happy to discuss your ideas and give advice and strategies to support your work during workshop hours.   

This academic year, you are no longer required to book a time slot online, but instead we ask that you send an email to tom.williams@reading.ac.uk and together we can agree a convenient time.    

Equally, if you choose to drop by, we suggest you do so in the morning as the workshops are generally quieter then.  

These sessions give you an opportunity to discuss ideas before going ahead and making them.  We can give guidance on suitable materials and processes to use and help you get started.   

  

Metal Workshop Skills Training- Learn how to manipulate metal through a variety of means.  Be advised that due to the potential hazardous tools being used in this space, sessions and access will be offered on a one-to-one basis and because of this priority will be given to finalists.  Please email tom.williams@reading.ac.uk for more details on access and use.    

  

Think about your requirements    

Before attending the wood workshop in person please consider the following:    

What it is that you want to do/make? (A sketch with dimensions is a good place to start)    

Have you undertaken these processes before?    

Do you have the relevant workshop training?    

Studio tool kits    

Each studio has its own tool kit to use and look after.  Please remember that you must be fully trained to use the drill that is included in the toolbox.  As incorrect use could cause serious harm to yourself or others.  Make sure that you return tools back to the box so that others can use them.  Items will not be replaced if lost, so it is the duty of the studio group to look after your studio toolkit.    

Borrowing tools    

Tools can be signed out between 09:15 – 12:30 and 14:10 – 16:00 but must be returned by 16:45 the same day.  Please note that tools can only be hired out if training has been completed on that item.   

Material purchase     

Materials can be purchased using the Online Art Shop.  If you are unsure of what you need, please talk with Tom and Jeff in the workshop.   

Large material collection (wood/sheet material):      

You can collect your material the following day between 09:15 – 9:30 and 12:45 – 13:00.    

Link to- Online Art Shop    

If you would like any other information about the Online Shop, please contact:    

Mildred Burchett-Vass  g.m.e.burchett-vass@reading.ac.uk    

    

Consumables and reusing materials    

There are several consumables available in the workshop, such as: screws, nails, nuts and bolts and glass paper.  Please use the REUSE YOUR SCREWS box to reduce our waste along with returning unwarded elements.   

There is also a selection of wood offcuts that you are welcome to use. You can find these in the storage containers alongside the chop saw in Wood Workshop 2. Please put any useful unwanted excess material back into these bins for others to use.  Any pine/ply offcuts that are too small to be useful should be placed in the wood recycling bin (no painted wood or MDF).    

Working together    

The technical team look forward to helping you bring your ideas to life.  Please be patient and considerate with staff and help us by vacuuming up dust, clearing your waste/spare material and placing tools back in the correct storage location when you are finished with them.    

It is important to work safely in the workshops, so please feel free to ask questions if you are unsure before, during or after practical processes.    

We look forward to seeing you all soon!    

Kind regards,    

Tom and Jeff