Do you invite people to your shop?

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kovalcik

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Barrington, NH
I would like to offer to let members in my turning group who are just starting out or don't have their shop set up to come in and use some of my tools and equipment (supervised by me). I have invited a lot of people into my shop before, but they were friends or children of friends where these are more aquaintences.

I want to promote interest in turning, but I am a little leery in this overly litigious society.

So I wanted to get your opinions. Do you invite people over to your shop and let them use your equipment? Do you have them sign any kind of waiver? What are your thoughts?

Thanks
 
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You could have some type of wavier to CYA. Then designate an area were only the "student" is allowed by the lathe and the others have to stay a safe distant back.. Maksure to provide eye protection and respirator (if using resin).
 
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My shop is also part of a business. No one uses my tools but me and people who I know for a fact know how to use them without my supervision.

It only takes one person to land you in the poor house. Sad world we live in these days. people are allowed to come in but just to talk, watch, and share a carbonated drink.
 
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I'm always happy to help people get started.

The question I have is when to draw the line if they've been coming around for awhile and seem content to use your tools rather than buying their own.
 
Now that my shop is back in my house no. Mainly because of insurance and township regulations. In my old shop I had a conference room where I can meet with clients. It was also free for anybody to stop over. But not to use the equipment again because of insurance. When the shop is a business a lot more items come into consideration.
 
If they are friends looking to make a few items, I give them a lesson on how to use the tools. If they are a "student" and paying for a lesson, then a waiver is required. Eye protection is a must have and the filtration system is on.
 
Kevin
Also add ear protection. I brought a box to disposal boxes of eye, ear protection (Uline). If OSHA comes into your shop they look for that. I had OSHA at my shop twice because I was doing work for the government.
 
While someone would probably not sue you, unfortunately, their insurance company would. Most insurance policies have clauses that read something like, "The insured must cooperate fully in any legal action the insurance company takes to recover losses". Ie if you are hurt, you must help your insurance company sue anyone else. If you don't they will not pay you.

After-thought; AAW has insurance available to members that includes liability insurance. Originally they included that in your membership, but recently they started requiring clubs to pay for the policy.
 
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I've only "invited" one person. My pastor wants a pen for his Dad so I offered to let him make it. Hasn't happened but its a bit from Christmas. But anyone is welcome.
 
I let friends use my workshop, but not the chemical room. guess it comes down to obvious danger.. spinning machines are obvious.. if you put your finger in it its going to hurt.. acids and plating chemicals the dangers are not so obvious with vapours and splashes etc or being careless with not wearing gloves overalls etc..

Guess it just comes down to common sense.. dont let them do anything which is overly risky without experiance and adequate training.

Perhaps for your own piece of mind you could make them do a prerequisite course before being allowed to use your machines.. like watching a lathe & milling dvd series on the sibject which teaches them how to use the machines properly and safely. then all you should need to do is supervise them to ensure they are putting the theory into practice

Just my two cents
 
My door is open to anyone that wants to stop by. I have people over all the time. They can do pretty much whatever they want. Whether it's turning or casting. Hell, I had a buddy pen maker over a few weeks ago that wanted to learn kitless. He accidentally snapped my band saw blade. He replaced it. No harm no foul.

I can understand Alan's reasoning bc it was a stand alone building that was a place of business and had to adhere to a certain standard. If you're talking about our shops at home that's not a "registered" place of business than I don't see the need for waivers etc. Do you make that same person sign a waiver for entering the house to use the restroom? They could slip and fall...what then? You could offer then a sandwich and soda...what if they choked? Do you need a waiver for that to? If you decided to give lessons to a group of people (boy scouts for example) Yes, I would have waivers signed bc you're taking responsibility for their actions/safety.
 
tommy2tone said:
You could have some type of wavier to CYA. Then designate an area were only the "student" is allowed by the lathe and the others have to stay a safe distant back.. Maksure to provide eye protection and respirator (if using resin).
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Respiratory protection is mandatory any and all the time. What do you think your wait time will be for a lung transplant? You can't do woodwork on portable oxygen. If you're going to attempt teaching...do it right.
 
Brooks803 said:
Hell, I had a buddy pen maker over a few weeks ago that wanted to learn kitless. He accidentally snapped my band saw blade. He replaced it. No harm no foul.
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:angel:


My door is always open when I have time to be out in the shop. Even have a 2nd lathe ready to go for anyone who wants to come by and make some saw dust.
 
I've not been faced with this decision, but Probably NOT, except for a known experienced woodworker or turner. This world has become too litigation conscious. Names I see on here, and whose posts I read, and whose work I'm jealous of (Brooks803) Jonathon I still envy you, is welcome any time!
 
joefyffe said:
I've not been faced with this decision, but Probably NOT, except for a known experienced woodworker or turner. This world has become too litigation conscious. Names I see on here, and whose posts I read, and whose work I'm jealous of (Brooks803) Jonathon I still envy you, is welcome any time!
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As are you Joe anytime you're in the area :bananen_smilies046:
 
My little shop is not open to the general public, but on occasion I do invite an individual who I think is responsible. Several reasons for this, #1 county codes do not allow a business in my subdivision. People coming and going might constitute a business. #2 my shop is so small, barely room for me. #3 who in the world in his right mind would want to come into this dirty dusty unkept place.

Ben
 
Thanks for all the insights. My biggest concern was since I don't know some of these people well, I don't know what there shop experience is. One guy has come over since I posted and he is experienced enough to know not to touch the spinny part of the table saw. All went well and I am looking forward to spending more shop time with him.

Ben, regarding #3:
#3 who in the world in his right mind would want to come into this dirty dusty unkept place.

Put me on that list. It makes me feel so much better about my messy shop to see other shops in a similar state :biggrin:
 
I sometimes have people come by to look at rings. When they pick out the type and size they want, if the schedule allows, I ask if they would like to see me make it. They usually freak out pretty badly at the prospect of seeing their custom ring being made in front of their eyes the same day they order. It's worth the effort, as those people will tell all their friends.
 
I've had one person ask to see the shop. I agreed, nothing was turned on.

I am not a pro, I make for craft shows I do. It was very uncomfortable for me. I would nog reoeat it by choice.

I kept thinking " There is nothing in a woodshop that cannot badly hurt you." My shop, my risk. No need to expand that.
 
A member of my church is coming over Thursday, he has been asking for 2 years to see how to make a pen. I finally have the time as I am not watching my 3 year old grandson 2 or 3 days a week so now I have a little extra time. He has a metal lathe so I will turn him on the that forum and show him around IAP and get him signed up. the 4 oldest grandkids 12,11(twins) and 10 can all make a Sierra by them selves with me watching and have made many. Jerry will the first outsider to visit. Now I know nothing about what is needed and how to make a pen on a Metal Lathe so it will be up to you to help him. He will make a pen or two Thursday. My 10 year old Granddaughter has to make 5 of Lazier Lines ying/yang pens for her Karate instructors to give when she gets her Black Belt in December.
 
btboone said:
I sometimes have people come by to look at rings. When they pick out the type and size they want, if the schedule allows, I ask if they would like to see me make it. They usually freak out pretty badly at the prospect of seeing their custom ring being made in front of their eyes the same day they order. It's worth the effort, as those people will tell all their friends.
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Bruce,

You don't worry about them saying "You did that so fast, so why does it cost so much?"? :wink:

You can always hand them a titanium rod and a hand drill :tongue:
 
I know that my turning club carries insurance for when club members go to others shops.
Pretty sure its through the AAW that they get it.
this way when we go to turning days or shop visits if anything happens the person whose house it is is covered.

I would let only certain people turn in my shop however. not sure I would let just anyone off the street come in and turn.
 
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My problem is keeping people out - mainly my kids. One is in high school and the other is in college. Everytime they have a project, they end up in my shop. I am always looking for things that are not where they are supposed to be, learning about broken drill bits when I need them, or discovering that all the epoxy is gone, etc. Good news is that my kids can saw, turn, drill, solder, etc on their own and are actually pretty good at it. I am amazed at how many of their friends and classmates have never even used cordless screwdriver or cut anything on a bandsaw. My son was amazed when his college lab professor in electrical engineering asked the class how many had ever soldered before and he was the only one to raise his hand! Kids dont get enough shop time anymore.
 
CatSmasher said:
...My son was amazed when his college lab professor in electrical engineering asked the class how many had ever soldered before and he was the only one to raise his hand! Kids dont get enough shop time anymore.
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My EE-Digital Design professor didn't know how to solder, or the 1st thing about analog electronics. We'd go round and round all the time about things. More than once I had to prove points to him. He was great in the digital world; but sucked in analog which is what digital is built upon.
 
I have to say that the answer is not any longer for neighbors or NBF's:rolleyes:. The members of the local chapter IAP more than likely, I would let come by as a couple have invited me but life seems to keep getting in the way. To many renters now and to many thugs, mugs and slugs!

One new neighbor has been by 3 times to tell me that he has overheard somebody visiting a guy he is the guardian for and lives at his place. To tell me that they are planning to either home invade me, or steal the ladders and scaffolding behind the shop.

I have told him not to come back and just call the sheriff about it. Told him I will consider him a trespasser next time he is on my property. And the new security lights on the shop are for a clean shot in the dark!

He wants to get into my shop to see what I have. A long time neighbor next to him said he wants to become my friend so he can borrow tools.

His daughter is the poster girl for "who's your daddy", and always fighting with the boy friend of the day. So the sheriff is their a lot.

I also no longer do repairs for neighbors, as it turned into every time they break something they think I should fix it because they paid for a repair 5 years ago.

Had one that would come by when ever he need a nuts,bolts or screws. His own private hardware store, never offered to pay for anything.

It is amazing how I happen to be out of that sized widget at the time they show up!

Yes the world has become a very different place today.
:clown:
 
I have people come by to visit and have shown several people how to turn. I am the person who fixes all of my friend's broken items. I like doing it and they are all grateful and hang out with me while I am fixing them.
 
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