Frequently Asked Questions
1. Facility
a. What is the wood shop?
The Shop is an air-conditioned wood working facility within the On Top of the World, Ocala, retirement community for use by Wood Shop Club members only.
b. Where is the shop located?
The Shop is in the west end of the Hobby Building on SW 98th Street.
c. When is the Shop open?
The Wood Shop is open to members from 6 AM to 10 PM, 7 days a week. If the shop is going to be unavailable for some reason, members will be notified via the Club’s group email list.
d. What is in the Wood Shop?
Equipment in the Shop includes several worktables, stationary power equipment, small hand tools, and most everything one needs to perform woodworking. Most stationary tools are equipped with dust collection. For more specific information on what is in the Shop, send us an inquiry using the “Contact Us” page.
e. Can I bring my pet into the Shop?
Pets are not allowed. Service animals are allowed in the Shop.
2. How is the Wood Shop Club governed or managed?
The Wood Shop is managed by a Board of Directors, consisting of a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and 3 Members At Large. Elections are held during the Annual Member’s Meeting, usually held in early December. The Board meets several times a year, usually monthly, to discuss equipment purchases, maintenance, issues, and other items pertinent to the operation of the shop that may arise. All Board meetings are open to members. See the By-Laws for more information.
3. How do I become a member? See the information on the "Join" page.
4. Can I get a tour prior to joining? Yes! Fill out the "Contact Us" form and a Wood Shop officer will contact you - we would be happy to give you a tour and answer any questions you may have about the Shop.
5. Can I bring in a guest with me to work on a project? Yes, guests are welcome. Any guest must fill out a "Guest Agreement" waiver, located in the sign-in book at the sign-in kiosk, to be present in the shop. The guest is under the supervision of the member and cannot operate equipment or use the hand tools. It is up to the member who brings a guest to ensure the guest follows proper safety precautions.
6. Can I buy materials at the Shop? There are no materials or tools for sale in the Shop. Materials for the machines, except the scroll saw, are supplied by the Shop. This includes bandsaw blades, table saw blades, belt sanding disks, router bits, etc. Members are responsible for providing items like hand sander sandpaper, glues, finishes, and hardware. See Shop Rule 13.
7. Can I bring in my own tools? Yes. You may bring your own saw blades, power tools, turning tools or hand tools. Your tools are your responsibility.
8. Can I borrow tools from the Shop? Yes, many tools can be borrowed by members. Any tool removed from the shop must be signed out and back in using the Tool Sign-Out Form located in the sign-in binder at the sign-in kiosk.
9. Can I store my projects there? There is limited space for storage of projects and materials in the Shop. Shop Rule 9 governs such storage. Generally, store and group materials to cause minimal interference with the activities of other members. Only projects actively being worked on can be left in the shop for a limited time, typically, less than one week.
10. Is there a finishing room with a spray booth? No. Because of the fumes, no aerosols are to be used in the shop. See Shop Rule 10.
11. Can I use the Shop to make items I sell for profit? Yes, you can sell items you make in the Shop as long as this activity does not prevent other members from using the equipment.
12. I don't know much about woodworking. Can I receive training? There are links to training videos and YouTube videos on our website (see the Education page) If you wish to receive specific training on a machine, technique or project, you can ask other members or a Board member. They can give you a lead on who might be willing to tutor you. There is also a lending library of DVD's available. See the Wood Shop Education Policy for more info.
13. I am interested in teaching a class or workshop. Can I do that? Absolutely. We welcome members who are willing to share their knowledge with others. See the Shop Education Policy and contact the Chairman of the Education Committee or a Board member and let them know what you want to do.
14. Do you accept Donations? We do accept donations of wood or tools on occasion. There is a release form to be signed for any significant donations made. Contact a Board member if you have donations to make. We generally do not purchase anything from individuals.
15. What do I do if I see something that is not safe or somebody abusing the equipment? Unsafe acts should be immediately addressed. Be polite, introduce yourself, explain why the act is unsafe, and demonstrate an alternative method. In any case you can always notify a Board member. Make a note of the activity, including the date, time and place it in the Drop Box located in the sign-in kiosk.
16. If there is a medical emergency, what do I do? There is a first aid kit in the Shop. If the emergency is something more than a minor cut, you should call 911 using the emergency call box in the Shop. Both are located next to the Shop's side door.
17. Do I have to do any cleaning of the shop? Yes, all members are responsible for cleaning the area and equipment where they have worked. Refer to Shop Rule 12. It is expected that you clean up behind yourself and leave everywhere you worked clean. The shop is thoroughly cleaned weekly as well, and you may be asked to assist in this effort.
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a. What is the wood shop?
The Shop is an air-conditioned wood working facility within the On Top of the World, Ocala, retirement community for use by Wood Shop Club members only.
b. Where is the shop located?
The Shop is in the west end of the Hobby Building on SW 98th Street.
c. When is the Shop open?
The Wood Shop is open to members from 6 AM to 10 PM, 7 days a week. If the shop is going to be unavailable for some reason, members will be notified via the Club’s group email list.
d. What is in the Wood Shop?
Equipment in the Shop includes several worktables, stationary power equipment, small hand tools, and most everything one needs to perform woodworking. Most stationary tools are equipped with dust collection. For more specific information on what is in the Shop, send us an inquiry using the “Contact Us” page.
e. Can I bring my pet into the Shop?
Pets are not allowed. Service animals are allowed in the Shop.
2. How is the Wood Shop Club governed or managed?
The Wood Shop is managed by a Board of Directors, consisting of a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and 3 Members At Large. Elections are held during the Annual Member’s Meeting, usually held in early December. The Board meets several times a year, usually monthly, to discuss equipment purchases, maintenance, issues, and other items pertinent to the operation of the shop that may arise. All Board meetings are open to members. See the By-Laws for more information.
3. How do I become a member? See the information on the "Join" page.
4. Can I get a tour prior to joining? Yes! Fill out the "Contact Us" form and a Wood Shop officer will contact you - we would be happy to give you a tour and answer any questions you may have about the Shop.
5. Can I bring in a guest with me to work on a project? Yes, guests are welcome. Any guest must fill out a "Guest Agreement" waiver, located in the sign-in book at the sign-in kiosk, to be present in the shop. The guest is under the supervision of the member and cannot operate equipment or use the hand tools. It is up to the member who brings a guest to ensure the guest follows proper safety precautions.
6. Can I buy materials at the Shop? There are no materials or tools for sale in the Shop. Materials for the machines, except the scroll saw, are supplied by the Shop. This includes bandsaw blades, table saw blades, belt sanding disks, router bits, etc. Members are responsible for providing items like hand sander sandpaper, glues, finishes, and hardware. See Shop Rule 13.
7. Can I bring in my own tools? Yes. You may bring your own saw blades, power tools, turning tools or hand tools. Your tools are your responsibility.
8. Can I borrow tools from the Shop? Yes, many tools can be borrowed by members. Any tool removed from the shop must be signed out and back in using the Tool Sign-Out Form located in the sign-in binder at the sign-in kiosk.
9. Can I store my projects there? There is limited space for storage of projects and materials in the Shop. Shop Rule 9 governs such storage. Generally, store and group materials to cause minimal interference with the activities of other members. Only projects actively being worked on can be left in the shop for a limited time, typically, less than one week.
10. Is there a finishing room with a spray booth? No. Because of the fumes, no aerosols are to be used in the shop. See Shop Rule 10.
11. Can I use the Shop to make items I sell for profit? Yes, you can sell items you make in the Shop as long as this activity does not prevent other members from using the equipment.
12. I don't know much about woodworking. Can I receive training? There are links to training videos and YouTube videos on our website (see the Education page) If you wish to receive specific training on a machine, technique or project, you can ask other members or a Board member. They can give you a lead on who might be willing to tutor you. There is also a lending library of DVD's available. See the Wood Shop Education Policy for more info.
13. I am interested in teaching a class or workshop. Can I do that? Absolutely. We welcome members who are willing to share their knowledge with others. See the Shop Education Policy and contact the Chairman of the Education Committee or a Board member and let them know what you want to do.
14. Do you accept Donations? We do accept donations of wood or tools on occasion. There is a release form to be signed for any significant donations made. Contact a Board member if you have donations to make. We generally do not purchase anything from individuals.
15. What do I do if I see something that is not safe or somebody abusing the equipment? Unsafe acts should be immediately addressed. Be polite, introduce yourself, explain why the act is unsafe, and demonstrate an alternative method. In any case you can always notify a Board member. Make a note of the activity, including the date, time and place it in the Drop Box located in the sign-in kiosk.
16. If there is a medical emergency, what do I do? There is a first aid kit in the Shop. If the emergency is something more than a minor cut, you should call 911 using the emergency call box in the Shop. Both are located next to the Shop's side door.
17. Do I have to do any cleaning of the shop? Yes, all members are responsible for cleaning the area and equipment where they have worked. Refer to Shop Rule 12. It is expected that you clean up behind yourself and leave everywhere you worked clean. The shop is thoroughly cleaned weekly as well, and you may be asked to assist in this effort.
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