The Village Workshop Frequently Asked Questions.

Do I have to be a member to visit or use the facilities?

No. You can come have a free tour, sit and have a coffee at The Workshop Cafe, take a class, or attend meet-ups and events.

What type of tools and equipment does The Village Workshop have?

Wellllll... hand tools, power tools, complete metal shop, complete wood shop, electronics lab, sand blasting, powder coating, 3D printer, embroidery machine, industrial sewing machines, long arm quilter, laser engraver, vinyl cutter, vehicle lift, software pro, and much more.

Are kids welcome?

Absolutely. Children under 16yrs must be supervised by an adult while in the shop areas. Teens 16+ can join with full membership privileges.

Do you have to be a member to take a class?

No, members and non-members may take any classes The Village Workshop has to offer.

I’ve been using this tool for years. Do I really need to take your safety class?

Yes, in order to work independently in our shops you are required to take the applicable safety class.

What will I learn in a safety class?

For many tools, you’ll learn the basic steps for preparing the tool and making basic use of the tool. There are some tools that require design files or background knowledge–like the laser cutter, ShopBot, and CNC mill–and in those cases the safety class will not necessarily go into the details of how those files are created, or basic wood or metalworking skills.

I have a club that meets in the area–can we meet at The VILLAGE WORKSHOP?

Definitely! The Cafe area can accommodate just about any meeting or event. Just let us know and we will be happy to host your meeting or event.

Can I reserve time on a machine?

Yes, and we encourage you to. Simply call our front desk and make a reservation (248) 667-7157. Some machines are popular and have a time limit on the reservation, but there are other machines where having a reservation also makes sense, like the CNC router where it takes a while to set up a job. A reservation takes the time pressure off and lets other members know the machine will be in use. In addition we encourage you to call before your visit to make sure the machine is not already being reserved by another member or a class.

What materials can not be used?

First, there are materials that are not allowed in The VILLAGE WORKSHOP at all because of general safety. Any explosive, toxic, or otherwise harmful materials are not allowed. Likewise, items that are dangerous in construction, for example an un-certified tank under pressure, are not allowed. Second, each machine may have a list of materials that are acceptable or not. For example, galvanized steel cannot be cut on the plasma cutter or etched on the laser engraver because of the toxic fumes, and we cannot cut PVC plastic on the laser engraver because of the caustic fumes. These limitations are discussed in the safety class for each tool, but please also feel free to ask a staff member if you have a question.

Is there anyone who can help me with design, fabrication, marketing, etc.?

The VILLAGE WORKSHOP not only provides tools and space for creating, we’re delighted to help our members use the machines to realize their goals. If you are interested in finding someone to help with design, fabrication, and other consulting, we will be happy to help.

Can projects be left at The Village Workshop?

Yes, If you are actively working on a project and need to leave it at TVW. Please make arrangements at the front desk. Also, for your convenience, we have storage lockers available for a monthly fee.

Can members bring a non-member in to assist them?

Yes. Non-members can assist you with lifting and holding things steady, however, non-members are not allowed to use any of the machinery.