ArchSHOP
Hands-on Fabrication
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Solidify your ideas.
The Shop is a dynamic space in which Carnegie Mellon Architecture students access a wide variety of tools, equipment, and expert guidance. Shop staff teach in collaboration with craft-centered courses, helping students to practice iterative design as they create expressive models, prototypes and functional objects in a safe and supportive environment.
Introductory shop training is integrated with CM-A's core undergraduate curriculum. The shop allows for explorations of tools, materials and fabrication methods that inform students' expanding practices.
Access
The Architecture Shop will be accessible to CM-A students, faculty and staff only during regular posted hours. Keycard access to the space and use of its resources is contingent on completion of EHS online safety training and acceptance of the most current version of the ArchShop Access & Use Agreement.
Staff
Shop Director
ArchShop Assistant Director
Questions about the ArchShop? Have a particular project or tool you need help with? Schedule a meeting with our expert staff:
SCHEDULE A MEETING WITH JON HOLMES (Director)
SCHEDULE A MEETING WITH CLARA ALLISON (Assistant Director)
Shop Monitors
Interested in becoming an ArchSHOP monitor? Read our Monitor Policy page for more information.
If that doesn’t put you off, contact the Shop Director.
Equipment
The shop is equipped with many hand and battery powered tools available for use and checkout— visit us or speak with staff to inquire about inventory.
Table Saws: (2) Sawstops (CB 33230)
Bandsaws: Northfield 20” Laguna LT16-HD Powermatic 143 14” Variable Speed
Drilling and Milling: Drill press — Clausing 1767 Horizontal mortiser — Invicta FI-15 Vertical mill — J-head Bridgeport
Surface planer: Extrema EP-20S/1
Radial arm saw: Rockwell 18-AS
Sliding Compound Miter Saw: Bosch GCM12SD | Sanders: Combination Belt/disc Sander — Powermatic 31A Combination Belt/disc Sander — Jet J-4002 Disc Sander — Rockwell 31-426 Spindle Sander — Bridgewood OVS-10 Horizontal belt sander — Vega EBS6-1
Jointer: Northfield 12-MD
Lathes: Wood lathe — Powermatic 3520B Machine lathe South Bend CLK8129C
Other Scroll Saw — Hegner Multimax Variable Speed Vacuum Table Steam Box
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Training
Open Machine Trainings
In addition to the semester-long “Shop Skills” course offered in the fall, the shop offers a rotation of individual machine trainings called “Open Machine Trainings”. These are introductions to machine use and safety- not comprehensive master classes. For further training or individual machine instruction please make an appointment with the shop Director or Assistant Director.
Each 50-minute class is required for any shop user that wants to use that particular machine. Check the Shop Calendar to see our schedule of trainings
Safe use and basic operation of all three bandsaws in the shop
Safe use and basic operation of vertical belt, horizontal belt, disc, and spindle sanders
Safe use and basic operation of radial arm saw and sliding compound miter saw
Safe use and basic operation of jointer and surface planer
Introduction to safe use and basic operation of Table Saw to rip cut
Introduction to safe use and basic operation of Table Saw to crosscut (Required: Completion of Table Saw 1 training)
Safe use and basic operation of drill press and horizontal mortiser, introduction to milling
Rules & Safety
Rules
Know these rules before working in the ArchSHOP.
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ArchSHOP exists for the use of qualified students and faculty of Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Architecture. Access for others may be possible at the sole discretion of the Shop Director.
Complete the EH&S Student Shop Training module (near bottom of linked page) before using or spending time in ArchSHOP.
Never use machinery or perform other hazardous work unless an ArchSHOP staff member is present.
Never work alone. Work buddies/partners must also have completed the EH&S Student Shop Safety training and observe all ArchSHOP rules.
Machine-specific training is required before using any given piece of power equipment.
Never work beyond your skill level. Seek help when unsure.
Always wear proper PPE (Personal Protective Equipment). Safety glasses are required when near any operating ArchSHOP power equipment.
Shoes must cover your feet completely, up to the ankle. Bare feet, sandals, flip-flops, and open-toed shoes are not permitted.
Shorts and cuffed pants are prohibited when welding or working with hazardous chemicals, flame, sparks, or slag.
Gloves are prohibited when working with rotating equipment. Check with shop staff before using gloves of any kind.
Contact EH&S before doing any work involving hazardous vapors, sprays, smokes, gasses, fog, fumes, or mists that might require use of a respirator.
Equipment guards and shields must be in place unless shop staff makes an explicit exception and provides special training and assistance as necessary.
Follow proper shut-down procedures before repairing equipment or changing components. Consult shop staff before proceeding.
Inspect equipment before use. If it doesn’t appear to be working properly then alert staff, remove equipment from service, and tag it so that it won’t be used by others.
Secure loose clothing and hair, and remove jewelry before using machinery. If your hair is long enough to be tied back, then tie it back.
Know locations of all safety equipment — emergency shutoff switches, fire extinguishers, eyewash, and first-aid kit.
Keep all exit routes clear and emergency equipment accessible.
Food and drinks not permitted on or near ArchSHOP equipment.
Compressed air nozzles can be dangerous. Wear safety glasses. Do not bring nozzle tip into contact with skin. Keep air stream away from eyes, ears, nose, and mouth. Exercise caution around liquids and solid particles that may be lifted into the air and thrown.
If you see someone doing something unsafe, bring it to their attention as soon as it’s safe to do so. Report to shop staff if the problem persists.
Correct unsafe conditions or bring them to the attention of shop staff immediately.
Shop staff have the authority to limit or prohibit access to the shop or use of specific tools. If necessary, offenders may be asked to leave. Use of equipment is subject to staff assessment of users’ abilities.
Headphones are prohibited on the main shop floor (CFA A9), in the metal shop (CFA A17), and when operating any powered tools or equipment regardless of location.
Horseplay is prohibited in all areas of the shop.
Do not leave operating machinery unattended.
Do not work when impaired by alcohol or drugs of any kind. Notify shop supervisor before working if you’re taking prescription or OTC drugs that could impair your abilities.
Notify shop staff if you have any disability, physical limitation, or health issue that may impair your ability to work safely so that accommodations can be made.
Report all injuries and near-misses to shop staff.
Know and follow all ArchSHOP rules.
Keep your work area clean, and return tools to proper storage before leaving.
Know where you are. ArchShop’s main work area is in CFA A9.
THESE RULES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.
In an emergency, call CMU Security: (412) 268-2323
Safety & Training Resources
Carnegie Mellon’s Department of Environmental Health & Safety offers dozens of online and in-person safety training modules, including the Student Shop Safety module required for all users of ArchSHOP.
Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) provide detailed information about potentially hazardous materials, including appropriate personal protective equipment. You can access a searchable database of Material Safety Data Sheets from the EH&S webpage, or by searching Google for “CMU MSDS.”