Machine Shop
Learn the secrets of machining to drive sharp cutting tools using lathes, milling machines and drill presses—and make precise, accurate cuts. Machining is used on engines, bicycles, appliances, kinetic or mechanical projects, and much more. Our machine shop has lab time available for new students to perfect their machining skills and for experienced workers to work on personal projects.
Adult Classes
The Crucible offers a wide variety of adult classes teaching different machine shop techniques. Whether you want to master techniques in turning and milling or learn the fundamentals of the lathe, The Crucible has you covered. See the complete list of machine shop classes offered below.
3-Hour Taster: Machine Shop
3-Hour Tasters are a great way to explore a new art form without the deeper commitment of a full course. Learn how to safely operate a mill and lathe, while working on a brass headed hammer to take home. Take a Taster and meet new friends or give the gift of creativity to someone special.
Decorative Machining
Explore the creation of beautiful yet functional objects in machining. You will be introduced to the basics of operating mills and lathes with less focus on traditional precision and more on the unique potentials for cutting and shaping metal and other materials in the Machine Shop. Projects can include jewelry, keychains, miniature tools, and more.
Fundamentals of Machine Shop
Learn the fundamentals of Machine Shop theory and practice! Over this two-day course, you will be provided with a detailed handout packet and make a small project using basic machine tools, including the horizontal and vertical band-saws and the drill press.
Machine Shop Lab
Lab sessions are a great benefit! Practice the skills you learned in class and explore new possibilities with your craft, or work on a personal project. No instruction is provided during lab sessions, but a lab monitor will be present to answer questions, manage safety, and provide overall support. You are free to come and go at your convenience during open lab hours, however, you must provide your own materials.
PREREQUISITE: Fundamentals of Machine Shop or Turning and Milling and a current Crucible membership.
Makers Mark and Leather Bag
Students will design a personalized stamping tool used to mark their signature on embellishable goods. By the end of this course, students will have a deep understanding of both machining and leatherworking. Machining is a crucial process for creating precise cuts on metal, while leather working allows for the students to create items such as bags, wallets, cases, and more. Our techniques include using templates to cut, dye, decorate, and assemble leather goods and using a mill and other machining tools to create our metal stamper. Students will leave our class with a personalized bag and a stamping tool to use for years to come!
Turning and Milling
Learn to fabricate metal parts using the lathe and vertical milling machine. Instruction includes machine design and operation, materials, blueprint reading, cutting feeds and speeds, tooling and precision measurement. The mill and lathe are the cornerstones of any machine shop and can produce pieces with great precision, repeatability, and accuracy. The goal of this class is to explore the capabilities and scope of these versatile machines through a series of machined projects in aluminum, brass, and steel.
Youth Classes
In the Machine Shop, we offer youth classes specifically for ages 814-18. In these classes, The Crucible provides a unique setting for youth to get hands-on shaping metal objects, turning, and milling. All while exploring their creative voices and absorbing real-life lessons in science, technology, engineering, and math. You can see all The Crucible’s offerings for youth here.
Youth Machine Shop I
Learn the fundamentals of Machine Shop theory and practice! Over this 15-hour course, you will be provided with a detailed handout packet and make a small project using basic machine tools.
Youth Makers Mark
Students will design a personalized stamping tool used to mark their signature on embellishable goods. By the end of this week-long immersive experience, student will have a deep understanding of both machining and leatherworking. Machining is a crucial process for creating precise cuts on metal, while leather working allows for the students to create items such as bags, wallets, cases, and more. Our techniques include using templates to cut, dye, decorate, and assemble leather goods and using a mill and other machining tools to create our metal stamper. Students will leave our class with a personalized wallet and a stamping tool to use for years to come!
Meet The Machine Shop Department Head: Ian Wenck
At age 17, an eager High Schooler named Ian Wenck got a waiver to take an adult Blacksmithing class at The Crucible. On his way to the Smithy he passed the Machine Shop and was immediately intrigued. For the last decade, he has practiced and studied machining independently and at Diablo Valley College.
As Department Head, Ian hopes to expand the Machine Shop’s offerings in the coming months and years, he also wants to remain true to machining’s origins.
“I want the shop to very much keep its roots as a manual machine shop,” Ian explained, “And also update the program to reflect where machining is going as a whole with computer-controlled machines. I want it to be a machining and manufacturing program.”
While Ian works to expand our Machine Shop he hopes you’ll join him in a class to learn how things are made. Like Ian says, “Anyone and everyone is welcome in the Machine Shop.”
Being Prepared For Your Machine Shop
Machine Shop classes are held on the first floor of our building. Please contact us if you have any questions about accessibility and we will be happy to accommodate.
Students must arrive for class in all-natural fiber clothing, long pants, and closed-toe, closed-heel shoes with socks that protect up to the ankle. Long hair must be tied back. Nylon, polyester, spandex, or other synthetics are not allowed around machines, equipment, or processes that can produce hot fragments, sparks, or flames. In the Machine Shop, it is particularly important that you don’t wear anything with loose threads or pieces that hang off as it could get caught in the machines.
The Crucible requests students always arrive in studio safe clothing when working. Layers are encouraged as the studio can be very cold or very hot.
