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Woodworking Clubhouse

Woodworking Clubhouse (post #150046)

Chris949 on Mon, 03/29/2010 - 13:59

Woodworking Clubs

I am considering a new venture. I want to create a woodworking shop that is available to all levels of wood workers.

A place away from home, where all the tools you need are readily available. I call this a club because it would be a member shop. I see this as an advantage for those who like to work on wood projects but don't have the space or the money to buy the expensive equipment. This could be a place to create your masterpiece, socialize with others, get out of the house, or just hang out with like minded friends.

I have considered all the mechanical requirements, the location and the insurability of this proposition.

What I'm asking for is your feedback. Would this be a valuable resource for you or your friends?

Chris

I too once had the same (post #150046, reply #1 of 4)

by BruceS in reply to Chris949 [original] on Mon, 03/29/2010 - 16:33

I too once had the same idea. I mentioned the thought to an insurance friend of mine and I thought he was going to have the big one on the spot.

Work Safe, Count to 10 when your done for the day !!

Bruce S.

I'm a volunteer supervisor at (post #150046, reply #2 of 4)

by bingoreo in reply to Chris949 [original] on Tue, 03/30/2010 - 01:51

I'm a volunteer supervisor at such a shop, we have 750 members and are opening a new 24k ft2 shop this summer as we move out of our 7k ft2 facility which we are outgrowing.

We're a 501 (c) (3) org and donate over 30k man hours of volunteer time each year and $70k in materials.

We charge $75/yr in dues and we have monthly meetings with guest speakers and we run about 30 hrs/wk of mentoring classes 9 months out of the year. In the summer things slow down, in part because not all of the shop is air conditioned.

Its great for the woodworkers but we have some strong supporters in the community otherwise I don't think we would have progressed like we have. The club has been around 30 yrs and has had a shop for 6 yrs, membership has grown from 150'ish to 750 since the shop opened.

forming a woodworking club (post #150046, reply #3 of 4)

by davidah in reply to bingoreo [original] on Mon, 04/19/2010 - 11:00

How does one form a woodworking club in one's area? It seems to me that Fine Woodworking has a means to contact woodworkers in any given area and that they could act as a conduit for communications to set up clubs. Is this possible without violating privacy of individuals?