Replies

1. 
   sschefer | Jul 18, 2002 06:44pm | #1

   You're welcome to use my shop but the commutte would be hellish.

   Steve - in Northern California

1. 
   rody | Jul 18, 2002 06:57pm | #2

   jd, you might check to see if there are any Woodcrafter stores in your area. They have the facilities and provide training. If that is too expensive, a little time in their shop might lead to contacts with others that could share shop space. Just an idea.

   Lefty - Lurker without an attitude or a clue

2. 
   rslatm | Jul 18, 2002 07:44pm | #3

   I'm pretty sure you won't find anything like that. I'm in western mass and there was a place that had a shared machine room and seperate studios but you had to be a working pro to even be considered.  Long gone now anyway.  Liability and insurance issues as well.  I can't even begin to imagine anone would let an amateur woodworker use their machines unsupervised. Guess I got it made. I can use the shop at work most anytime and even have access to another shop down the road  from me.  I'd have to say your only option is to stick with handtools and buy some portable   stuff like a lunch box planer or the continuing ed route.  There's a couple of schools in the Northampton area but you'd be limited to a set schedule.  Someone tried doing a co-op type shop in West Springfield about 10 years ago but it folded fast and you could only use it when the monitor was there.

1. 
   jdosh30 | Jul 19, 2002 12:06am | #4

   Thank you all for your input.  Steve, maybe I'll come out for one project - build a plane (air not hand) to get home again.  Unfortunately, I'm not surprised by the info. that liability concerns get in the way - once again litigation and the fear (either real or perceived) of being blamed for something others should be taking personal responsibility for rears it's ugly head.  As they say, sad but true...  Anyway, though the front porch may be cramped and cold, without machines it's quiet and that's worth something.

1. 
   thumbgouger | Jul 19, 2002 04:06am | #5

   Do you have any yard space?  There is a guy out here in WY that works out of one of those little metal storage sheds probably about 8x10 with a small deck out front for nice days.  Insulated with styrofoam and a small space heater he even gets some winter use out of it.  Not much but it beats dragging tools out of closets and drawers.

   Dave

1. 
   Tzvi | Jul 19, 2002 06:23am | #6

   Hi

   I hope this might be an idea.  I'm now in the middle of remodeling a travel trailer as a small work shop and as long as it is registered and moveable I wont have zoning problems.  I can just move it to a friends nearby lot if anything does come up.  I will need electric, but last weekI saw a small and quite quiet generator that could also be added if necessary. 

   Tzvi