Woodshop

Only currently enrolled students or employed faculty/staff have access to the tools and equipment in and TSS facility.   

You must know the safe operation and use of any tool/ equipment you want to use.  You must attend a shop safety and equipment demonstration before you will be authorized to use any tool/equipment. Appointments are made through the shop managers.  

All tools are checked out on a first come, first served basis.  You may not reserve tools or equipment in advance.  

Tool/equipment loans are for 48 hours (unless otherwise specified).  A late fee of $1 per item, per day will be applied.  This is strictly enforced.  Access will be suspended until late fees are paid.  

You are responsible for all tools and equipment checked out under your name, including all late fees incurred from loss or damage.  Do not have someone else check out or return tools for you.   

Students should expect to supply their own materials such as tape, hardware, glue, pencils, etc.  The shop suggests students purchase their own common tools such as tape measures, squares, straight edges, goggles, etc. 

You must be a currently enrolled student. 

You must check out/in all tools through the computer system using your X-number. 

All tools are subject to a 2 day (48 hour) check out period (unless otherwise specified). Late fees will be applied. 

All tools much be returned in the condition they were received (clean and working). 

You are solely responsible for clearing your account in the computer system.  

Some power tools are only allowed for use in designated areas on campus, which will be specified at the time of checkout.  

No storage in shop facilities allowed. 

You may leave projects that are properly labeled with your name and phone number to dry overnight.  No long term storage allowed in any shop.  

PROPER ATTIRE 

No loose, baggy clothing or jewelry is allowed.  Long hair must be tied back.  Closed toe shoes with non-slip soles are required.  This means no sandals, slippers, flip-flops, clogs, high heels, etc...no exceptions!  If you are not dressed properly, you may be denied access to the facility.  We suggest you keep a spare set of work clothes and tennis shoes in your locker to avoid being denied shop access.  

Eye protection must be worn at all times while in the shop facility.  The shop provides face shields and ear protection.  Anything more should be supplied by the student such as protective glasses, respirators, aprons, etc.  

Be sure an Otis technician is present before using any of the labs.  

Use common sense and take matters seriously when working with any tool/equipment.  You are expected to work in a safe and responsible manner.  Never work with machinery when tired, angry, ill or under the influence of drugs, alchohol or medications.  Do not run, yell or cause an unnecessary scene while in any of the TSS facilities.  

Be prepared.  Pre-planning is essential.  Consider the scale of your project.  Keep in mind that size + complexity = time.  If you have any questions about resources, fabrication techniques, materials, etc., be prepared to bring in sketches, dimensions or just your basic idea on paper in order to facilitate the discussion with and Otis tech.  

Respect the machines.  All the machines have the potential to injure you severely.  This can easily be avoided by becoming aware of the operation of each machine and its specific safety guidelines.  If you are not sure about a machine’s operation, ask a technician for assistance. 

Never force any machine.  If a machine is giving a great deal of resistance, it is making a funny sound, or it is smoking and sparks are flying, shut the machine off.  Immediately report any machine that is not functioning properly to an Otis tech. 

Always concentrate on the task at hand.  Never interrupt or distract anyone while they are using a machine.  If you need their attention, calmly wait for them to turn off the machine, and then address them accordingly.  

Clean up after yourself.  Keep all work surfaces and adjacent floor space clean and free of debris or obstructions.  Dust off the equipment as you work and pick up any stray pieces that may cause another to trip or fall.  Brushes, brooms, and dustpans are provided for this purpose.  

No food, drinks or smoking is permitted in any of the TSS facilities.  

When in doubt, please do not hesitate to ask an Otis technician for assistance.  Your safety is our main concern.  An Otis technician will always provide as much help as possible for any student who has asked for help.   

Please note: failure to follow any of the above stated tss policies may result in access restrictions and/or dismissal from the facilities...This will be strictly enforced.

The Tool Crib manages the lending of equipment to students using the WebCheckout system. All students are automatically assigned an account in the system when they register each semester. Currently enrolled students with a valid Otis ID and a completed Checkout Agreement Form may borrow equipment from any of the designated WebCheckout Centers during open hours. The Checkout Agreement outlines the terms and conditions of the transaction as well as the student’s responsibility while using the equipment. Students are responsible for all fees, repairs, and/or replacement costs assessed on equipment borrowed under their WebCheckout account (see Equipment Use, below).

Tool Crib equipment may be checked-out and returned according to the following schedule:

Mon – Thurs: Equipment is due back 48 hours from point of check-out

Fri –Sat: Equipment is due back the following Monday (same time as checked-out) (If the college is closed for a holiday, equipment is due back the next open weekday by 4pm)

Equipment is due promptly; Late Fees begin to accrue as soon as the equipment is past due in the system.

Equipment may be renewed in person only, checkout renewals are not available by phone.

The Tool Crib Equipment Inventory Is Regularly Maintained and Considered to Be in Working Order. Students Are Responsible for Inspecting Equipment Before They Leave the Check-Out Center. if Any Missing or Damaged Items Are Found, the Student Must Notify the Technician on Duty and Make Note of The Condition in The System. Access to Some Equipment Is only Granted to Students in Upper Level Advanced Courses After Proficiency Using the Equipment Has Been Demonstrated to The Shop Technician.

Students who abuse checkout privileges may be forbidden to check out equipment or use the facilities

Students are expected to return the equipment clean and in working order, and are responsible for all repairs or replacement costs resulting from damage during their use. Repair costs will be estimated by an approved Repair Service Center. If an item is lost or deemed irreparable by the service center, the borrower may elect to replace the equipment or pay its fair market replacement value as determined by recent Sold listings on eBay or Amazon marketplace. Replacements must be the same model and in equal or better condition than the original.

Late Fees begin to accrue as soon as the equipment is past due in the system. All Tool Crib equipment accrues a late fee of $1 per day per item. A printed invoice will be provided from the WebCheckout System and payments may be made at the Business Office in Ahmanson Hall, Room 218. Holds on accounts will be removed once proof of payment has been provided to the relevant Tool Crib. A Checkout Hold is automatically placed on the student’s account once any equipment is overdue in the system.

A Checkout Hold will prevent the student from borrowing equipment from any of the college’s WebCheckout Centers. If any equipment is not returned, replaced, or repaired within 30 days of the original due date or by the last class meeting of the semester, a Student Accounts Hold is placed. When a hold is sent to the Office of Student Accounts, per the Student Enrollment Agreement, all grades, transcripts, and future enrollment may be withheld until the account for the current semester is paid in full. Please contact the Office of Student Accounts in Ahmanson Hall, Room 209 for questions regarding individual accounts.

The Tool Crib manages the lending of equipment to faculty and staff (borrowers) using the WebCheckout system. Currently employed faculty and staff with a valid Otis ID and a completed Checkout Agreement Form may reserve and checkout equipment following the procedures outlined in the preceding student policy. The “Checkout Agreement” outlines the terms and conditions of the transaction as well as the borrower’s responsibility while using the equipment. The borrower is responsible for all costs attributed to the repair or replacement of equipment used under their WebCheckout account.

Enrolled students working on class assignments have priority for use of equipment/facilities over faculty and staff working on personal projects. Faculty and staff found to have checked out equipment or reserved facilities for another person in order to offer access to a person not authorized by TSS will have their access revoked. TSS reserves the right to deny access of the facilities and/or equipment to any person who fails to abide by the above rules or whose actions compromise the safety of others or disrupts the communal use of the facilities or equipment.

The borrower is expected to return the equipment clean and in working order, and is responsible for all repairs or replacement costs resulting from damage during their use. Repair costs will be estimated by an approved Repair Service Center. If an item is lost or deemed irreparable by a service center, the borrower may opt to replace the equipment or pay fair market replacement value as determined by recent Sold listings on eBay or Amazon marketplace. The replacement equipment must be the same model and condition, or newer equivalent. A printed invoice will be provided from the WebCheckout system and payments may be made at the Business Office in Ahmanson Hall, second floor. 

Once any equipment is past due in accordance with the checkout time periods, a Checkout Hold is automatically placed on the borrower’s account. A Checkout Hold will prevent the patron from making reservations or borrowing equipment at any of the college’s WebCheckout Centers. If any equipment is 3 Revised 4/24/13 not returned, replaced, or repaired within 30 days of the original due date, the account will be considered Delinquent.* Faculty account delinquencies will be forwarded to the Provost’s Office, and non--‐Academic Affairs Staff delinquencies will be referred to Human Resources. Non--‐payment of repair or replacement charges will be noted in the context of annual Performance Evaluations.

*It is not within the Tool Crib’s purview to make exceptions to College checkout policies; Faculty may direct their concerns to the Provost’s Office, and Staff to Human Resources, should the need arise.