Open Shop CHICAGO

Consider yourself a real Ron Swanson but no room to have your own workshop? Use ours! We are proud to offer Open Shop, where you’ll have 3 hours to work on whatever tickles your fancy (all projects subject to instructor approval).

We welcome all skills levels but strongly suggest that you take 1 or 2 introductory workshops with us first before venturing out on your own! Instructors will assist you in your project, but they will not make your project for you.

Our instructors will be there to show you how to use the equipment, supervise to make sure you leave with all your fingers and toes, and provide direction if you need an expert opinion. However, we cannot guarantee that your project will be finished in only 3 hours. Arrangements can be made to store your materials here, if you need to come back to finish up at another Open Shop session.

***After registering for open shop, please email workshops@rebuildingexchange.org to let us know what you will be working on in the class. A list of tools/equipment available for use during open shop are provided below.

Materials are not included in the price of Open Shop, but we are happy to offer a 20% discount for materials purchased in our warehouse. We recommend showing up an hour early to pick out materials and prepare to work.

Calling woodworkers of all levels with a dream project! The high-end coffee table that doesn’t quite fit your home. The storage solution you can’t find in stores. An army of custom bottle openers to give away to your party guests perhaps? If you’ll need multiple classes to craft that vision we’ve created a package just for you!

REFUNDS AND EXCHANGES

If you can’t make it to a class, you can transfer your ticket to someone else. Please email indigo@rebuildingexchange.org with their name and email address.

If Rebuilding Exchange needs to cancel a workshop, we will notify you 24 hours before the class and give you the option of refund or reschedule.

We do not currently offer other refunds or transfers between classes.

STUDENT SAFETY DURING COVID

Your safety is our highest priority at Rebuilding Exchange, so we have put safety protocols in place for all of our in-person workshops to keep everyone safe. Those protocols are:

• Reduced class sizes (no more than 8 participants in a class).

• All instructors, assistants, and participants are no longer required to wear masks while attending workshops, but we still strongly encourage them (we do not have enough masks to provide to everyone, so you must provide your own mask).

• Instructors and participants may be required to have their temperature taken (using a touchless thermometer) prior to the start of the class.

• Social distancing will be implemented when possible and appropriate.

• Breaks will be provided during the class for handwashing.

• Everyone should follow recommended safety precautions, such as coughing into your elbow and refraining from touching their face.

• All of the tools, equipment, door handles, cabinet and drawer handles, etc. that are touched will be disinfected both before and after the workshop.

Below is the list of approved tools for Open Shop. 

Machines

• Rockwell 10” Table Saw – Unisaw (instructor use only)
• Rockwell 12/14” Tilting Arbor Saw (instructor use only)
• Powermatic 15” Planer 15s
• Delta 12” Planer 22-560
• Delta 8” Jointer DJ-20
• Delta 6” Jointer 37-196
• Rockwell Drill Press 15-665
• Delta Drill Press 17-900
• Dewalt Compound Mitre Saw DW718
• Jet Lathe JML-1014
• Rockwell Bandsaw 28-340
• Delta Bandsaw BS220LS
• Delta Stationary Sander
• Rockwell Scroll Saw 62-166
• Porter Cable Router Table

Power Tools

• Skill 7 ¼” Circular Saw
• Dewalt Jig Saw
• 8-Makita Cordless Drills
• 3-Dewalt 4” Orbital Sanders
• 2- Dewalt Angle Grinder
• Porter Cable 18 GA Nail Gun and Compressor
• Porter Cable 23 GA Pin Nailer

Hand Tools

• Chisels
• Hand Planes
• Tenon Saws
• Coping Saw
• Marking Gauges

***Questions about tools or equipment can be sent to workshops@rebuildingexchange.org

Workshop Policies: Please review policies below before committing to a workshop.

• All workshops are 18+; no woodworking experience necessary;
• If Rebuilding Exchange needs to cancel a workshop, we will notify you 24 before the class and give you the option of refund or reschedule;
• Projects and materials must be picked up within one week of the class ending. Rebuilding Exchange reserves the right to sell any projects or materials left behind after the week end; 
• If you are unable to attend your one-time workshop, email us 48-hours before the class starts. If you are unable to make your series class, email us one week before the class starts; and
• One couple’s ticket allows for two people to make one item together.

We are not able to accommodate last minute attendees. If a workshop is sold out, there are no open spots.