A woodworking community of learning and craftsmanship.

By joining the Shop, you will open up a new dimension to your woodworking … one we hope you’ll find richly rewarding and enjoyable.  And we want to do everything we can to help you get the most from your Membership.  We have a process that will quickly get you safely working on your projects.

You will be assigned a volunteer host who will guide you through the entire process.  This person will contact you shortly after you join.  She or he will be your point of contact for everything needed to get you ready.  This includes

  • Learning how the shop operates
  • Understanding our websites
    • Accessing the shop's calendar of classes, shop time, and community activities
    • Enrolling in classes
    • Reserving time to use the shop and equipment
  • Get you safety certified
  • Introduce you to shop members
  • Answer your questions and help you find solutions to any problems you may have at the shop
  • Let you know about the many ways to be involved in the shop activities
 

Your host will schedule a 2 hour orientation and safety session with you at the shop.  There are a few things you must do to prepare for this:

1. Shop Safety Video

There is a short shop safety video that you need to watch.  You will be signing an affidavit that you watched the video so don't skip it.  Safety Video

2. Read the shop Safety Manual

There's no need to print it out, unless you really want to.  Here's a link to it: Member Shop Reference Manual

    Complete the on-line Safety Exam

Take the exam, your answers will be recorded on the exam itself . You should allow an hour or two to complete the test.  Safety Written Test

3. Safety Certification

Please don't stress over the Safety Certification.  We don't care if you are proficient at using the machines.  We care a lot that you will be SAFE.

If you want to know what you will be doing in the Safety Certification, here's the link:  Safety Certification

After you have finished the steps above, it's time to spend some time with your sponsor at the shop.  Together you will:

  • fill out the shop liability waiver
  • discuss your safety exam
  • do your Safety Certification
  • learn how to use the Punchpass system to schedule shop time and classes
  • learn your way around the shop
  • get answers to any questions you may have
 

What's next is up to you.  Sign up for a class, volunteer to build toys for the Shop's Christmas sale, join a special interest group, attend a Eye Opener meeting, become a Shift Supervisor, or start your woodworking project.  Welcome to the Member Shop!

Craftsman Referral Terms

BACKGROUND
The San Diego Fine Woodworkers Association (SDFWA) is a 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to the education, promotion, and execution of the principles of fine woodworking.
The SDFWA frequently receives requests from people seeking the service of a woodworker. Therefore, although custom woodworking for hire is not the purpose of our organization, we offer this referral service to the public so that they might connect with a woodworker.

SCOPE
SDFWA does not screen or warrant the skills or work of any craftsman. The public should use their own discretion and due diligence before hiring any craftsman, from any source, including this one.
The sole role of SDFWA in this referral service is limited to providing our member woodworkers with your completed form. It is up to each craftsman to initiate a contact with the requester.

PROCEDURE
After a requester submits a project, the form will be emailed to our list of participating craftsmen. If a craftsman is interested in the project, they will contact the client directly, and a two-way conversation can begin.

As the craftsmen themselves choose which projects to respond to, this means that it is probable that some project requests will receive no response. If you do not receive a response in a reasonable time, please submit your request again, using the provided referral form.
Note that contacting SDFWA directly will not achieve the desired results.

DISCLAIMER
By agreeing to these Terms, and by continuing to submit this Referral Form, and by utilizing one or more of the services of any of these craftsmen, you are agreeing to contract exclusively with that individual craftsman and to defend, indemnify and hold harmless the SDFWA Organization, its officers, officials, employees and volunteers from any and all claims, injuries, damages, losses or suits including attorney fees, arising out of or in connection with the performance of this agreement, and any and all failures, damages, or otherwise negative outcomes caused directly or indirectly by the craftsmen you employ to do any project initiated by this Form. This does not preclude you from pursuing legal remedies from the individual craftsman that you employ. But any remedy you pursue is restricted to that individual craftsman, and does not include the SDFWA organization or any of its volunteer members.