I have a vision for a new community shop space. I'm imagining an expanded Dovetail Community Workshop and Veterans Woodworking Workshop — a new location that reaches the community, the public, and veterans together.
A building of about 40,000 square feet.
Of those 40,000 square feet, a 10,000-square-foot open shop with three SawStop table saws, two sliding bevel chop saws, four bandsaws (two 12-inch and two 14-inch resaws), four lathes (two 16-inch and two 12¼-inch variable-speed), and two each of: drill presses, mortising machines, drum sanders (24- and 36-inch), planers, scroll saws, and jointers. Central dust collection that supports all of these machines.
Ten workbenches. Four assembly tables for daily use. An 8-foot-square finishing room. A room for CNC machines and training on how to use them.
Two classrooms that hold 125 people in individual seating for presentations. These classrooms have two large screens on which the presenter can be projected using a camera system that gives all viewers a close-up of the demonstration. One classroom also has nine Sjoberg Elite workbenches and nine Robust Sweet 16 lathes — so classes on all aspects of woodworking can be held without interrupting members working on personal projects in the open shop.
Hosting Veterans Day in the Shop is another activity in the classrooms — community projects, healing, connection with fellow veterans. I want the Veterans Woodworking nonprofit at the heart of this, working with the VA to support veterans healing from PTSD and other challenges from their service.
Sixteen private studio spaces: fifteen at 12 × 15 feet and one at 30 × 30 feet, all for rent by local artisans.
An attached woodworking store carrying the standard supplies members and local woodworkers need. A wood store run by a local business so members can purchase quality materials for their projects. The revenue supports the building and shop.
An investment account supporting operations through growth on the principal — the principal is never touched. Paid staff to open the facilities seven days a week.
That's the vision.
Don