Open Shop CHICAGO

STARTING DECEMBER 3RD 2023

Our Open Shop hours are changing to 12:30pm-5:30pm every Sunday in Chicago (no cancellations)!

***If you are attending Open Shop for the first time, you are required to complete a shop authorization. Shop authorizations will be held at 11:30am-12:30pm every Sunday before Open Shop. Please make sure to show up at 11:30am if you have not completed a shop authorization.

Scroll down to learn about our new Open Shop memberships!

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 5 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!

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, but they will not make your project for you. We cannot guarantee that your project will be finished in the time allotted. Arrangements can be made to store your materials if you need to come back to finish up at another Open Shop session.

***After registering for open shop, please email [email protected] 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.

CLASS CREDIT POLICY::

• If you give notice by email that you need to withdraw from a class 14 days before the start of the class, the amount paid for the class will be applied towards a class credit redeemable within one year towards a future class.
• If you give notice by email that you need to withdraw from a class between 2 weeks and 48 hours before the start of the class, 50% of the amount paid towards the class will be applied towards a class credit redeemable within one year towards a future class.
• There are no credits provided for any cancellation with less than 48 hours notice. There are no exceptions to this policy.
• If Rebuilding Exchange cancels a workshop, you will receive a full refund, returned via your original payment method. Our team will contact you by phone and/or email with any updates regarding class cancellations due to weather.

NEW! Open Shop Memberships

What does an Open Shop Membership at the Rebuilding Exchange include?

Access to Sunday afternoon Open Shop hours at the Rebuilding Exchange Chicago location, 1740 W. Webster Ave., including tools and supplies. See a listing of shop tools here.

20% off lumber purchases for the duration of your membership.

Storage. Members get a 15"x35"x60" bunk included for the duration of membership (included in membership cost)

Expert advising. A Rebuilding Exchange instructor will be on-site during Open Shop hours and available to help problem solve.

How much does an Open Shop Membership cost?

Memberships come in 3 levels:

Pine: 3 months ($300)

Cedar: 6 months ($550) (save $50)

Walnut: 1 year ($1,000) (save $200)

Single session tickets for $70 will still be available.

How do I purchase a membership?

Step 1:

Memberships are sold as a “gift card” option through this link. https://giftup.app/place-order/9f067f8a-2939-4642-db51-08da7b86b911?platform=hosted

Step 2:

You will receive an email with a PROMOCODE to use when signing up for your Open Shop sessions. PROMOCODEs are valid for 3, 6 or 12 months from the date of purchase.

Step 3:

Sign up for Open Shop sessions through the Eventbrite listing that’s posted on our Workshop Calendar. Input your PROMOCODE when you sign up to reserve your space at no additional charge.

With a membership am I guaranteed a space in Open Shop?

No. The shop can accommodate up to 6 people per session. We are limiting the number of memberships available with the goal that members will be able to reserve the dates they want. If we find that members are having difficulty getting reservations, we will expand the days and times Open Shop is offered.

What if I reserve a time in Open Shop then can’t make it?

If your schedule changes and you can’t make your open shop session, send an email to [email protected] no later than 48 hours ahead of time and we will remove you from the reservation list. We reserve the right to terminate a membership if the member has 3 or more “no shows” with no notice.

Are Open Shop memberships refundable?

No. Open Shop memberships are non refundable but you are able to transfer the remainder of your membership to another person.

Is there any type of training required to attend an Open Shop as a member?

Yes, new members will be required to go through a shop orientation with an instructor prior to using the shop for the first time. This may be completed at the beginning of your first session.

Any additional questions?

Contact [email protected]

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 [email protected]

OTHER POLICIES

All workshops are 18+ unless otherwise specified; no woodworking experience necessary

Materials are included in the fee for the workshop

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

Host or Publisher Rebuilding Exchange