About the Workshops

Workshop FAQs

• Who can become a member? Show content

  All current UCL students and staff are eligible to become members of the Institute of Making. We are currently unable to accommodate Alumni or non UCL members, but check our events page for regular public open days, Materials Library discovery sessions, research events and masterclasses which are free and open to everyone. Please do join our mailing list to be kept updated on all such events and opportunities to visit.

  If you're not at UCL but keen to access workshop facilities, head to Open Workshop Network to find an open access space near you.

• How do I join? Show content

  Information on how to become a member is found on our Membership page.

• How much does it cost? Show content

  Membership of the Institute of Making and access to our faculties is free.

• Help! My card doesn't work on the door. Show content

  If you've been inducted and your card is still not giving you access to the workshops, please check you are using our members entrance door.
  
  Please note, to access our Stratford space you will also have to complete a Space Orientation, as well as a New Members Induction. If your card is still not working after this, please get in touch and we'll enable it for you.
  
  If you have been issued a new card or changed your position at UCL, you may need your card to be reactivated. If you have graduated from or left UCL, we can no longer give you access to the workshops - but please do sign up to our mailing list to keep in touch about our free public events, activities and material extravaganzas.
  
  

• Do you host work experience placements? Show content

  Unfortunately, we do not host work experience placements.

  We currently run a paid internship scheme for UCL staff and students which is advertised through our website and mailing list.

• When are you open? Show content

  Our Bloomsbury workshop is open for members access Tuesday-Friday, with a late opening on Wednesday. You can check our exact opening hours once you have completed your New Members Induction.
  
  Our Stratford workshop is open for members access Tuesday-Friday. Before planning your visit, please check the exact opening hours of our rooms and facilities. You will be able to see this once you have completed your New Members Induction in Bloomsbury, and the Space Orientation in Stratford.
  
  Our events usually run Monday-Friday, and we also host occasional weekend events for members and the general public, such as the Festival of Stuff.
  
  We are closed over UCL holidays and for occasional new members inductions, maintenance days and events. You can find out about any planned closures here.

• Can I talk to you about a material / my project? Show content

  Yes! As soon as you've completed your new member induction you can drop in any time during our opening hours and chat to one of our technicians. If the workshop is particularly busy, we might arrange another time or date with you to discuss things properly.

• What equipment and software do you have? Show content

  Check out our tools database or drop in and have a look around.

• Where can I read information about using your tools and equipment? Show content

  For general information about how to use our workshops, check out the Workshops page.

  We operate a traffic light system with our tools and equipment:

  Green tools include all hand tools and some power tools, such as our pillar drills and sanders.

   If it is your first time using this tool you must ask a technician to come and ensure competency beforehand. You should request a demonstration or supervision by a technician if you are unsure of how to use a green tool or need a refresher at any point. 

  Yellow tools require a specific tool training (a little extra induction).

  These include 3D printers, band saws, laser cutters, routers, planers, sewing machines, domino jointers and circular saws. Once you have completed your tool training and demonstrated competency it will be noted on your member profile.As with green tools, you should request a demonstration or supervision by a technician if you are unsure of how to use a yellow tool or need a refresher at any point.

  Red tools are technician only. 

  Members can’t use these pieces of equipment, but they can ask a technician to use it for them. For all green and yellow tools and equipment, technicians can stop members using the machinery if they deem a member to be unsafe.

• Can I bring in my own tools? Show content

  If you would like to bring your own hand tools, please speak with a technician first so they can check they are safe and are aware they are yours.

  We are unable to allow you to bring your own power tools.

• Can I buy materials from you? Show content

  You can buy a few materials from us including acrylic, laser grade plywood and vacuum form sheet. They can all be purchased on the UCL Online Shop.
  
  Please make sure you check the availability of these materials with a technician before any purchase.

• How much do 3D print materials cost? Show content

  If your print is over 100g the price is 54p per 10 grams. Prints smaller than this remain free.

  To calculate the price of your print please use this spreadsheet. When you load your model into Cura, the software will estimate the amount of material required. Enter this value (either as a length or weight) in either of the green cells (weight or length cells).

  Once you have worked out the cost, please log on to our shop and pay the amount specified on the spreadsheet using a bank card.

• What about screws and glues and nails? Show content

  We’ve got a selection of glues, nails bolts, screws, and sandpaper for you to use free of charge (however, if you are planning to make a full-scale replica of The Eiffel Tower out of our two inch nails, you should buy your own). We can give you advice on specialist fixings and where to get them locally, if required.

• Can I store my project or tools here? Show content

  We don't have any dedicated project storage space in our Bloomsbury or Stratford workshops.
  
  You will need to take your project away at the end of the day - unless it's massive, curing, drying etc. If this is the case, please talk to a technician beforehand, who will check if there is enough space to keep your project. You can then get a label, add a collection date, and take it to a technician to sign off. Any work left without a label is thrown away or recycled.

• Can I rent or book the space? Show content

  The Institute of Making is not a bookable teaching space but we do host occasional events in partnership with external people when the nature of the event aligns with our interests. If you would like to talk with us about partnering with us for an event or activity that you thin our facials are perfect for, please get in touch via our contact page.

• I have a disability. Will I be able to access the workshop? Show content

  Yes, you will. Please get in touch with us to discuss how we can best make it work for you via members@instituteofmaking.org.uk

  Our Bloomsbury workshop has a step free entrance and a lift down into the main workshop. There is no lift to our internal mezzanine, but most of the tools up there are mobile and can be brought down.

  Our Stratford workshop has also a step free entrance, and an internal lift allows you to travel between the ground and first floor giving you access to the entire workshop.

• I have hearing sensitivities. Can I come into the workshop? Show content

  If you are sensitive to certain sounds, you can still come and work in our space. Please get in touch with us to discuss how we can best make it work for you via members@instituteofmaking.org.uk.

• I don’t know anything about making. Can you help me? Show content

  Absolutely, that's what we're here for! You don't need any experience and we can work with you to learn as much as you like. Come in and talk to a technician - you do not need to make an appointment.

• I was a member last year. Do I need to reregister or get reinducted? Show content

  You do not need to be re-registered. You can come in as normal until you graduate or leave UCL. Once you've been inducted on a tool you won't need to redo it, but if you need a refresher on any of the machines at any time, don't hesitate to ask! You must refresh your members induction every 5 years. This Induction Refresher will update you on any new systems and processes in the workshop and Materials Library, as well as changes to health and safety protocols.