View source for User:Shane/Downstairs Temporary Plan

''There aren't any decisions being made here. I'm just thinking aloud. Please pitch in if you think this is a bad idea!''

I was having a walk around space today, "doing the rounds" as we trustees call it, and was thinking about the metalworking area.

I don't have anything to say here about the progress of the metalworking area. (I know there is progress though. Recently I've seen some new plans for where the electrics will go, which is the next phase in getting the area usable.) With this plan, I'm assuming it's still some time off from being used as its ultimate use.

In the meanwhile, I was wondering about clearing out the space a bit and putting in temporary workbenches. If it's not being used for metalworking yet, we can try and make it useful in some other way.

There are actually some work benches already down there. The two large ones could be turned to be accessible (with one along the bike area wall). These appear to have sacrificial tops on them, so although I'm sure they're intended for metal work, they could handle worktop work of any kind.

If not these tables for some reason, we can bring in some (much less heavy duty) ones from the class room. There are two collapsible ones at the back of that room.

[[Image:Hs 2.5 metalworking main.jpg|frame|Two benches]]
[[Image:Hs_2.5_metalworking_corner.jpg|frame|Proposed location of the benches]]

There's even some shelving units that we could put to use immediately too.

[[Image:Hs 2.5 dismantled shelves.jpg|frame]]

I expect half of the metalworking space will still be used for storage, made even more cramped by some of the things that will need to be moved around.

This was brought by realising there's no good place to be drying bits in the space. I understand that it's difficult to bring down spray painted stuff, for instance, but this could be a useful painting area.

== Objectives ==

* Just making a usable space out of an unused space. Even if just a few people end up using it, it's still better than none as now.
* Nothing permanent. Must be able to move everything quickly when time comes for an electrician to get to work.

== Health and safety ==

A reminder that there's very little electrics down there! It is not recommended to plug in more items to the overhead gang sockets. We probably cannot have power tools down there. Strict hand-based things.

I would suggest closing off the door immediately into the metalworking area, and only allow access via the bike area. We can make that walkway safer than the storage bit of metalworking.

== What's needed ==

Some things need clearing away. Some of the stuff in the metalworking are right now is just rubbish. (See the excess wood, random bags.)

Some ''heavy'' things need moving. Might be best to do this with a group of people. (Hack the Space Day?)

Make the walkway/corridor safe to walk though.

Make it very clear to members the additional health and safety concerns of the rustic area.

Any thoughts welcome!

Any thoughts welcome!