C-SED Lab FAQ
What are the available tools?
- 13” Thickness Planer
- 3D printer
- Bandsaw
- Belt/Disc Sander
- Circular Saw
- Dremel Engraver
- Drill Press
- Electric Drill
- Hand Sander
- Hand Tools
- Heat Gun
- Jigsaw
- Miter Saw
- Multitool
- Reciprocating Saw
- Router
- Sewing Machine & Station
- Embroidery Machine
- Soldering Iron
- Staple Gun
- Table Saw
What types of trainings are there? / Which training should I sign up for?
- Orientation (30 minutes) – a walk-through overview with one of the lab managers of the lab space, storage areas, safety rules, logistics of using the lab, resources, and tools available. This does not include training with any of the power tools. We recommend signing up for this training if you want to use the space and resources but do not plan to use any of the power tools.
- Level 1 Wood Training (1 hour) – entry level power tool training including the orientation training with power tool training using the miter saw, bandsaw, drill press, and sander hand drill. This is the most common training students sign up for and we recommend this training for most fabrication.
- Level 2 Wood Training (1 hour) – advanced power tool training using the table saw, router, and planer. The Level 1 Wood Training must be completed before you can sign up for the Level 2 Wood Training. We recommend this training if you would like to advance your skills in different power tools, or if your project may require the use of these other tools when discussing with a lab manager.
- Level 0 Soldering (1 hour) – Individual Power Tools by Request
Any student is more than welcome to sign up for higher-level training at a later point in time if they choose to do so, whether for their co-curricular project, personal project, or general skill-building/interest!
If I completed my training in a previous academic year, do I need to get trained again?
If you completed the in-person lab training in a previous semester or academic year, you do not need to repeat it. We do, however, ask that you re-read the online safety content, take the quiz again and sign a new access agreement. You will need to follow these steps in order to receive the new door code for a new academic year.
Do I have to be on a project team to be able to use the C-SED lab?
Nope! The C-SED lab is an inclusive and open workspace to meet the needs and curiosities of Michigan students. If you have personal or independent learning projects that you would like to pursue, you are more than welcome to apply to gain access to the space.
What can I make in the C-SED lab?
The tools we have in the lab are suitable for making many things out of wood, basic electronics, plastics, and fabric. The lab cannot be used for machining metal parts or spray painting. Creating drug paraphernalia or weapons of any kind in the C-SED Lab space is strictly prohibited.
What do I do if I want to make something but don’t know how?
The C-SED Lab Managers are experienced in designing, fabricating, building, and making all kinds of things. Booking a consultation with a lab manager or expressing interest during a lab reservation slot can help you make a plan, figure out materials, and help teach you what it takes to do your project.
Can I store things in the lab?
Yes – HOWEVER, you only be able to store items during the duration of your project: this is not a long term storage solution. Shelves and drawers with totes are available. To use them, please complete the corresponding form to label your work with your contact information.
In general, just make sure you label what’s yours with the team and project name (or your own name for personal projects), team lead full name and uniqname, and date. Please make an effort to keep your items tidy and in the appropriate storage space.
Can I use the assembly room space if I haven’t been trained?
No, you must have completed an in-person training before using the lab.
Do I have to sign in every time I come into the lab?
Yes. Whether you are coming in with another trained student or your team, during a lab appointment, or training, you should always sign in when you come into the space. It helps us collect data on how many people use the space which helps us continue to operate.
When is the lab open?
You can access the lab at any time, but please use good judgement if you would like to come in alone! For safety reasons, if the project you’re working on is more dangerous and you feel that you would be safer with another person in the room, please have another person with you that has also been trained. In addition, not all of the tools will be available 24/7.
Will the C-SED lab be open in the summer?
At the end of the school year, we contact students who have approved access to the lab to take an inventory and ask on a case-by-case basis if they will need access to the lab or store any materials/equipment. We will then follow up about if we can accommodate your needs and storage options with you directly. Any students or teams that don’t need the space in the summer will need to remove items by the indicated date, or they will become C-SED property and may be disposed of.
What happens if I use the last of a consumable, find an empty box of the consumable, break a tool, or find a broken tool?
Some of the tools in the lab that are listed on the website are not included in the Level 1 or Level 2 training, how do we get trained on those?
