One thing about Community Build here at the Clemson Design Center is that it is extremally hands on. Part of the reason I wanted to take this studio was to learn not only about how to build a structure from the ground up but, to also learn how some of the tools in the wood shop work.
After Hurricane Ian passed we had to wait for the site to dry up a bit before we could do too much to it. That means prep steel metal for transport. First we had to punch holes in some steel members so that when we assemble everything they line up. For me this was nerve wracking because I wanted to make no mistakes.
Personally I have never used a mechanical hole punch tool. After the first few punches it was not as intimidating as I initially though but we owe that to Alex for setting it so there wouldn’t be any mistakes! Jed held the steel members in place I stepped on the petal and re-tagged and Amanda organized the steel in the correct location.
Next was the exciting portion of the day! Two new tools! a small group of us learned how to cut and grind steel while looking fashionable in our shop coats! I can get to be a bit of a scaredy cat at first when I try new things but I would definitely love to play in the shop more. The nice thing about this is that we can use all of these skills we learn in shop and use them forever.
