Searcher’s Workshop Equipment Use      

in effect:  June 1, 2026                                                               

In general, the equipment is on a first come, first served basis. However, if someone comes later, every effort is made to assure they get to use the equipment they would like to use. Please be aware you may need to share equipment based on capacity.  Families will share equipment.

·         You must complete training and show efficiency on equipment to continue to use it.  

·         Workshop fee is required for any equipment use. In general, there are no refunds. 

·         If a member is unsure about machine use, please ask the Workshop Supervisor(WS)

·         Please bring more than one item to work on during your time in the Workshop, in case a machine is being used. 

Cleanup starts one hour before closing at the latest. 

Saw cutting times per member, subject to WS

 1hr. max                  

18” Enan; 18”Lorotone;    both 14” Highland Park;   8”Highland Park Precision Slab Saw

2 hr. max 

18” Highland Park              

1 hr.

10” Trim Saws:  For cutting preforms from slabs. Members may bring their own blade to use for cutting small rocks. The WS will change blade out as time allows.

6” trim saw:  For cutting small rocks of soft material such as turquoise

Genie Bench grinders :  For making cabochons only subject to WS. 

Covington grinder:  For shaping and polishing, free forms and specimens. 

Intarsia machine:  For making Intarsia pieces

Faceting Machine: Must be certified by Art Ravenscroft by completing one faceted stone under his guidance.

 When you want to check out a machine from the workshop, you must first reserve the machine and pay for the sessions in advance. There will be no refunds for sessions you miss. (Note: it usually takes 2-3sessions to finish faceting a stone.)

Back-to-back reservations are not allowed. When you finish the stone you’re working on, you must release the machine so another person can use it.

• Workshop supervisor or designated assistant will examine the faceting machine every time it’s checked in or out for cleanness and proper storing.

Maintenance of saws and tank cleaning: the WS will determine when the saw tanks oil, blades, and genie wheels need to be changed. 

Required maintenance hours for the workshop- When a maintenance day is scheduled,  those members who have used the workshop one or more times in the previous two months are required to attend and to work for at least two hours. Maintenance work would be: cleaning the oil out of the saws, filtering oil, changing genie wheels, cleaning genies, cleaning vinyl mats, cleaning shelving, floors, and seating. 

Complaints

A complaint about a person or a rule not followed can be made verbally to a board member, or the acting shop supervisor. The board member or supervisor will discuss the complaint and determine the best way to redress. Within two weeks, a resolution will be presented to the member verbally, for that member's input. The resolution will be accepted by the acting supervisor and member. If needed, the current rules and guidelines will be updated, a refund given, and/or apology made. If no acceptable redress is found, appeal can be made in writing to the board of directors, for review at the next scheduled board meeting.

I have read the Searchers Workshp Saw and Member Use rules and agree to abide by them.