Siebel Center for Design

The Joinery Lab

The Joinery Lab

Here you will find a wide variety of equipment for cutting, shaping, and assembling wood, plastic, foam, or composite materials. 

Get Started with Training

We offer online orientations and training to make is easy to get started, and provide in-person training on the specific equipment you are interested in using. Learn new tools one at a time, or all at once, so you can keep your design prototypes moving forward.

Our equipment is categorized into levels based on training and experience required for safe use. Our online Lab training will introduce you to all of these tools so you are familiar with what they can do, and our Lab Attendants will get you set up to work on them. Tap on any of the training levels below to learn more about the tools and access required to use them. 

Online Orientation on Canvas

Joinery Lab Machines

Drill Press

Make: Powermatic
Model: PM2800B
Use: Drilling holes in a wide variety of materials

  • Softwoods (e.g., pine, cedar)
  • Hardwoods (e.g., oak, maple, walnut)
  • Plywood and composite boards
  • Aluminum
  • Brass
  • Copper
  • Cast iron
  • Acrylic
  • Polycarbonate
  • PVC
  • ABS

 

Table Saw

Make: SawStop
Model: Professional
Use: Rip and cross cutting wood and some plastics

  • Softwoods: Pine, cedar, fir, etc.
  • Hardwoods: Oak, maple, cherry, walnut, etc.
  • Engineered Wood Products: Plywood, MDF, particleboard, and OSB
  • Acrylic (e.g., Plexiglas)
  • Polycarbonate (e.g., Lexan)
  • PVC

 

Compound Miter Saw

Make: Dewalt
Model: DWX723
Use: Cross cutting wood and some plastics, can be set to cut at compound angles

  • Softwoods: Pine, cedar, spruce, etc.
  • Hardwoods: Oak, maple, walnut, cherry, etc.
  • Engineered Wood Products: Plywood, MDF, particleboard, and laminated wood.
  • PVC
  • Acrylic (e.g., Plexiglas)
  • Polycarbonate (e.g., Lexan)
  • Other rigid plastics, depending on the blade type.

 

Panel Saw

Make: Speedcut
Model: H5
Use: Cutting large sheets of plywood or some plastics into smaller sheets

  • Plywood
  • MDF (Medium-Density Fiberboard)
  • Particleboard
  • OSB (Oriented Strand Board)
  • Hardwood Veneers
  • Softwood Panels
  • Acrylic (e.g., Plexiglas)
  • Polycarbonate (e.g., Lexan)
  • PVC Sheets

 

Band Saw

Make: Jet
Model: 714400K
Use: Cutting curves and detailed designs in wood and some plastics

  • Softwoods: Pine, cedar, fir, etc.
  • Hardwoods: Oak, maple, cherry, walnut, etc.
  • Plywood and Veneers
  • Engineered Wood: MDF, particleboard, and laminated wood
  • Acrylic (e.g., Plexiglas)
  • Polycarbonate (e.g., Lexan)
  • PVC

 

Belt/Disk Sander

Make: Grizzly
Model: W1712
Use: Smoothing the surface of wood and some plastics

  • Softwoods: Pine, cedar, spruce, etc.
  • Hardwoods: Oak, maple, cherry, walnut, etc.
  • Engineered Wood: Plywood, MDF, particleboard, and OSB.
  • Acrylic (e.g., Plexiglas)
  • Polycarbonate (e.g., Lexan)
  • PVC and similar rigid plastics (ensure proper sanding belts/discs)

 

Scroll Saw

Make: Rikon
Model: 10-600vs
Use: Used for making precise, intricate cuts and detailed designs in thin materials

  • Softwoods: Pine, cedar, spruce, etc.
  • Hardwoods: Oak, maple, walnut, cherry, etc.
  • Plywood: Suitable for detailed cuts in thin sheets.
  • Veneers: For fine decorative designs.
  • Acrylic (e.g., Plexiglas)
  • Polycarbonate (e.g., Lexan)
  • PVC sheets

 

Router Table

Make: Sawstop
Model: ?
Use: Provides a stable surface for precision shaping, edging, grooving, and decorative work on various materials.

  • Softwoods: Pine, cedar, fir, etc.
  • Hardwoods: Oak, maple, walnut, cherry, etc.
  • Engineered Wood: Plywood, MDF, particleboard, and laminated wood
  • Acrylic (e.g., Plexiglas)
  • Polycarbonate (e.g., Lexan)
  • PVC

 

Spindle Sander

Make: Triton
Model: TSPST450
Use: Sanding curves, contours, and edges 

  • Softwoods: Pine, cedar, etc.
  • Hardwoods: Oak, maple, cherry, walnut, etc.
  • Plywood and Veneers
  • Acrylic (e.g., Plexiglas)
  • Polycarbonate
  • PVC

 

Downdraft Table 

Make: Sand Pro
Model: M4831
Use: Capture dust and debris generated during sanding and other finishing tasks.

  • Softwoods (e.g., pine, cedar)
  • Hardwoods (e.g., oak, maple, walnut)
  • Plywood, MDF, particleboard
  • Acrylic (e.g., Plexiglas)
  • Polycarbonate (e.g., Lexan)
  • PVC
  •  

 

Planer

Make: Oliver
Model: M-4430.201
Use: Smooth, flatten, and reduce the thickness of wood and other materials

  • Softwoods: Pine, cedar, fir, etc.
  • Hardwoods: Oak, maple, cherry, walnut, etc.
  • Engineered Wood: MDF, plywood, laminated wood, and particleboard
  •  

 

Jointer

Make: Laguna
Model: ?
Use: Flatten, square, and smooth the edges of boards

  • Softwoods: Pine, cedar, spruce, etc.
  • Hardwoods: Oak, maple, walnut, cherry, etc.
  • Engineered Wood: MDF, plywood, and laminated boards

 

VSR Lathe

Make: Rikon
Model: 70-3040
Use: Used for turning wood and some soft materials, allowing for precise shaping, smoothing, and creating cylindrical shapes or designs

  • Softwoods: Pine, cedar, fir, etc.
  • Hardwoods: Oak, maple, cherry, walnut, etc.
  • Exotic Woods: Like mahogany or teak for custom turning projects

 

Tools Available In Joinery Lab

Dewalt 20V MAX Impact Driver

 

DEWALT 20V MAX XR Brushless Drill

Westward Rubber Mallet

Head Weight: 32 oz 

Set Squares

Pipe Clamps

Trigger Clamp

12 in, 100 lbs, 2.43 in. Throat Depth 

Spring Clamp

Length (In.): 6 Max. Jaw Opening (In.): 2 

Westward dead blow hammer

Head Weight: 37oz 

C Clamps

Makita BO5041 Random Orbit Sander