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METAL FABRICATION & EVENTS

    • Monday, August 17, 2026
    • Monday, August 24, 2026
    • 3 sessions
    • 1130 8th St E Owen Sound, ON N4K5N8
    • 1
    Register


    ️Intro to Manual Machining – Lathe & Knee Mill

    https://www.greybrucemakers.ca/event-6779530

    Cost: $199 + HST
    Date(s): Monday, August 17th, Wednesday, August 19th & Monday, August 24th 2026 — 6:00-9:00PM
    Workshop: Metal Shop (Machine Bay)
    Maximum Participants: 4

    Course Description

    Curious about the art and precision of machining? This hands-on course introduces you to the manual metal lathe and vertical knee mill, two essential tools for shaping and fabricating custom metal parts. You’ll gain a foundational understanding of how these machines work and learn to safely turn, drill, mill, and cut components to size.

    Whether you're exploring machining for prototyping, repair, or creative builds, this course gives you the confidence and skill to take your ideas into the world of precision metal shaping.

    Key Learnings

    Safety & PPE:

    • Hazards of rotating machinery: flying debris, sharp edges, and noise

    • Proper use of safety glasses, steel-toe shoes, and hearing protection

    • Importance of fitted clothing — no loose sleeves, jewelry, or neckwear

    Machine Overview & Parts:

    • Lathe: Headstock, chuck, carriage, cross slide, compound rest, tailstock, tool post

    • Knee Mill: Column, base, table, spindle, vise, hand wheels, vertical crank

    • Functions and controls of each component

    Techniques You'll Practice:

    • Turning parts to precise diameter

    • Drilling with the tailstock

    • Parting off, cutting threads, machining tapers and angles

    • Calculating RPM using cutting speed formulas

    • Milling flat surfaces, keyways, and drilled holes in shafts

    • Cutting a flat surface on round stock

    ✅ Prerequisites

    Basic understanding of shop safety recommended.

    What to Wear

    • Steel-toe boots

    • Safety glasses (provided or bring your own)

    • Fitted, non-synthetic clothing (cotton or denim preferred)

    • Hair tied back; no jewelry or loose accessories

    What to Bring

    • Notebook and pen

    • Water bottle

    • All tools and materials provided

    ‍ About Your Instructor

    Iain Campbell is a retired mechanical engineer with over four decades of experience in machining and engineering design. He cut his first CNC project 40 years ago and has since built a career that bridges hands-on manufacturing with technical training. For 25 years, Iain worked as a Technical Trainer at IBM, where he taught operating systems, systems and network administration, Python, SQL, and server security. Now CNC Manager at Upper Canada Stretchers — a company serving professional artists worldwide — he continues to combine precision, creativity, and practical instruction. Iain’s deep knowledge of machining fundamentals and approachable teaching style make him an excellent guide for anyone starting out in the machine shop.

    • Saturday, August 29, 2026
    • 10:00 AM
    • Sunday, August 30, 2026
    • 2:00 PM
    • 1130 8th St East Owen Sound, ON N4K 5N8
    • 4
    Register


    DECORATIVE WELDING

    Cost: $379 + HST
    Date: Saturday, August 29th &  Sunday August 30th, 2026 — 10:00 AM–2:00 PM
    Workshop: Metal Shop (Weld Bay)
    Maximum Participants: 4

    https://greybrucemakers.ca/event-6779546

    Course Description

    Artistic Welding Workshop

    $379 + tax | 2 Sessions of Creative Firepower

    Get ready to spark your imagination (and a few arcs)! In this 2-session intensive workshop, you’ll dive into the world of artistic welding—where heat, steel, and creativity collide. Whether you’re brand new to metalwork or already a maker looking to level up, this hands-on experience will leave you fired up and full of new skills.

    Here’s what you’ll be playing with (safely, of course):

    - MIG welding basics and beyond
    - Metal shaping and texturing using hammers, and jigs
    - Cutting, grinding, fitting, and bending steel into creative form
    - Proper and safe use of power tools and welding equipment

    This is not a certification course—this is where your metal art journey begins. You’ll walk away with new skills, new confidence, and probably a few sparks on your boots (okay, hopefully not literally).

    Small group size = plenty of instructor time and guidance tailored to your experience level. Let us know your background when you register—we’ll meet you where you’re at and help you grow from there.

    Prerequisites: No prior welding experience is necessary. This workshop is suitable for beginners who want to learn basic welding techniques in a short amount of time.

    Equipment: All necessary welding equipment and materials will be provided, including a MIG welder, welding helmet, gloves, and welding wire. Participants are encouraged to wear long-sleeved cotton clothing and closed-toe shoes for safety.

    Participants will be given the choice from 3 fun artistic projects to create. 

    1. A decorative garden stake

    2. A Metal Bird Sculpture

    3. A hanging metal Sculpture.

     

    Key Learnings

    • Understand MIG welding equipment, shielding gas, and wire feed systems

    • Learn essential safety practices, PPE use, and fire prevention

    • Practice tack welds, butt joints, and fillet welds on steel

    Prerequisites

    None — this is a CORE introductory welding course. No prior experience required.

    What to Wear

    • Long-sleeved, non-synthetic (cotton) clothing

    • Closed-toe leather or steel-toe shoes

    • No jewelry or exposed skin

    • Safety gear (helmet, gloves, jacket) is provided — feel free to bring your own

    What to Bring

    • Water bottle

    • Notebook and pen (optional)

    • All welding tools and materials are provided

    About Your Instructor

    Daniel Aloisio is a certified welder and instructor who blends technical skill with creative vision. With experience in MIG, TIG, and stick welding, as well as CNC machining and fabrication, he helps beginners see welding not just as a trade but as an art form. Daniel’s approachable teaching style and focus on safety empower students to transform raw steel into expressive works of sculpture.

    • Thursday, September 10, 2026
    • 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
    • 1130 8th Street East, Owen Sound, ON N4KV1
    • 3
    Register


    Learn to Weld – MIG Welding (GMAW)

    https://greybrucemakers.ca/event-6780063

    Cost: $189 + HST
    Date(s): Wednesday, September 10th 2026 5:30PM - 8:30PM

    Workshop: Metal Shop (Weld Bay)
    Maximum Participants: 4

    Course Description

    MIG Welding — also known as Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) — is one of the most versatile and beginner-friendly welding processes used in metal fabrication, construction, and manufacturing. In this three-hour hands-on workshop, you’ll learn welding fundamentals and gain practical experience making strong, clean welds.

    Led by professional welder and educator Jeff Mills, this workshop is designed for total beginners or hobbyists looking to take the first step into metalworking. You’ll leave with the foundational skills needed to weld safely and confidently.

    Key Learnings

    • Understand MIG welding equipment, shielding gas, and wire feed systems

    • Learn essential safety practices, PPE use, and fire prevention

    • Practice tack welds, butt joints, and fillet welds on steel

    • Control the welding arc, monitor weld quality, and troubleshoot common problems

    • Learn to recognize a good weld vs. a flawed weld

    ✅ Prerequisites

    None — this is a CORE introductory welding course. No prior experience required.

    What to Wear

    • Long-sleeved, non-synthetic (cotton) clothing

    • Closed-toe leather or steel-toe shoes

    • No jewelry or exposed skin

    • Safety gear (helmet, gloves, jacket) is provided — feel free to bring your own

    What to Bring

    • Water bottle

    • Notebook and pen (optional)

    • All welding tools and materials are provided

    ‍ About Your Instructor

    Jeff Mills is a certified welder/fabricator with nearly two decades of industry experience across residential, industrial, automotive, aerospace, and energy sectors. He’s taught welding and fabrication for Georgian College’s Red Seal Millwright Program and currently serves as an Academic Technologist with deep credentials, including:

    • CWB Level 1 Welding Inspector

    • TSSA certifications (6G position in SMAW & GTAW)

    • CWB tickets in SMAW, GMAW, MCAW, FCAW

    • Instructor in layout, blueprint reading, trade safety, and multiple welding processes

    Jeff brings a positive, practical, and deeply knowledgeable approach to his teaching and looks forward to building skills and confidence with each new class.

    • Monday, September 14, 2026
    • Saturday, September 19, 2026
    • 3 sessions
    • 1130 8th St E Owen Sound
    • 6
    Register

    Learn the CNC Plasma Cutter 

    https://greybrucemakers.ca/event-6784238

    Cost: $199 + HST
    Date(s):  Monday September 14th, Wednesday September 16th |6:30-9:00pm & Saturday September 19th | 10am-1pm

    Workshop: Classroom & Metal Shop
    Maximum Participants: 6

    NOTE: PREREQUISITE - INTRO to V-Carve

    Course Description

    Ready to turn digital designs into sparks and steel? This hands-on course introduces members to the powerful world of CNC Plasma Cutting using the metal shop’s precision CNC table and Vectric V-Carve Pro software.

    Over three guided sessions, you’ll learn how to prepare your files, safely operate the plasma cutter, and create high-quality metal parts, signs, and projects. This course is a required certification for independent use of the CNC Plasma Cutter at Grey Bruce Makers.

    Whether you’re designing brackets, art, signage, or components, this class will give you the knowledge and confidence to bring your ideas to life in metal.

    Key Learnings

    • Introduction to CNC plasma technology and its capabilities

    • Create and prepare cut paths using Vectric V-Carve Pro

    • Understand kerf, pierce points, and toolpath planning for plasma

    • Material types and how they affect settings and edge quality

    • Machine setup, safety checks, and G-code export

    • Safe operation of the GBM CNC Plasma Cutter

    • Troubleshooting tips and post-processing your cut parts

    ✅ Prerequisites

    PC (Windows laptop) required
    Basic computer skills necessary.

    What to Wear

    • Steel-toe boots

    • Flame-resistant, non-synthetic long-sleeved clothing (e.g., cotton, denim)

    • Safety glasses (provided or bring your own)

    • Welding gloves (provided or bring your own)

    • No jewelry or loose clothing

    What to Bring

    • Laptop with Vectric V-Carve Pro installed (trial available at vectric.com)

    • USB stick for file transfers

    • Notebook and pen

    • Water bottle

    • All other materials provided

    ‍ About Your Instructor

    David Trimbee is a builder, educator, and digital fabrication specialist with a passion for teaching precision tools to creative minds. With experience in both woodworking and metal fabrication, David brings patience, humor, and clarity to every class — helping you cut clean, cut smart, and cut safe.


    • Wednesday, September 23, 2026
    • Wednesday, September 30, 2026
    • 3 sessions
    • 1130 8th St E Owen Sound, ON N4K5N8
    • 4
    Register


    ️Intro to Manual Machining – Lathe & Knee Mill

    https://greybrucemakers.ca/event-6783973

    Cost: $199 + HST
    Date(s): Wednesday, September 23rd, Monday, September 28th & Wednesday, September 30th 2026 — 6:00-9:00PM
    Workshop: Metal Shop (Machine Bay)
    Maximum Participants: 4

    Course Description

    Curious about the art and precision of machining? This hands-on course introduces you to the manual metal lathe and vertical knee mill, two essential tools for shaping and fabricating custom metal parts. You’ll gain a foundational understanding of how these machines work and learn to safely turn, drill, mill, and cut components to size.

    Whether you're exploring machining for prototyping, repair, or creative builds, this course gives you the confidence and skill to take your ideas into the world of precision metal shaping.

    Key Learnings

    Safety & PPE:

    • Hazards of rotating machinery: flying debris, sharp edges, and noise

    • Proper use of safety glasses, steel-toe shoes, and hearing protection

    • Importance of fitted clothing — no loose sleeves, jewelry, or neckwear

    Machine Overview & Parts:

    • Lathe: Headstock, chuck, carriage, cross slide, compound rest, tailstock, tool post

    • Knee Mill: Column, base, table, spindle, vise, hand wheels, vertical crank

    • Functions and controls of each component

    Techniques You'll Practice:

    • Turning parts to precise diameter

    • Drilling with the tailstock

    • Parting off, cutting threads, machining tapers and angles

    • Calculating RPM using cutting speed formulas

    • Milling flat surfaces, keyways, and drilled holes in shafts

    • Cutting a flat surface on round stock

    ✅ Prerequisites

    Basic understanding of shop safety recommended.

    What to Wear

    • Steel-toe boots

    • Safety glasses (provided or bring your own)

    • Fitted, non-synthetic clothing (cotton or denim preferred)

    • Hair tied back; no jewelry or loose accessories

    What to Bring

    • Notebook and pen

    • Water bottle

    • All tools and materials provided

    ‍ About Your Instructor

    Iain Campbell is a retired mechanical engineer with over four decades of experience in machining and engineering design. He cut his first CNC project 40 years ago and has since built a career that bridges hands-on manufacturing with technical training. For 25 years, Iain worked as a Technical Trainer at IBM, where he taught operating systems, systems and network administration, Python, SQL, and server security. Now CNC Manager at Upper Canada Stretchers — a company serving professional artists worldwide — he continues to combine precision, creativity, and practical instruction. Iain’s deep knowledge of machining fundamentals and approachable teaching style make him an excellent guide for anyone starting out in the machine shop.

    • Thursday, September 24, 2026
    • 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
    • 1130 8th Street East, Owen Sound, ON N4KV1
    • 4
    Register


    Learn to Weld – MIG Welding (GMAW)

    https://greybrucemakers.ca/event-6804946

    Cost: $189 + HST
    Date(s): Wednesday, September 24th 2026 5:30PM - 8:30PM

    Workshop: Metal Shop (Weld Bay)
    Maximum Participants: 4

    Course Description

    MIG Welding — also known as Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) — is one of the most versatile and beginner-friendly welding processes used in metal fabrication, construction, and manufacturing. In this three-hour hands-on workshop, you’ll learn welding fundamentals and gain practical experience making strong, clean welds.

    Led by professional welder and educator Jeff Mills, this workshop is designed for total beginners or hobbyists looking to take the first step into metalworking. You’ll leave with the foundational skills needed to weld safely and confidently.

    Key Learnings

    • Understand MIG welding equipment, shielding gas, and wire feed systems

    • Learn essential safety practices, PPE use, and fire prevention

    • Practice tack welds, butt joints, and fillet welds on steel

    • Control the welding arc, monitor weld quality, and troubleshoot common problems

    • Learn to recognize a good weld vs. a flawed weld

    ✅ Prerequisites

    None — this is a CORE introductory welding course. No prior experience required.

    What to Wear

    • Long-sleeved, non-synthetic (cotton) clothing

    • Closed-toe leather or steel-toe shoes

    • No jewelry or exposed skin

    • Safety gear (helmet, gloves, jacket) is provided — feel free to bring your own

    What to Bring

    • Water bottle

    • Notebook and pen (optional)

    • All welding tools and materials are provided

    ‍ About Your Instructor

    Jeff Mills is a certified welder/fabricator with nearly two decades of industry experience across residential, industrial, automotive, aerospace, and energy sectors. He’s taught welding and fabrication for Georgian College’s Red Seal Millwright Program and currently serves as an Academic Technologist with deep credentials, including:

    • CWB Level 1 Welding Inspector

    • TSSA certifications (6G position in SMAW & GTAW)

    • CWB tickets in SMAW, GMAW, MCAW, FCAW

    • Instructor in layout, blueprint reading, trade safety, and multiple welding processes

    Jeff brings a positive, practical, and deeply knowledgeable approach to his teaching and looks forward to building skills and confidence with each new class.

    • Saturday, September 26, 2026
    • 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
    • 1130 8th Street East, Owen Sound, ON N4K 5N8
    • 9
    Register


    Intro to V-Carve with Iain Campbell

    https://greybrucemakers.ca/event-6782517

    Cost: $99
    Date(s): Saturday, September 26th, 2026 10:00 AM- 4:00PM
    Workshop: Classroom
    Instructor: Iain Campbell
    Max Students: 10

    Course Description

    Learn the fundamentals of V-Carve, the software that powers CNC design for both routers and plasma cutters. Guided by Iain Campbell, CNC Manager at Upper Canada Stretchers, this course introduces you to the essential functions needed to take a design from screen to machine. Through hands-on practice, you’ll gain the confidence to create, edit, and prepare projects for CNC production.

    Key Learnings

    • Creating a new file
    • Understanding sheets and layers
    • Basic geometry, lines, circles, ellipses
    • Editing entities, trimming, chamfers, fillets
    • Understanding vectors and bitmaps- Intro to simple 3D shapes

    Prerequisites

    No previous CNC or V-Carve experience is required. Beginners welcome.

    What to Wear

    Comfortable clothing suitable for a workshop environment. Safety glasses will be provided if required for demonstrations.

    What to Bring

    • A Windows laptop with V-Carve installed (trial or licensed version)

    • Notebook and pen for notes

    • Light lunch for break time

    Iain Campbell is CNC Manager at Upper Canada Stretchers, where he oversees the production of custom panels and structures for artists around the globe. A retired mechanical engineer, he cut his first CNC project 40 years ago and has since built expertise in blending design with advanced fabrication. His 25 years as an IBM Technical Trainer sharpened his ability to make complex systems clear and approachable, whether teaching shell scripting, Python, SQL, or digital workflows. Author of Reliable Linux (Wiley & Sons, 2002), Iain brings the same clarity and precision to his V-Carve instruction — guiding learners through design setup, toolpaths, and the skills needed to confidently turn digital ideas into physical creations.

    • Monday, October 19, 2026
    • Monday, October 26, 2026
    • 3 sessions
    • 1130 8th St E Owen Sound, ON N4K5N8
    • 4
    Register


    ️Intro to Manual Machining – Lathe & Knee Mill

    https://greybrucemakers.ca/event-6783979

    Cost: $199 + HST
    Date(s): Monday, October 19th, Wednesday, October 21st & Monday, October 26th 2026 — 6:00-9:00PM
    Workshop: Metal Shop (Machine Bay)
    Maximum Participants: 4

    Course Description

    Curious about the art and precision of machining? This hands-on course introduces you to the manual metal lathe and vertical knee mill, two essential tools for shaping and fabricating custom metal parts. You’ll gain a foundational understanding of how these machines work and learn to safely turn, drill, mill, and cut components to size.

    Whether you're exploring machining for prototyping, repair, or creative builds, this course gives you the confidence and skill to take your ideas into the world of precision metal shaping.

    Key Learnings

    Safety & PPE:

    • Hazards of rotating machinery: flying debris, sharp edges, and noise

    • Proper use of safety glasses, steel-toe shoes, and hearing protection

    • Importance of fitted clothing — no loose sleeves, jewelry, or neckwear

    Machine Overview & Parts:

    • Lathe: Headstock, chuck, carriage, cross slide, compound rest, tailstock, tool post

    • Knee Mill: Column, base, table, spindle, vise, hand wheels, vertical crank

    • Functions and controls of each component

    Techniques You'll Practice:

    • Turning parts to precise diameter

    • Drilling with the tailstock

    • Parting off, cutting threads, machining tapers and angles

    • Calculating RPM using cutting speed formulas

    • Milling flat surfaces, keyways, and drilled holes in shafts

    • Cutting a flat surface on round stock

    ✅ Prerequisites

    Basic understanding of shop safety recommended.

    What to Wear

    • Steel-toe boots

    • Safety glasses (provided or bring your own)

    • Fitted, non-synthetic clothing (cotton or denim preferred)

    • Hair tied back; no jewelry or loose accessories

    What to Bring

    • Notebook and pen

    • Water bottle

    • All tools and materials provided

    ‍ About Your Instructor

    Iain Campbell is a retired mechanical engineer with over four decades of experience in machining and engineering design. He cut his first CNC project 40 years ago and has since built a career that bridges hands-on manufacturing with technical training. For 25 years, Iain worked as a Technical Trainer at IBM, where he taught operating systems, systems and network administration, Python, SQL, and server security. Now CNC Manager at Upper Canada Stretchers — a company serving professional artists worldwide — he continues to combine precision, creativity, and practical instruction. Iain’s deep knowledge of machining fundamentals and approachable teaching style make him an excellent guide for anyone starting out in the machine shop.

    • Saturday, October 31, 2026
    • 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
    • 1130 8th Street East, Owen Sound, ON N4K 5N8
    • 10
    Register


    Intro to V-Carve with Iain Campbell

    https://greybrucemakers.ca/event-6782528

    Cost: $99
    Date(s): Saturday, October 31st, 2026 10:00 AM- 4:00PM
    Workshop: Classroom
    Instructor: Iain Campbell
    Max Students: 10

    Course Description

    Learn the fundamentals of V-Carve, the software that powers CNC design for both routers and plasma cutters. Guided by Iain Campbell, CNC Manager at Upper Canada Stretchers, this course introduces you to the essential functions needed to take a design from screen to machine. Through hands-on practice, you’ll gain the confidence to create, edit, and prepare projects for CNC production.

    Key Learnings

    • Creating a new file
    • Understanding sheets and layers
    • Basic geometry, lines, circles, ellipses
    • Editing entities, trimming, chamfers, fillets
    • Understanding vectors and bitmaps- Intro to simple 3D shapes

    Prerequisites

    No previous CNC or V-Carve experience is required. Beginners welcome.

    What to Wear

    Comfortable clothing suitable for a workshop environment. Safety glasses will be provided if required for demonstrations.

    What to Bring

    • A Windows laptop with V-Carve installed (trial or licensed version)

    • Notebook and pen for notes

    • Light lunch for break time

    Iain Campbell is CNC Manager at Upper Canada Stretchers, where he oversees the production of custom panels and structures for artists around the globe. A retired mechanical engineer, he cut his first CNC project 40 years ago and has since built expertise in blending design with advanced fabrication. His 25 years as an IBM Technical Trainer sharpened his ability to make complex systems clear and approachable, whether teaching shell scripting, Python, SQL, or digital workflows. Author of Reliable Linux (Wiley & Sons, 2002), Iain brings the same clarity and precision to his V-Carve instruction — guiding learners through design setup, toolpaths, and the skills needed to confidently turn digital ideas into physical creations.

    • Monday, November 09, 2026
    • Saturday, November 14, 2026
    • 3 sessions
    • 1130 8th St E Owen Sound
    • 6
    Register

    Learn the CNC Plasma Cutter 

    https://greybrucemakers.ca/event-6784288

    Cost: $199 + HST
    Date(s):  Monday November 9th, Wednesday November 11th |6:30-9:00pm & Saturday November 14th | 10am-1pm

    Workshop: Classroom & Metal Shop
    Maximum Participants: 6

    NOTE: PREREQUISITE - INTRO to V-Carve

    Course Description

    Ready to turn digital designs into sparks and steel? This hands-on course introduces members to the powerful world of CNC Plasma Cutting using the metal shop’s precision CNC table and Vectric V-Carve Pro software.

    Over three guided sessions, you’ll learn how to prepare your files, safely operate the plasma cutter, and create high-quality metal parts, signs, and projects. This course is a required certification for independent use of the CNC Plasma Cutter at Grey Bruce Makers.

    Whether you’re designing brackets, art, signage, or components, this class will give you the knowledge and confidence to bring your ideas to life in metal.

    Key Learnings

    • Introduction to CNC plasma technology and its capabilities

    • Create and prepare cut paths using Vectric V-Carve Pro

    • Understand kerf, pierce points, and toolpath planning for plasma

    • Material types and how they affect settings and edge quality

    • Machine setup, safety checks, and G-code export

    • Safe operation of the GBM CNC Plasma Cutter

    • Troubleshooting tips and post-processing your cut parts

    ✅ Prerequisites

    PC (Windows laptop) required
    Basic computer skills necessary.

    What to Wear

    • Steel-toe boots

    • Flame-resistant, non-synthetic long-sleeved clothing (e.g., cotton, denim)

    • Safety glasses (provided or bring your own)

    • Welding gloves (provided or bring your own)

    • No jewelry or loose clothing

    What to Bring

    • Laptop with Vectric V-Carve Pro installed (trial available at vectric.com)

    • USB stick for file transfers

    • Notebook and pen

    • Water bottle

    • All other materials provided

    ‍ About Your Instructor

    David Trimbee is a builder, educator, and digital fabrication specialist with a passion for teaching precision tools to creative minds. With experience in both woodworking and metal fabrication, David brings patience, humor, and clarity to every class — helping you cut clean, cut smart, and cut safe.


    • Monday, November 16, 2026
    • Monday, November 23, 2026
    • 3 sessions
    • 1130 8th St E Owen Sound, ON N4K5N8
    • 4
    Register


    ️Intro to Manual Machining – Lathe & Knee Mill

    https://greybrucemakers.ca/event-6783981

    Cost: $199 + HST
    Date(s): Monday, November 16th, Wednesday, November 18th & Monday, November 23rd, 2026 — 6:00-9:00PM
    Workshop: Metal Shop (Machine Bay)
    Maximum Participants: 4

    Course Description

    Curious about the art and precision of machining? This hands-on course introduces you to the manual metal lathe and vertical knee mill, two essential tools for shaping and fabricating custom metal parts. You’ll gain a foundational understanding of how these machines work and learn to safely turn, drill, mill, and cut components to size.

    Whether you're exploring machining for prototyping, repair, or creative builds, this course gives you the confidence and skill to take your ideas into the world of precision metal shaping.

    Key Learnings

    Safety & PPE:

    • Hazards of rotating machinery: flying debris, sharp edges, and noise

    • Proper use of safety glasses, steel-toe shoes, and hearing protection

    • Importance of fitted clothing — no loose sleeves, jewelry, or neckwear

    Machine Overview & Parts:

    • Lathe: Headstock, chuck, carriage, cross slide, compound rest, tailstock, tool post

    • Knee Mill: Column, base, table, spindle, vise, hand wheels, vertical crank

    • Functions and controls of each component

    Techniques You'll Practice:

    • Turning parts to precise diameter

    • Drilling with the tailstock

    • Parting off, cutting threads, machining tapers and angles

    • Calculating RPM using cutting speed formulas

    • Milling flat surfaces, keyways, and drilled holes in shafts

    • Cutting a flat surface on round stock

    ✅ Prerequisites

    Basic understanding of shop safety recommended.

    What to Wear

    • Steel-toe boots

    • Safety glasses (provided or bring your own)

    • Fitted, non-synthetic clothing (cotton or denim preferred)

    • Hair tied back; no jewelry or loose accessories

    What to Bring

    • Notebook and pen

    • Water bottle

    • All tools and materials provided

    ‍ About Your Instructor

    Iain Campbell is a retired mechanical engineer with over four decades of experience in machining and engineering design. He cut his first CNC project 40 years ago and has since built a career that bridges hands-on manufacturing with technical training. For 25 years, Iain worked as a Technical Trainer at IBM, where he taught operating systems, systems and network administration, Python, SQL, and server security. Now CNC Manager at Upper Canada Stretchers — a company serving professional artists worldwide — he continues to combine precision, creativity, and practical instruction. Iain’s deep knowledge of machining fundamentals and approachable teaching style make him an excellent guide for anyone starting out in the machine shop.

    • Saturday, November 28, 2026
    • 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
    • 1130 8th Street East, Owen Sound, ON N4K 5N8
    • 10
    Register


    Intro to V-Carve with Iain Campbell

    https://greybrucemakers.ca/event-6782535

    Cost: $99
    Date(s): Saturday, November 28th, 2026 10:00 AM- 4:00PM
    Workshop: Classroom
    Instructor: Iain Campbell
    Max Students: 10

    Course Description

    Learn the fundamentals of V-Carve, the software that powers CNC design for both routers and plasma cutters. Guided by Iain Campbell, CNC Manager at Upper Canada Stretchers, this course introduces you to the essential functions needed to take a design from screen to machine. Through hands-on practice, you’ll gain the confidence to create, edit, and prepare projects for CNC production.

    Key Learnings

    • Creating a new file
    • Understanding sheets and layers
    • Basic geometry, lines, circles, ellipses
    • Editing entities, trimming, chamfers, fillets
    • Understanding vectors and bitmaps- Intro to simple 3D shapes

    Prerequisites

    No previous CNC or V-Carve experience is required. Beginners welcome.

    What to Wear

    Comfortable clothing suitable for a workshop environment. Safety glasses will be provided if required for demonstrations.

    What to Bring

    • A Windows laptop with V-Carve installed (trial or licensed version)

    • Notebook and pen for notes

    • Light lunch for break time

    Iain Campbell is CNC Manager at Upper Canada Stretchers, where he oversees the production of custom panels and structures for artists around the globe. A retired mechanical engineer, he cut his first CNC project 40 years ago and has since built expertise in blending design with advanced fabrication. His 25 years as an IBM Technical Trainer sharpened his ability to make complex systems clear and approachable, whether teaching shell scripting, Python, SQL, or digital workflows. Author of Reliable Linux (Wiley & Sons, 2002), Iain brings the same clarity and precision to his V-Carve instruction — guiding learners through design setup, toolpaths, and the skills needed to confidently turn digital ideas into physical creations.

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Grey Bruce Makers is a not-for-profit organization supported by membership fees, course fees, sponsorships and donations. We are a proud regional centre for creativity and community.

Executive Director

Dan Herrick

226-974-7399

info@greybrucemakers.ca

1130 8th Street East, Owen Sound, ON
N4K 5N8
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