The Rent-a-Bench Program

Replace your screen time with bench time!


Our Community Woodworking Shop is a great place to work on your project! We have tools, workbenches, shave horses, power tools and machines, including a 24″ industrial-strength planer (see a full list of our tools below). We do ask you to sign a waiver beforehand or on-site, which can be accessed here: https://tearcapworkshops.org/waiver-and-release-of-liability/

Please make an appointment for your time in the shop by contacting us at 207-625-3396 or by email at info@tearcapworkshops.org

Rent-a-Bench Rates:

Hourly: $10

Daily: $60

Reduced rates for low or fixed incomes are available upon request.


If you would like guidance with your project, please contact us to schedule a private lesson at $20 per hour. There is the option to schedule a private lesson for an hour or two, and then switch to Rent-a-Bench time at $10 per hour once you get the hang of it.

You can bring your own wood, or purchase some from us. Please call ahead to see what we have in stock.

Community Woodworking Shop Protocols:

  • Safety. We can help you choose the right tool and operate it safely if you are unsure.
  • No smoking anywhere on Tear Cap property.
  • No reclaimed wood. Due to damage to the equipment, risk of embedded nails, screws, grit and concerns around lead paint exposure, we do not allow reclaimed wood in the shop.
  • Some varieties of exotic wood are highly toxic and cannot be used in the Community Woodworking Shop. The shop staff will assist you in determining whether the exotic wood product is safe for the community space.
  • You can bring or purchase from us sandpaper, glue, screws, and nails. (Please be sure to label them with your name if bringing your own.)
  • We (and our insurer) do not allow painting or chemical finishing in the shop. We remind everyone that oily rags and flammable liquids need to be handled with extreme caution.

Equipment list:

24″ Planer

13″ Planer

10″ SawStop Tablesaw with a 32″ side extension

Unisaw Tablesaw

Panel saw (4′ crosscut)

Lathe and turning tools

Drill press

Scroll saw

6″ Joiner

Stationary sander

2 sliding crosscut saws

Bandsaw

1/4 table router

Shaper

Kreg Jig

Jigsaws

Sanders

Skill Saws

Routers

Multi tool

Drills

Grinders

Tormec Sharpening Wheel

4′ Brake

Hand tools:

Marking and Measuring: Squares, bevel gauges, transom points, chalk lines, straightedges

Hammers, mallets

Saws: all types

Chisels

Clamps

Drawknives

Brace and Bit

Hatchets

Spokeshaves

Screwdrivers

Awls

Shavehorses

Hand planes

Scrapers