Architecture Facilities

The Model Shop

The Architecture Model Shop provides an excellent opportunity for motivated students to develop their ideas and transform drawings into three-dimensional objects.

The architecture department employs two full-time staff members (both accomplished woodworkers) whose primary objective is to provide students with help and advice on the best ways to safely realize their designs. The Model Shop staff also strives to provide a safe, clean working environment with well-maintained machinery and adequate bench space.

The Facility

Our machines and workbenches are housed in room 13 Stuckeman Family Building. A central dust collection unit is connected to the stationary machinery and two down draft tables are available for sanding operations.

OUR STAFF: Shop Supervisor Allan Sutley is a 1995 Penn State graduate with a B.F.A. in sculpture. His experiences while a student working in Penn State’s Art Shop have given him insight into the student perspective and the desire to operate the shop in a way that maximizes learning opportunities. Technician Randall Hall brings a wealth of real-world experience to the Model Shop. He draws on his carpentry and furniture-making background to advise students on methods of making.

Safety Measures and Training

All students must attend a shop safety orientation before they are allowed to use the shop facilities. Students are given an eighteen-page, illustrated safety manual (theirs to keep) that covers Model Shop rules and procedures, general shop safety, and safe operating instructions for specific machines. During the orientation, the manual is explained in detail and proper techniques are demonstrated. Immediately following the safety orientation, we assign a training exercise (one-week duration). Each student is given detailed instructions and materials to make a small box. The design of the box requires the use of many different machines. After the students have completed their box and passed a written test, they are allowed to use the shop to realize their own designs. At least one member of the shop staff is available for help and consultation anytime the shop is open.

Our Hours

Normal hours of operation during the spring and fall semesters are:

  • Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 9:50 p.m.
  • Friday, 9:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  • Saturday CLOSED
  • Sunday, 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 9:50 p.m.

Our Machinery and Tools

Planers:

  • Delta DC-580 20" - Model 22-450
  • Gustafson & Scott Mfg. Co. 16" jointer - Model "The Porter"

Saws:

  • Powermatic 10" table saw - Model 66
  • Delta 14" wood cutting band saws (2) - Model 28-280
  • Laguna Tools 16" resawing band saw - Model LT16HD
  • Laguna Tools 14” band saw - Model LT14
  • Delta 12" radial arm saw - Model 33-890
  • Dewalt 12" miter saw - Model DW705
  • Delta 18" variable speed scroll saw - Model 40-601
  • RBI Hawk 20" variable speed scroll saw - Model 220 VS

Sanders:

  • RBI 37" drum sander - Model 438
  • Delta 6" belt and 12" disk, abrasive finishing machine - Model 31-730
  • Powermatic 6" belt and 12" disk, abrasive finishing machine - Model 31
  • Delta oscillating spindle sander - Model 31-780
  • Delta 1" sander/grinder - Model 31-355

Drill Presses:

  • Delta 15" variable speed drill press - Model 15-350, VS6
  • Delta 16 1/2" variable speed drill press - Model 17-990X

Other Power Equipment:

  • Delta 12" variable speed wood lathe - Model 46-22
  • Delta midi lathe - Model 46-250
  • Powermatic hollow chisel mortiser - Model 719
  • Multico hollow chisel mortiser - Model PM16 Freud router table
  • Precix 3-axis CNC router

Sheet metal tools:

  • 42" shear
  • 42" roller
  • 60" brake

We also have a good selection of hand tools and hand-held power tools, including drills; random orbital, belt, and palm sanders; routers, and jigsaws.