The Sun City West Wood Workers Club is a social club for Sun City West members of the Recreation Center and operates under a set of bylaws approved by the Sun City West Recreation Center Board Bylaws. It is a place to make items out of wood and have a great time doing it. The club building has over 6,000 square feet filled with state-of-the-art woodworking power equipment and hand tools. Located behind the Kuentz Recreation Center in Sun City West at the corner of R.H. Johnson and Stardust Blvd. It is not a production facility where members can make items to sell to the public. We can accommodate both experienced wood workers and novices with training classes.
If you would like a tour of the facility, come to the wood shop and just inside the front door is a window where the Tool Crib attendant will arrange for someone to take you around. Safety glasses are required but can be provided at no charge.
The Wood Workers Club makes a big effort to hold social events every few months. Our members enjoy picnics, holiday parties, happy hours, potlucks and socials. Check out our event calendar for specific dates. General membership meetings are held on the first Tuesday of the month at 1 pm (except for June, July and Aug). The Wood shop closes at noon that day to facilitate the meeting attendance and to allow for hands-on training of new members in the Orientation Class.
Anyone who wants to become a member of the Wood Workers Club must take a 3 – day orientation course; these sessions are usually held on the first Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of each month – see the Wood Workers Club calendar for dates. Club Event Calendar.
The club offers over a dozen training classes on such topics as turning on the lathe, making a raised panel door, how to use the CNC software and hardware, etc. for a nominal fee to cover the cost of materials. You can pay the fee with a credit card and register online by looking up the class in under the “Classes and Training” tab or just click –> Catalog of Classes or by going to the Club Calendar on the web site under “Quick Links” in the upper right-hand corner of the main page or click –> Club Event Calendar.
For additional details on being a new member see -> New Member Orientation
There is a suggestion box in that same hallway. If you have a good idea to share, fill out a form and put it in the box. Your suggestion will be discussed at the next board meeting.
One of your responsibilities as a Wood Workers Club member is safety. Always wear safety glasses in the tool room. Always. When using a lathe, always wear a face shield. Do not wear gloves. Do not wear sleeves that extend below the elbow; if they are longer, roll them up. Extra fabric like sleeves and gloves can get caught in the machines and pull you in with them. Body parts wreak havoc with the machinery. Please keep all living matter where it belongs, on your body. If your hair is long, tie it back, for the same reason.
Appropriate footwear must be worn while in the shop. Closed toed shoes are a must. Sandals are not allowed for obvious reasons.
If you aren’t sure how to use a machine or are rusty since shop class, please ask another member for help. We all need help and are happy to assist.
There are some logical concerns about the use of chemicals, sprays and mixtures in the assembly room. Please consult one of the senior board members for guidance on their use.