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Physics Machine Shops

  • Last modification date Updated On February 28, 2024

The Physics machine shops are open to Course 8 undergraduates and graduate students studying with the department of physics or an affiliated group, and faculty who want to use the shop for the purposes relating to education. We ask that anyone wishing to use the shop observe proper safety including participating in training or working directly with a shop supervisor. 

Location and Hours

The Student Machine Shop is located at 6-214, next to the walkway to the second floor of 6C, and is available for supervised use by students and staff with appropriate training.

The shop is in a state of hibernation but is available, along with the “Faculty” Wood and Metal shops 6-210 and 6-212, on an ad-hoc basis for supervised work related to educational needs (Junior Lab projects, Physics Education Group UROP projects, physics staff/faculty projects) – or for borrowing tools.

Currently the shop supervisor is Christopher Miller (bowties@mit.edu)

Physics Shop Rules

In order to use the shops you MUST follow all safety guidelines and procedures. Failure to do so will result in either a warning or termination of shop privilege at the discretion of the shop supervisor or manager. 

Shop safety rules are in line with institute-wide EHS shop safety rules. The Physics-specific rules are an extension of the EHS rules, which are always in effect. A good (and fun) video summary of the EHS shop safety regulations can be found here and they are listed in slightly more detail below. Additional information on shop and makerspace safety can be found in MIT’s Standard Operating Guidelines.

MIT SHOP SAFETY RULES

Personal Safety:

  • Always dress appropriately:
    • No loose clothing- Ties, scarves, loose sleeves, jewelry etc. are prohibited.
    • Wear appropriate shoes- No sandals, open shoes, or heels
    • Always tie back long hair, including long beards, such that it is not able to hang in front of face/neck.
  • Use the required personal protective equipment (PPE):
    • Everyone must wear safety glasses while in the shop.
    • No gloves while machining.
    • Wear disposable gloves when working with adhesives.

Shop Environment: Housekeeping Best Practices:

  • Prevent slip/trip hazards: wipe up any spills immediately.
  • Clean up work area: leave the shop cleaner than you found it
  • Maintain clear aisles and orderly storage of stock and supplies.

Shop Environment: Don’ts:

  • DO NOT WORK ALONE! Always use the buddy system.
  • Do not remove, displace or damage a machine guard
  • Do not leave machines running unattended.
  • Do not prop open doors to the studio or shop or do anything to defeat the locks.
  • Do not throw hazardous materials in the regular trash. Ask how to dispose of something if you are unsure.

Self Awareness: Machine Operation

  • Safety is our top priority in the shop, if you have questions, please ASK!
  • Never use a machine or power tool until you have been trained and are knowledgeable on its safe use.
  • Use brushes, hooks, shop vacuums, or other tools to remove chips and shavings. Never use hands, fingers or compressed air.
  • Always keep fingers and hands clear of the point of operation by using push sticks, hooks, and pliers, as appropriate.
  • Assess and appreciate the machines:
    • Know which parts move, which are stationary, and which are sharp.
    • Double check that your workpiece is securely held.
    • Always remember to remove chuck keys and wrenches.
    • Be familiar with the e-stop location and function

Self Awareness: Safe Conduct in the Shop:

  • Do not become distracted or distract someone else while operating shop tools.
  • If you are fatigued, take a break.
  • Know your resources: Who is in charge of the shop? Shop specific rules? Operator’s manuals?
  • Listen to the machine. If something doesn’t sound right, turn it off and tag it, “Out of Service”
    • Make a note of what happened and contact the shop supervisor or manager to inform them of the issue

Universal:

  • It is a privilege to work in MIT shops, violations of these rules may result in the loss of privilege to work in MIT shops.
  • Always remember, the best safety device is between our ears!

PHYSICS SHOP SAFETY RULES
  • Dress appropriately for shop work and wear appropriate PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) when in the shop.
  • Conduct yourself calmly and keep your wits about you. Working in an agitated or hurried state is never a good idea. Work slowly enough to double check your actions. Not only does haste make waste, it can be extremely dangerous in the shop.
  • Only use tools that you are trained on and familiar with. Be aware of the hazards associated with a given tool, as well as potential failure modes. Assess the machines before and during your work.
  • Do your part to keep the shop clean and organized, for the safety and sanity of all shop members. Nothing should be brought into or taken out of the shop without explicit permission from the shop manager.
  • If you have questions or are uncertain, ASK!
  • The shops may be used between 8am and 10pm, with appropriate supervision. They are not to be open or used outside of those times.
  • If there is any problem with a tool, or with anything else in the shop, notify the shop manager as soon as possible (within 12 hours).
  • No one may use powered
    • Supervised work policy:
      • Novice users, or those not familiar with a particular piece of equipment, must work directly with the shop manager or supervisor. If the manager or supervisor does not feel comfortable working with that user, they can request that the user acquire more training.
      • If a shop manager or supervisor is present, a trained and experienced user can work without direct oversight
      • Shop managers or supervisors may use machine tools if another person is present, as long as that person is aware of basic shop safety procedures
      • Shop managers may work alone when powered or cutting tools are not in use 

Become a Member

The shop is currently in a state of hibernation. You can also join the course8studentshop mailing list for announcements and updates.

For reference, here’s our most recent system:

Use of the Physics Educational Shop is reserved for individuals affiliated with the MIT Physics Department as students or employees. There are several initial steps for new users:

  1. ​Read and understand the shop rules and policies
  2. Take and pass the tier-zero quiz on shop safety and etiquette
  3. Attend an in-person orientation with the shop manager
  4. Read and sign the new member agreement, and return the signed copy to the shop manager

To use the shops, members must have adequate training to operate the machines safely. Completion of the steps listed above do not qualify a user to work in the shop. Novices can attend open shop hours and may learn under direct supervision of the shop manager or a shop supervisor, but cannot use the machines until sufficiently trained.

Tools and Education

Tool Resources

The first in a series of instructive videos on using several common machine tools, produced here at MIT, can be found here. They have good information for both beginners and experienced machinists, and are recommended for anyone interested in the use of machine tools. There is also an interesting MIT website about some materials properties and physics as they pertain to MIT’s shops here. 

Manual Mill Resources

Manual Lathe Resources

Available equipment: The physics machine shop has manually controlled standalone cutting tools: mills, lathes, drill presses, and bandsaws. Additionally, the student shop has manual sheet metal tools.

Below is a summary of equipment available for use in the student shops. Several of these are covered by the institute Machine Shop SOP (certificates required).

Large machine tools

Floor-standing/mounted manual tools

  • Press
  • Punch
  • Bender
  • Brake
  • Angle Cutter
  • (Small Sheet metal cutter)

Hand Power Tools

  • Hand Sander
  • Hand drill

Hand Tools

  • Tap and Die sets 
  • Hammers
  • Hack Saws
  • Files
  • Clamps
  • Vises