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Garage Lab

Training & Access
Work Permit
Borrow Something

The Garage Lab and Tool Library (Levine 166A) is available to all students at Penn.

Prospective users must first sign up for training, using the Training & Access form linked above. Trainings are scheduled at set intervals during the semester based on availability. Attending the training does not grant access to all equipment, nor does it grant swipe access to the room. The room is only accessible during staffed hours. You have to knock on the door; we keep the main door closed to be polite to the various offices in that section of the building.

Once trained, you must complete a Work Permit. To submit a Work Permit you must do TWO things:

  1. Fill out the Work Permit form linked above
  2. Email garagelab@seas.upenn.edu with PDF copies of your sketches, engineering drawings, or other supporting documentation

This email requires a subject line with the following format: FirstName_LastName_GarageApproval_ProjectName_YYYY-MM-DD (Example, Peter_Bruno_GarageApproval_WindTurbineBracket_2022-05-27). Failure to complete the form and submit the documentation appropriately will result in immediate denial and demand for resubmission.

You are not required to submit full technical engineering drawings. However, you must submit appropriate sketches, pictures, doodles, etc. Examples include: drawings generated from a CAD program like SolidWorks, a picture of the part you are trying to make a duplicate of, and/or a sketch you made on paper last night at 2 am.

You will get email confirmation that your work is approved, then you can come during staffed hours and we will help you get what you need!

Trained users may borrow tools to use in or around campus for any number of reasons (academic work, research work, academic clubs, or personal projects). However your project must be approved through the Garage Work Permit system.

The list of tools available for borrowing include:

  • Screwdrivers
  • Hammers
  • Wire Cutters and Strippers
  • Drills
  • Impact Drivers
  • Rotary tools (Dremels)
  • Orbital Sanders

The list of tools available for use in the room include all of the loanable tools as well as the following below:

  • Belt Sanders
  • Drill Press
  • Bandsaw
  • Miter Saw
  • Buffing Wheel
  • Sandblasting Cabinet

 

Staffed Hours