Maintaining a Safe, Supportive, and Productive Workbench
The Winona Modelers Guild brings together craftspeople across all modeling disciplines—including trains, planes, automobiles, dynamic RC, and tabletop miniatures. To ensure our alternating Show & Tell meetings and collaborative Guild Workshops remain welcoming, professional, and safe for builders of all backgrounds and skill levels, all members and guests are expected to adhere to the following guidelines.
1. The Inclusive Workbench (Multi-Genre Respect)
- Value Every Discipline: We are a multi-genre guild. A masterfully weathered model railroad boxcar requires the same level of dedication as a pristine automotive glossy finish or a highly detailed aircraft cockpit. No modeling genre is superior to another.
- Constructive Critique Only: During Show & Tell sessions, offer feedback that builds up the modeler. Focus on technique, historical accuracy, or problem-solving. Avoid dismissive or purely negative commentary.
- Encourage Beginners: We actively welcome newcomers to the hobby. Share your knowledge freely, offer mentorship willingly, and treat basic questions with patience and respect.
2. Workshop Safety & Ventilation (Build Nights)
- Chemical Restrictions: Because we meet in a shared community space, the use of highly toxic, heavy-odor solvents, lacquers, or volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is strictly prohibited. Airbrushing at the bench is restricted to low-odor acrylic paints unless a dedicated, ventilated spray booth is provided by the Guild.
- Tool Etiquette: Never handle, pick up, or use another member’s precision tools, airbrushes, or active work-in-progress kits without their explicit permission. Many modeling tools are highly fragile and custom-tuned.
- Sharps & Disposal: All used hobby knife blades, razor saws, and broken needles must be disposed of safely in a designated sharps container. Never throw exposed blades directly into general waste bins.
- Power & Cord Management: If your build setup requires power (dremels, soldering irons, desk lamps), ensure all power cords are taped down or routed safely along table legs to prevent tripping hazards.
3. Workspace Care & Cleanliness
- Surface Protection: You must protect the venue’s tables. A self-healing cutting mat or a dedicated portable workbench protector is required at your station before unpacking any kits, glues, or paints.
- Spill Prevention: All liquid cements, washes, and cyanoacrylate (CA) glues must be stored in stable, spill-proof holders or capped immediately after use.
- Leave No Trace: Allocate the final 15 minutes of every Guild Workshop night to cleaning your station. Gather plastic sprue clippings, sanding dust, and paint residue. The space must be left as clean as, or cleaner than, we found it.
4. Meeting Conduct & General Etiquette
- Hands-Off the Display: When items are placed on the Show & Tell table, look with your eyes, not your hands. Never touch a finished model or work-in-progress unless the builder explicitly invites you to handle it.
- Punctuality: Arrive on time for the formal business and presentation segments out of respect for our guest speakers and coordinators.
- Commercial Transactions: While members are welcome to trade or sell kits from their personal stashes (swap meets), the Guild is a non-commercial space. Aggressive selling or running personal retail storefronts during meeting hours is prohibited.