Artist is using electric welding to weld large flat aluminum sheet.

Studio

CAFAC’s studio programs provide access to three well-equipped and maintained shop areas, known as the industrial floor, the mezzanine, and the salon. Together, these three areas are outfitted to support artists working in blacksmithing, welding and metal fabrication, mold-making and foundry, jewelry, lampworking and stained glass, vitreous enameling, and neon bending.

You'll find a wealth of tools, equipment, instruction, resources, and networking, as well as a supportive and creative community at CAFAC.

Learn more about CAFAC’s shop and equipment.

Are you seeking an artist/fabricator to create a custom piece or do a repair?
The CCC: Craftsperson Commission Connection can help! Learn about it here and fill out the form—we’ll hook you up with someone who has the skills you need.

 
 
 
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Visit the Shop

We’re here weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and happy to show you around! Get in touch to set something up or ask questions about shop access programs. You can also join one of our quarterly facility tours.

 
 

Studio Programs

 

Shop Equipment

 
 

Industrial Floor

The industrial floor is home to our welding and metal fabrication, blacksmithing, metal casting, and enameling programs. Here’s a partial list of industrial floor equipment:

Blacksmithing
Propane gas forges | 100 pound anvils | KA75 power hammer | Hossfeld bender

Metal Casting
Blast furnaces and crucibles for bronze and aluminum | Chemical-bonded sand, greensand, and ceramic shell molding | Wax-working equipment | Needlescaler | Patina chemicals

Welding & Metal Fabrication
Oxy-actyelene, MIG, and TIG welders | Upright and horizontal bandsaws | Angle and bench grinders | Band sanders | Handheld plasma cutter | CNC plasma cutting table

And also
Large-scale enameling kiln | 2-ton capacity forklift | Positionable point-of-source fume extractors | Ambient and backdraft ventilation units | Sandblaster

 

mezzanine

The mezzanine is where smaller scale work takes place, including jewelry-making and neon bending. Here’s a partial list of mezzanine equipment:

Jewelry-making
Foredom flex shafts with oxy-fuel torches | Rotary tumblers | Rolling mill | Metal clay & enameling kiln | Vacuum & centrifugal casters

Neon
Ribbon burners | Crossfire burners | Hand-held two-point torches

And also
Positionable point-of-source fume extractor

 

SALON

The salon is located next door to our main building, at 3741 Chicago Ave. It's home to our glass and encaustic programs. Here's a partial list of equipment in the salon:

Lampwork & Stained Glass
Carlisle Mini CC dual-gas torches | Annealing kiln | Soldering irons and glass cutting tools | Glass grinder | Light table | Lampworking tools

And also
Point-of-source fume extractors

 
 
 
I used to think the most important aspects of a a studio were the facilities and equipment available, now I know that a studio is about so much more than that. A studio like CAFAC comes with a community, a family, an amazing support system that keeps each of us going through the inevitable struggles of being an artist.
— Becca Cerra, studio renter