What is the-machine-shop
It's an open access engineering workshop
But ran like a gym. We replaced the tread mill with a metal mill and the smiths machine with a welding machine. You can have a day pass, a months pass or a membership.
We have all kinds of tools you can use.
Whether you're new to engineering or a professional we have all the equipment you could want. Check out our equipment list.
Come and go as you please.
Our opening times are set to accommodate the normal person who works a 9-5 and likes to enjoy their passions in the evenings and weekends. We are open until 11pm every night of the week. Please give us some notice if you plan to visit :)
We also teach.
We offer a range of welding classes to suit most needs. They're super informal and great fun. We teach you what you want to learn by looking at your end goal and replicating it within the class to give you the best chance. Think of it as a one-on-one welding bootcamp. See "classes" at the top of this page for more info.
We have staff and members from all walks of life.
Our customer base is primarily made up from the surrounding automotive factories and design offices but we also have a lot of racers not to mention hobbyists too.
Skip the next bit and show me the tools
The staff.
Our staff are also primarily made up of engineers, technicians and fabricators from the surrounding automotive factories and design offices . There is a huge knowledge base here and asking stupid questions is encouraged.
Irish Bob
Bob is our welding and fabrication instructor.
There really isn't much that he can't build or fix (after he broke it first) He's been building bikes for quite some time.
Bob previously managed a team of fabricators who made race bike tanks and chassis ridden by the likes of Josh Brookes, Davo Johnson, Peter Hickman, John McGuiness among others.
(Despite his terrifying appearance, he's actually friendly!)
Kevin Kennedy
Kev. Senior design engineer. Good on the spanners, better on the CAD even better on a dirtbike! He is here most nights and will help you out with any questions you have on general engineering, Cerakote or powdercoating.
Jason Moore
I’ve been professionally working with motorcycles for the last 5 years, however I've been riding from the age of 7 and around bikes my entire life. Working part time as a mechanic at TT, BSB & WSBK rounds has helped to widen my skill set around a bike and has been a welcome break from the day job working in prototype development at Triumph Motorcycles.
I am proud to have been heavily involved in building 5 top 10 finishing TT superbikes for Norton as well as receiving positive feedback on my workmanship from both factory Ducati corse engineers, and fellow team members alike at WSBK rounds.
In my spare time I enjoy tinkering with my own project bikes or spending time outdoors hiking, climbing, cycling etc.
(How’s that? Hate having to write about myself, feel like a proper bellend 🤮,)
Gary Birtwistle. Sponsored rider - 2019 UK and European Hooligan Flat track Champion
Gary Birtwistle has retained his title as the UK Hooligan flat track champion, claiming not only the UK title but also the European after a stunning display at the Greenfield Dirt track oval.
The Greenfield Dirttrack, home of UK Dirt Track Racing, was the final in the UK and European championships. With an entry list of over 150 riders travelling from all areas of the globe: Italy, Spain, Germany, Switzerland, France, Holland and the UK.
Birtwistle was again riding his 2018 championship winning Ducati Scrambler Icon modified by Mike Hill at Survivor Customs, with support from Ducati UK, The Bike Shed and The-Machine-Shop.