When I was doing the Christmas market rounds last month, I got to have a lot of really fun conversations. One question that people kept asking me was—is there anywhere I can learn woodworking in Toronto?
I first got into woodworking through communal spaces, so I'm somewhat familiar with the woodshop scene in the city (as well as how it's changed over the last decade!). I was able to hopefully get some people connected, and figured it would make a nice start to the new year to share some links here as well.
As such, here are some relatively affordable woodworking options in this beautiful and wretchedly expensive city.
TTLMakerspace (Downtown)
Of course, I can't write a list like this without mentioning Toronto Tool Library. I used to volunteer with them years ago when the Danforth location was running! Good memories. It's actually where I made my first few woodworking projects. They have a sweet little lower-level shop in the CSI Spadina building, a handy tool library (starting at 55/year) right in the same space, and a strong maker community.
TTLMakerspace offers classes on traditional woodwork, CNC, and lasercutting, at a few hundred/course, as well as a monthly membership for the communal woodshop (88/month). I know someone who recently took the CNC course and really learned a lot. Heavy discount on the monthly membership for those over 65.
- 192 Spadina Avenue
- support@ttlmakerspace.com
- $88/month
Franklin Horner Community Centre (Etobicoke)
A bit of a hidden gem in Etobicoke, near-ish Kipling and Lakeshore. They have a spacious, well-stocked community woodshop, and also offer a set of introductory classes that are about 18 hours each. It's a non-supervised shop, but there are almost always a few friendly faces around. Annual fee is 390, which gets you daily access to a machine room, a small finishing room, and two large assembly rooms. The class fees are also in the 350-400 range, and a great foundational intro.
- 432 Horner Avenue
- $390/year lump sum, prorated
- Info on how to join (Click the link that says "Woodshop Info Please click here" and it will download a .docx file with information)
Toronto Craft (Leslieville)
This is a newer organization with more of a studio vibe, and is the farthest east of any of the orgs on this list. I mentioned them to one of my customers in December, who ended up signing up for a class—very excited for him, and I hope it's a great experience! No 'shared woodshop space' but a variety of woodworking and leatherworking classes, starting at around 75. Located in Leslieville, in that old industrial building at 388 Carlaw, yes, the one with the never-ending basement.
- 388 Carlaw Avenue, Unit 200A
- Classes ranging from $75 to $335
- Sign up on website
Site3 Collaboratory (Christie Pits)
A very cool space—I haven't visited since well before the pandemic started, but a friend took a welding workshop here a couple years ago and had a great time. Woodworking, metalworking, electronics, a little bit of grunge (complimentary), all sorts of random interesting projects, and from what I remember, a group of very friendly and incredibly smart people.
-
718 R Ossington Ave
-
$60/month
- Weekly Open House/In-person Sign-up Thursdays 7-10pm
Who knows, maybe this is your sign to check out a course, or look into a shared crafting space?
Happy new year!