Learning at EOW
At Edinburgh Open Workshop, you can access the space through classes and workshops, no membership required.
We run practical sessions for all levels, from complete beginners through to more experienced makers developing specific skills.
Workshops cover a range of hands-on disciplines including woodworking, metalwork, welding, sewing, upholstery, pottery, DIY, and digital fabrication.
We also work with resident makers and tutors who host their own specialist workshops in the space throughout the year.
Everything is practical, hands-on, and takes place in the workshop.
Welcome to Edinburgh Open Workshop
We’re a shared makerspace in Leith.
People come here to work on their own projects using tools and equipment across woodworking, metalwork, CNC, textiles, and fabrication.
Some members have experience, others are just starting out — everything happens in the same workshop.
This is what the space looks like day to day.
Campervan builds at EOW
The outside bay is a large open workspace with no height restrictions, designed for campervan projects, larger vehicle-based builds, and high-top vans.
Space hire includes electrical hook-up points, access to workshop machinery and hand tools, and works in the same way as booking a standard PAYG workshop session.
Additional workshop areas, including the fabrication bay, can also be booked if needed.
This space is best suited to the larger structural stages of a campervan build, including:
• insulating
• soundproofing
• ply lining
• carpeting
• furniture construction
…alongside other messier jobs where space and flexibility matter.
It gives members access to workshop facilities for larger-scale projects.
Next in the series: the indoor workshop space.
A very good day for the Textile Room 🧵✨
Huge thanks to @gillbowler1953 for donating all of these amazing fabrics, threads and textile supplies 💜
There’s something very satisfying about a table full of colour, future projects and “this might come in handy one day” energy.
Our Textile Room is used by everyone from complete beginners to regular makers working on their own sewing projects - and donations like this help keep the space feeling welcoming, creative and well-used.
Feeling inspired to dust off the sewing machine? 👀
Our next available sewing course starts soon:
🎒 Sew Your Own Roll-top Backpack
🗓 2 June – 30 June
⏰ Tuesday evenings | 18:00–20:00
🔗 Link in bio for more info & booking
And now there’s plenty of fabric available in the workshop to get you started.
Thanks again Gill ✨
CNC induction at EOW
This is what CNC induction looks like at Edinburgh Open Workshop.
We introduce members to our Yeti-Tool CNC Smart Bench (V-Carve Pro) through hands-on, practical training in the workshop supported by the team at every stage.
No prior CNC experience is needed. The focus is on getting comfortable with the machine, understanding the workflow, and building confidence through doing.
Across the session, members move through setup, tool introduction, machine operation, and their first cuts with guidance throughout.
By the end of the induction, everyone leaves with something they’ve made themselves in this case, engraved name plaques.
Swipe through to see:
• the workshop space
• the induction process in action
• tools and setup
• the CNC running
• finished pieces and members taking them home
Interested in learning CNC or joining the workshop? Get in touch
We love seeing how much people get out of our courses - and this one really stood out.✨
Our 2-day Make Your Own Multi-functional Table course, led by James Birbeck of @birbeckfurniture , is designed to be hands-on from the start.
Participants learn a range of techniques, get comfortable using workshop equipment, and leave with a finished piece of their own.
Thinking about trying something new or taking a skill further?
Why not try our 1-week Introduction to Furniture Design & Making. Also led by James, it will guide you through the full making process in detail, from idea to finished furniture.
Find out more and book via the link in bio. 🔗
At first glance, this might look like a job that’s gone wrong…
In reality, it’s one of the most intricate laser cuts we’ve produced.
This 1.4m-wide illustration by 3rd year @edinburghuniversity student Kehan pushed our machine right to its limits, with hundreds of tiny cut-outs across a single sheet.
⏱️ 2 hours cutting 🧹Almost the same again cleaning up
Got a deadline coming up?
Get in touch with Made@ - we’re here to help with even the trickiest projects.
Link in bio 🔗
Two CNC machines. One tight turnaround. Massive organic cut-outs.
This recent project for @artworld.projects involved machining a series of large-scale cut-out forms for an installation by artist Nicolas Grospierre, heading to Dalkeith Country Park.
We adapted the brief (originally oversized sheets beyond our standard CNC capacity) and reworked the material spec to 3mm MDF so we could machine everything in-house.
Using both Trend Smart Benches and a 6mm straight cutter from Rennie Tools. The full set was machined in ~2 hours with prep and cleanup running alongside production to keep turnaround tight.
Fast. Clean. Accurate. Repeatable.
What would take days of manual cutting (and a lot of MDF dust) becomes a controlled digital workflow.
Made @ Edinburgh Open Workshop
A recent project from the workshop: a handmade cradle, built over a 5-day mentored session.
The maker travelled to Edinburgh to spend focused time in the space, developing skills and working through the full process with support from our team.
Materials:
Birch ply
Machines and tools used:
– Table saw
– Large bandsaw
– Router table
– Domino
– Hand sander
– Bobbin sander
Space hired:
5 sessions + 6 hours of mentoring time
If you’ve got a project in mind but need time, tools, or guidance, mentored sessions are a great way to make it happen. Stuart is one of our mentors, with over 30 years of experience in woodworking—some of you may also know him from our Intro to DIY classes.
✨ Pay It Forward Day ✨
It’s not just about the tools - it’s about the people 🛠️💛
From quick tips to hands-on help, our members are always looking out for each other. That shared knowledge and support is what makes this space so special.
A workshop, yes - but also a community.
👇 Tag someone who’s helped you out (or inspired your latest project)
Go from “I’ve never done this” to “I made this” in one weekend 🪵✨
Spend 2 days building your own multi-functional table or stool - perfect indoors or out.
No experience needed, just curiosity + a willingness to try 🔧 We’ll guide you through everything.
✔️ All materials included
✔️ Learn real woodworking skills
✔️ Leave with something you’ll actually use
🔥 Only 2 spots left
👉 Book now before they’re gone
🔗 Link in bio
Join our Sewing Techniques Workshop and learn the essentials in just 4 hours.
📆 Saturday 9 May
⏰ 11:00-15:00
⭐️ Seams
⭐️ Hems
⭐️ Topstitching
⭐️ Curves & more
🔗 Link in bio to book
