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Workshop Spaces and Facilities at EOW

From woodworking and welding to textiles, digital fabrication, finishing and large-scale builds, Edinburgh Open Workshop is home to a wide range of creative workspaces and professional equipment. As a community maker space in Leith, we provide access to specialist workshop facilities for makers, artists, designers and small businesses looking for the tools and space to bring ideas to life.

Many people first discover Edinburgh Open Workshop through one of our courses or workshops. As their skills and confidence grow, they can continue making independently using the same equipment through our flexible Pay As You Go access. Whether you’re building furniture, learning to weld, prototyping a product or simply need more room to create, our affordable workshop facilities in Edinburgh support projects of all shapes and sizes. In this guide, we’ll explore the different areas available and the kinds of projects they support.

Woodworking Bay EOW

Woodworking Workshop Space

Our woodworking workshop is designed for makers working with timber, whether you’re building your first project, producing bespoke furniture or developing a small product range. With six spacious fabrication bays and a comprehensive range of machinery and power tools, the space supports everything from creative experimentation to professional making.

Key equipment and capabilities:

  • Table saws and band saws
  • Planers and thicknessers
  • Routing and shaping equipment
Woodworking - Arm Saw
Woodworking Fabrication Bays
Resident Maker at a woodworking machine

Metalworking and Welding Workshop Space

 

Whether you’re learning to weld, building furniture or tackling a larger fabrication project, our metalworking area offers four dedicated bays, ground-level access and a supportive environment for makers of all experience levels. Suitable for everything from artistic commissions and repairs to one-off builds and bespoke projects.

Key equipment and capabilities:

  • Ground-level access for larger builds
  • MIG welding facilities
  • Metal cutting, drilling and shaping equipment
Metal workers at the EOW welding station
Person Welding at EOW
Welding - corner workstation at EOW

Paint and Spray Booth Facilities

Every project deserves a good finish. Our dedicated paint floor offers a clean, well-ventilated space for painting and other wet work, away from the activity of the fabrication areas below. With a filtered spray booth and preparation areas, it’s ideal for furniture, props, scenic builds and bespoke commissions.

Key equipment and capabilities:

  • Dedicated 5m x 5m paint floor
  • 4m x 4m spray booth with filtered air system
  • Space for painting, staining, varnishing and finishing

If stair access is a concern, painting and finishing can also be accommodated in the ground floor fabrication bays by arrangement.

Paint Floor at EOW - set up for a furniture upcycling course
Paint Floor at EOW - suitable for finishing larger projects
Scenic artist completing a project on the paint floor

Textiles Workshop Space

Home to both domestic and industrial sewing machines, our textile studio supports everything from alterations and dressmaking to soft furnishings and creative projects. The space also hosts regular workshops and is home to our laser cutter, opening up even more opportunities for experimentation and personalisation.

Key equipment and capabilities:

  • Domestic and industrial sewing machines including overlockers
  • Spacious cutting tables
  • Repairs, alterations, soft furnishings and creative textile projects
People cutting material in the EOW textiles studio
Person using the sewing machine in the textiles room
Textiles Studio at EOW

Outdoor Fabrication Space

Our outdoor fabrication space gives makers the room to tackle larger projects, with direct workshop access and no height restrictions. A favourite with the campervan community, it’s ideal for vehicle conversions, large-scale builds and projects that benefit from extra ventilation and easy access to materials.

Key equipment and capabilities:

  • 4.5m x 3m outdoor workspace with no height restrictions
  • Direct access to the woodworking area
  • Suitable for campervan conversions and large-scale fabrication
Campervan build at EOW - outdoor bay
Campervan using the outdoor fabrication bay at EOW
Campervan Build in outdoor fabrication bay

Large-Scale Fabrication Space

Our indoor large-scale build spaces give makers room to tackle oversized projects in all weather conditions. Used by scenic fabricators, exhibition builders and those working on larger commissions, they provide covered space for assembly, dry builds and finishing, with easy access to workshop machinery and facilities.

Key equipment and capabilities:

  • 7m x 7m indoor workspace for oversized projects
  • Protection from weather, suitable for dry assembly and large-scale fabrication
  • Suitable for long-term and multi-stage projects
Large-scale build for Dusshera celebrations at EOW
Scenic build in EOW's large-scale fabrication space

Digital Fabrication Facilities

CNC Routers

 

Our dedicated CNC suite houses two routers capable of accurately cutting timber, sheet materials and acrylic. Used for furniture making, models, signage and scenic construction, they support both one-off projects and small-batch production. Access is available following a CNC induction or hardware assessment.

Key equipment and capabilities:

  • Precision cutting and repeatable accuracy
  • Suitable for timber, plywood, MDF and acrylic
  • Furniture components, models, signage and scenic construction
  • One-off projects and small production runs
CNC Machine in action at EOW

Laser Cutter

Popular with makers, artists and small businesses, our laser cutter offers a precise and versatile way to cut and engrave a variety of materials. Suitable for prototypes, signage and personalised products, it opens up new possibilities for experimentation, customisation and small production runs.

Key equipment and capabilities:

  • Precision cutting and engraving, suitable for fabric, wood and acrylic
  • Product prototyping and component production
  • Signage and personalised products
Branded merchandise produced with laser cutter

Ready to Make your Next Project?

Whether you’re looking for a woodworking workshop, welding facilities, textile equipment, digital fabrication tools or space for a large-scale build, Edinburgh Open Workshop offers flexible access to professional making facilities in the heart of Edinburgh. Many people begin by developing their skills through a course before moving on to independent making.

Access to workshop spaces is available through a range of membership and Pay As You Go options, with inductions and specialist training required for some areas and equipment. Get in touch to learn more or visit the workshop to see which space is right for your next project.

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