Ok here’s the situation. I have a small woodworking shop in the basement of my house. Due to work and family obligations I find that I don’t have time to spend in the shop. I’ve been thinking about setting up a small hobby co-op, where my tools could be shared and put to use. Here’s my question. Would anyone be interested joining? Are there people out there who wish that that they could do some woodworking but don’t have the space and/or the tools? This is a preliminary exploration of this possibility. I just want to know if there is enough people out there to make this work. I’d also love to hear from anyone who has had experience in this type of situation.
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Replies
Co-op in Toronto
My dad has just downsized and had to get rid of all his tools and workshop. The idea of a co-op workshop is a great idea to let people like him keep on working. I look forward to seeing if there is support for this concept in Toronto.
I like the idea of a shop co-op, especially in Toronto where space is so expensive. It would be nice to see that grow out of your basement and into a proper space somewhere central. I live in a loft space and I'm sure many other carpenters/woodworkers have the same problem with space. It limits what I can do on a professional level to site built only.
Marc
Woodworking Co-op in Toronto
This is a great idea. I was looking for this very thing when I found your posting.
I agree with MarcStonestreet that it would be nice to see it grow out of your basement - unless you have a BIG basement and don't mind people traipsing through what sounds like a busy life. As pointed out by someone on another thread from 2006:
"So far I know of two cooperatives in the city. They both seem geared to professionals. The Wood Studio (I think that's what its called) charges an upfront $10,000 fee for joining ($9,000 of which one would get back when one is no longer in the co-op), PLUS about $1,000/month fees. The other one (can';t remember its name, but if you want it I can find it for you) is also a co-op with about 12 members. Each member pays a monthly rental fee of between $700-900, depending upon the size of the member's work area. These options are, unfortunately, too expensive for me - especially since I am a beginner and likely to be a hobbyist for at least the next decade."
Not sure how to go about setting up a co-op, but I see no reason why the existing co-ops wouldn't share their experience.
I am coming up to a decision point - either bite the bullet and buy a good hybrid saw and use it in my small, unheated and poorly lit garage or join a co-op. There are pros and cons either way, but the co-op, if in a reasonably convenient location, really appeals to me.
Happy to help both in scoping out what is needed and in setting it up.
Mary Ann
LOOKING FOR WOODWORK CO-OP MEMBERS
we are embarking on the set up of a woodwork co-op. central toronto location st. clair and jane. if interested contact me for more details. [email protected]. cheers Jaime
fantastic idea, lets make it happen
Has there been any progress on this? I think there is a huge market for this type of establishment here in Toronto. I have volunteered with a do-it-yourself bicycle shop for the past four years and people have totally embraced the space. I am confident that a similar organization could be created specializing in woodwork. I am very interested in helping make this happen, let's continue this thread and see what happens with this idea.
Brilliant Idea
I think this is a fantastic idea! Has anything become of this?
I too live in a loft/condo and there have been so many times I have said if only I had a shop to create this idea or that. Joining a professional co-op for $1000's is not feasible for me. If you need any help in getting this up and running, I would be happy to lend a hand where ever.
Looking forward to hearing more!
Any movement on the coop?
Hi there - I am in the fantasy stages of starting a small business and I want to live in Toronto, but my family's workshop is in Kingston. I can work there, but I would prefer to set something up in the city. I have some tools to share (not much, really to be frank) but I can't find or afford a workspace on my own. And these highly professional shared spaces cost too much.
Has there been any movement on this coop? I would be very interested to join/ help out/ share some kind of space!
please be in touch,
Ian
Sounds interesting...
I am also in the early stages of setting up a new workshop and currently looking at the possibility of a shared/co-op space to keep costs down. I had a shop of my own some years back and after a (too long!) detour working on film and theatre sets I am ready to get back into it. My equipment and space needs are modest and I still have a bunch of hand and power tools. A space with a tablesaw and workbenches, tool storage etc. would likely be enough for me to get going but ideally a small fully complimented woodshop would be the goal.
I am looking to develop a small furniture and residential accessories line and will likely do some custom work as well. Ideally somewhere downtown would be great but I'm open.
Wood working Co op
Hi Ian,
I was wondering if you have had any success in locating/ starting up a Co Op in the Toronto area. I'm interested in a place where I can get back into wood working a few times a week at a reasonable cost. Based on your post, it seems that you are in a similar situation looking for a place in the city to do some wood working. Let me know of any leads you have or any progress on this.
Thanks,
Carson
I'm seeking a shared woodworking space
I am wanting to get back into wood working and am looking for a shared space, and preferably shared tools, somewhere in or near downtown Toronto that is reasonably priced or that I can barter services for usage.
I would very much welcome any leads to make this a reality.
happilychavisa at gmail dot com.
Thank you
Co-op news!
hello! I just read your posting and would like to let you know that I am opening a woodwork co-op in toronto (jane and st.clair). if you interested call me Jaime 647-351-6105 to exchange information. cheers jaime
Woodworking Co-op
I’m thinking an actual shop. I read an article not long ago about a group in Boston. They have a shop and several members who share the shop space. Every member is his own boss but the jobs,( whether it be a kitchen or furniture piece or architectural), are billed to the customer through the shop as a whole. The individuals are payed through the shop as contractors on a 1099. If a job is big enough , they help one another out to complete the project, making payment arrangements on a case by case basis.
Apparently, there is a core group of guys who take turns every quarter as co-op business mgr. and when a bench or shop space is free, they bring in another member periodically by a vote of the existing members. Whatever tools you bring into the co-op, you leave with when (if) you leave the group. This particular co-op has been going now since the early nineties, I believe. So far, it seems to work, although I’m sure it has it’s issues.
You can make an ads on your place for those who want to avail or to be a part of your shop.
The Franklin Horner Community Centre has a woodshop for non-commercial use. The annual fee is small but you have to make some things for their fundraising sales ( 25% of your time). This is ideal for the hobbiest in need of a shop.
Downtown workshop
My step-dad has a large shop which he shares with other carpenters / contractors. Check out: http://coopworkshoptoronto.com, it's a shared shop in downtown Toronto. They were sharing between 4 or 5 people, but he is down to just himself and one other person, so they need more people to fill the space. Check out the website for some pictures and info on the place and call him if anyone is interested.
Co-op
Did anything ever come of this. I'm moving from my house and will be losing my basement which I used for projects. I have a small collection of tools and would be very interested in a space that was centrally located.
shop space
I rent space in the downtown core that I would like to share
CO OP PLACEMENT NEEDED ASAP!
Hi I am currently enrolled in school and would like to get started in gaining as much experience needed for a future career in woodworking. This is really important to me since gaining experience in skilled trade is difficult when experience is needed in most places to begin working in the first place. This is needed asap so if you could email me at [email protected] or phone at 647-769-8526 I would greatly appreciate it. I hope to hear from you soon.
Woodworker co-op/shared space
I am interested in participating. I have a variety of tools and am of a medium skill level.
Shared Woodworking Shop
Hey there,
If any of you are still looking for some shared woodworking space, please get in touch. Akin Collective runs a few art studios in Toronto on the West End and it looks like we'll be adopting a woodshop at Queen and Dufferin in the next month or so. Please send me an email if this is of interest to you.
Thanks
Oliver - [email protected]
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