Frequently asked questions

General FAQs

  • Yes! One day drop-ins are available at a price of $60/day. Certification is required for any space you wish to use through the appropriate class or fast track.

  • Many of our tools are complex and have potential for injury caused by misuse. To ensure the safety of everyone in the space & for liability reasons, certification is required to ensure anyone using the tools is doing so safely.

  • All of our spaces/tools with the exception of the textiles studio require certification, they are divided as follows:

    • Woodshop

    • Metal Shop

    • Pottery Studio

    • CNC Router

    • Laser Cutter

    • 3D Printer

  • Yes, since each space has its own unique set of competencies and safety factors, we require certification for each space & for each of the digital fabrication tools. If you’re looking to get certified in multiple spaces at once, we offer a multi-class discount of 10% per additional class if you book them at the same time. (This discount also applies to Fast Tracks).

  • Nope! If you’re already experienced with a certain skill set, such as woodworking, you can take a Fast Track instead of a class to achieve your certification. Fast Tracks are booked on a per-request basis, so please reach out to our team in order to get one scheduled for the space you wish to use.

  • Absolutely! Some of our most involved members first came to CREATE to convert a van, and we love seeing the amazing conversions people make! However, we require that your conversion project not interfere with neighbouring businesses. For that reason, please ensure to park in the spots closest to our doors, keep all cutting inside the shop to avoid sawdust blowing into our neighbours spaces, and do not store your materials outside while you work.

  • For short term storage such as leaving a glue-up clamped while it dries, yes, you can leave your project overnight provided there is space for it. Please ensure to put a piece of tape with your name & the time it was glued, and come to retrieve it promptly the next day.

    For longer term storage options, members can rent small & large bins or even a whole shelf for a monthly fee.

Woodshop FAQs

  • At a minimum, closed toed shoes and safety glasses are required. Other PPE such as dust masks and hearing protection is strongly recommended.

  • We have a fairly comprehensive array of tools available for use! Key tools include a mitre saw, table saw, hand & table router, drill press, band saw, and more. We also have a tool wall filled with an assortment of hand and power tools such as drills and jig saws.

    For a comprehensive list of the tools available, please visit our woodshop page.

  • Absolutely! We know that people often have preferences for the tools they use. If you’re wanting to use some of our larger tools like the table saw, but bring your own drill or jig saw, you are welcome to do so!

    However, this is not a way to get around certification. You still need to complete a class or fast track in order to use the woodshop in general.

  • No, consumable items such as Glues, Sandpaper, and Fasteners (Screws/Nails etc) are not provided.

    However, there are “take some, leave some” bins on the tool wall where members can leave leftover items for others to use if they do not need them anymore.

  • Yes, we have a fairly comprehensive set of blades for the various saws, and drill bits. However, as these are used by all of our members, certain items may occasionally be unavailable if they have gone dull and are waiting to be replaced.

    Members are welcome to bring their own items such as a specialty table saw blade if they prefer.

  • Please fill out our maintenance request form and let a staff member know.

  • Absolutely! We hate seeing useable wood go to waste, there are cubbies above and next to the mitre saw where members can take/leave useable scraps of wood.

    Please only leave scraps that have been de-nailed, and that are still relatively square and of a decent size.

  • We have a small selection of plywood available for purchase at the front desk. We currently do not offer any consumables for purchase at this time.

Pottery FAQs

  • Firing is charged per unit weight for both bisque and glaze firings

    • Non-members pay $12/kg

    • Members pay $8/kg

    Clay must be purchased from our store.

    Studio glazes are included for members. We sell additional glazes in our store. External glazes may be used once they are verified by our Pottery Studio Manager.

    • We will only fire clay that is purchased from us in our general firings.

    • If you wish to use your own clay, you must rent the entire kiln. This is for safety reasons.

  • No, you just pay the firing fees for the total weight of your pottery.

    • The kiln fires to cone 6

    • The clay we use is M340 or M340S

  • You can check on your pieces anytime we are open, but you can only work on them on days when you have a valid membership.

  • Any drips will incur an $80 fee/shelf for shelf restoration. If you are concerned about this, please let our technician know to place a cookie under your piece.

  • Pieces made in a class will be ready 6-8 weeks after the class finishes.

    Paint a pot pieces will be ready in 4-6 weeks.

    You will receive an email when they are ready. Please check your spam folder as the notifications often end up there.

For more information about specific areas, see our policies page.