Welcome to the White Bear Makerspace, a shared woodworking shop for the community, located at 5966 Hwy 61, 5 minutes from downtown White Bear Lake. It's the first of its kind in the White Bear Lake area. It works like a gym membership, but instead of building muscles, we have the tools and space for you to build your own projects. It's a workout for your mind, your imagination, and your creativity. Or just think of it as your own deluxe workshop away from home. We have 10,000 square feet of space just 3 minutes north of White Bear Lake - 5966 Hwy 61 N.
Here's what's inside:
- Huge woodworking shop: everything from professional power tools to small hand tools
- 3D printer - Afinia H800
- Laser cutter - GlowForge Plus, 45W
- CNC machine - ShopSabre 23
- Lots of space for project/tool storage, even rent your own studio workspace!
- Kitchen and lounge
- Separate sanding and finishing rooms (for air quality)
- Climate controlled, with professional dust collection and ventilation
- Clean/quiet space for other projects
- Craft space - Cricuts, heat presses, scrapbooking
- Classroom space: attend a class or teach one!
Contact us to schedule a tour or stop by any time!
Shop Description
- Complete woodworking shop:
- CNC - ShopSabre 23 (30" x 40" bed)
- Two SawStop table saws, 3HP, 52" rail
- Laguna 18BX 3HP band saw (16" re-saw capacity)
- Supermax 19/38 drum sander
- Milwaukee cordless tools (nearly two dozen)
- Makita 12" dual bevel compound sliding miter saw on 14' station
- Nova Voyager DVR drill press
- Nova Comet II lathe
- Milwaukee panel saw
- DeWalt 13" planer
- DeWalt scroll saws (2)
- Kreg pocket hole tools
- Router table
- Porter Cable 3.25HP Router (7518)
- Bosch plunge router
- Makita trim router
- LOTS of hand tools
- and lots more!
- Sanding room (belt, disk, spindle, hand held sanders, etc.)
- Finishing room (dust free!), independently ventilated, with exhaust fan
- Storage space for projects and your own tools
- Lots of work benches
- Loading dock - drive in to load/unload indoors!
- Studio Workspace - your own personal work space (labeled "work platform" below)!
- Dust collection and climate control throughout
- Classroom / Conference room
- "Clean" space:
- Cricut Maker, Air, Air 2
- Heat presses (make custom T-shirts!)
- Vinyl supplies on-site (651 and HTV)
- Digital Fabrication:
- 3D printer - Afinia 800
- Laser cutter - Glowforge Plus, 45W
- Kitchen & lounge (take a break!)
Above is a rough draft of our main floor layout.
Membership Options
Our philosophy is to provide lots of options, so you can tailor your membership to fit your needs. We don't want you to be paying for anything you don't need.
Membership Types:
- Shop - Day Pass (5 for $125, they never expire)
- Shop - Nights (starting at 5:00) & Weekends ($160/month)
- Shop - Weekdays (until 5:00, $160/month)
- Shop - all hours ($190/month)
- Shop - additional family member ($50.00/month)
- Crafting - Clean space only ($50.00/month)
Members receive 10% off all classes
Space Rental:
- Shop - Studio Workspace ($3 per square foot per month plus membership)
- Desk ($150/month plus membership)
- Vertical board storage ($50/month)
- Floor storage space (4'x4', $48/month)
- Storage bin (27 gallon, $20/month)
All memberships are monthly, no long term commitments!
Our commitment to you: when you join, your rate is locked in for 1 year. During that time, if rates go up, your rate stays the same. If rates go down, your rate goes down too!
Walk-in Hours (or by appointment - email whitebearmakerspace@gmail.com or call 651-245-6400):
Monday 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday 1:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday 1:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Friday 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Hours will expand as we assess member's needs.
To become a member, please contact us at 651.245.6400 or whitebearmakerspace@gmail.com!
Classes Offered
All classes are open to the public, no membership needed!
Cedar Birdhouse
Come build this cedar birdhouse with us. You will have the equipment and materials to build this in class, but there won't be time to stain it in class. May 19th from 1:00 - 3:00. Cost is $30 for materials (provided by instructor) and $30 for the class. Build an additional house during class for $30. Instructor - Phil Sundblad
Wood to Created Treasures
Do you have something you would like to make? Students bring in their ideas of what they want to build, and we will go from there to create the finished project. This class gives the students access to equipment and assistance from an experienced woodworking teacher. Class goes for 6 weeks, 3 hours a night and costs $80.00, materials are not included. Depending on the project, materials could run from $30.00 - $80.00. Class starts on April 16th, from 6:00 to 9:00, and runs till May 21st. Instructor - Mark Barron
Polymer Clay Turtles
Have you always wondered how to make awesome patterns with polymer clay? Well, here's your chance!! Come join us for a great night of caning!! You'll learn the basics of polymer clay and how to cane. You'll also learn some of the things you can do with your newly made cane by making a turtle out of your canes. April 27th, from 11:00 to 4:00 pm. Class costs $50.00 plus $20.00 for materials. Instructor - Lynn Seim
Scroll Letters
Do you have a favorite word or phrase? Come learn about the scroll saw and make your name, favorite phrase or word out of wood. You'll learn how to make a pattern, glue it to wood and cut it. Class runs 3 weeks, 1 night a week for 3 hours, May 8th, 15th and 22nd. Class runs from 6:00 to 9:00 pm. Class cost is $50.00, plus $10.00 for materials. Instructor - Mike Erdmanczyk
Polymer Clay Fairy Doors
Do you have fairies making trouble at your house? Are you feeling lonely and want a new friend? Or maybe you just want to let your creativity out? Then come make a portal into the fairy realm. Whether it's a fishing shack, light house or maybe a portal inspired by your favorite video game. Your imagination is the limit. Polymer clay is a fun, relaxing medium. There is no right or wrong as long as you have fun!! Even if your experience with clay is Play-Doh, this class is for everyone!! Come learn the basics of clay and make a cool project to take home. Class will be May 4th and 5th, from 12:00 to 4:00 pm for $200.00, (includes materials). Instructor - Lynn Seim
Polymer Clay Sea Creatures
Come go on a journey with us under the sea. Come have a great night out and learn some of the basics of polymer clay as we make a set of fish and a set of octopuses. May 9th, from 6:00 to 10:00 pm, class cost is $50.00, plus $20.00 for materials. Instructor - Lynn Seim
Bottle Cap Magnets
Come learn the basics of making fun projects with bottle caps by making fun magnets with us. Pick your favorite theme and we'll teach you how to make a set of magnets. May 13th, 4:00 to 7:00, class cost is $30.00, plus $15.00 for materials. Instructor - Lynn Seim
About Us
Hi! Our names are Theresa and Tom Lendway. We've been Vadnais Heights residents for over 22 years. Now that our kids are off to college, we have the time and ambition to tackle this project. We are driven by our desire to help others, have fun, and give back to the community.
This idea started when we were thinking of downsizing our house, but we did not want to give up the workshop. When we couldn't find one in our neighborhood, we decided to build one!
Tom is a former Director of Software Engineering with over 30 years' experience building commercial flight "black boxes" and medical devices. His engineering experience is an excellent fit for an operation like this, since he knows how to solve problems and how to find answers. But his true passion since childhood is woodworking. His father was a Pattern Maker, which is now a nearly extinct profession. He could make ANYTHING out of wood, with a precision that Tom is forever trying to match. It was from him that Tom learned his skills, and in his spirit that Tom will pass them on.
Theresa's background is in the financial industry, and she has been very active in the schools and local volunteer scene. This makes her a perfect fit for helping to keep the books balanced and working with our members. Theresa loves scrapbooking and helping others. She also helps out with the marketing, planning events and communication with members.
Check us out on Facebook! http://www.facebook.com/WBMakerspace