A shared space of resources

A makerspace is a community-operated shop or workspace where people with common interests, often in computers, machining, technology, science, digital art, or electronic art, can create, socialize, and collaborate

A community hub

A makerspace brings together community members in the spirit of collaboration. Through workshops, classes, and events, our makerspace provides a home for big ideas and folks who want to tackle them with you.

Where ideas come to life

Maybe you want to add a bit more play to your day. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, our makerspace has the right conditions to make it a reality.

We wish we had more space, but we just don't. We do have limited storage for smaller projects on a short-term basis.

If you are looking for a space to work on large projects like vehicles or sculptures, please reach out to us on the Contact Us page. We can’t always accommodate these types of projects, but we may be able to point you to resources who can.

Some specialty tools are time and skill-intensive and require special training and advanced registration for their use. These include the CNC Laser Cutter, CNC Shopbot Router, 3D Printers, and CNC Plasma Cutter. You must take the tool-specific classes and, sometimes, mentorship hours for a sign-off before using these machines independently. These tools require reservation before use, and you must be a member before signing up for mentorship hours, where required.

Membership is for folks who have previous tool experience and can show proficiency in using the space independently. Don’t have previous tool experience? Check out some of our great classes so you can learn the skills to become a member!

If you have experience, apply for membership with the form on our website - found through our Memberships page. Let us know your tool experience and what you plan to make. We will contact you to arrange your New Member Orientation and Shop Safety Check-Out. Safety Check-Outs are for those who have previous tool experience and can demonstrate using them independently.

All shops require that you demonstrate in a Safety Checkout with a trained volunteer that you can use tools safely and independently.

Your experience can be through classes (this can be at the Roundhouse or elsewhere), previous trainings, or professional experience.

Some of our Roundhouse classes count as a tool safety checkout – like Wood Shop 101 or Intro to Metal Shop – and clearly state that in the class description. After passing the class, you can apply for membership and state the class as your experience.

Honesty and integrity about your tool experience helps us keep our space safe for all users.

You may use the Roundhouse for small business projects, but you may not use the Roundhouse to run a full-scale business.

The Roundhouse is an incubator for gaining exposure to new tools and techniques, experimentation, prototyping, etc. We would be thrilled to have us be your home base for the early stages of your startup; however, when you find you need continual/regular access to a certain tool or tools, it is time to think about investing in your own tools as you scale your startup.

When you succeed, so do we! If you are successful at selling one-off projects (a piece of furniture, art, ceramic wares, electronic gadget, etc.) or any other products, we ask you to consider a donation back to the space so we can continue to grow, expand, and support others in our community to do the same. The suggested donation range is 10% of sales.

No, you do not need to be a member to attend our public classes or workshops. Subscribe to our bi-monthly class emails in the section below!

We offer Summer Kids Camps for ages 8 - 11 and offer a few kid-specific sewing classes for ages 8 and over throughout the year. Make sure you're subscribed to our emails (form is below the FAQ on this page) to see when the next is offered.

We also partner with local schools and nonprofits via our Education and Community Enrichment Program in creating workshops and custom projects. If you are interested in a partnership, please fill out the application on our community projects page.

You may purchase a youth membership for your child 15 and under if you both have experience in one of our shops. Just like adult members, youth members need to attend a new member orientation and safety checkout. Safety checkouts are for those with prior tool experience who can demonstrate proficiency in using the tools independently. If you want to use tools you don't already have skills in, you will need to take classes until you can demonstrate proficiency. Most of our classes and workshops are for ages 12 and over.

Our youth makerspace rules are as follows:

Youth members who are 15 and under are not allowed in the makerspace unless accompanied by an adult member or unless taking a class designed for this age group.

Adults accompanying youth members under the age of 16 must also have an active membership and shop safety check-outs.

Youth members 18 and under must have a liability waiver and all required paperwork signed by a parent or legal guardian.

Youth members ages 16 and 17 may use the shop independently without a parent or

guardian present. Youth members ages 16 and 17, like all adult members, are responsible for following all safety rules, policies, and procedures at all times.

We have Textiles, Technology, Metal, Wood, and Ceramics shops. Please check out our shop pages, linked on the Makerspace page, for specific lists of tools.

Nonprofit organizational status aligns with our community-focused mission of providing an affordable and accessible resource to tools, teachers, and programs.

We apply for grants, donations, and philanthropic support to help sustain and expand our makerspace activities and program offerings. We thrive as a community-run, community-benefiting organization!

Cancellations made 72 hours or more in advance will receive a Roundhouse class credit.

Cancellations made 72 hours or less are non-refundable and non-transferable. Roundhouse class credit may be issued for medical or family emergencies. Due to our limited class sizes, we kindly ask that you give us as much advance notice as possible -- not showing up for a class without communication affects our ability to offer valuable programming to our community.

Please email info@truckeeroundhouse.org or call 530.582.4007 during member hours to cancel your membership. If you are on monthly auto-pay, make sure to cancel before your renewal day.

No, you always need an active membership to use the tools independently during our member hours. You may only use tools that you have been safety checked out on—the only exception is using tools during our classes and programs with a certified instructor.

The facility, tools, materials, equipment, and all services associated with Truckee Roundhouse membership and any workshops are provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis without warranties of any kind, either express or implied.