Entry No. 17 — the Coeur d'Alene file — filed under: hands-on
Gizmo-CDA Makerspace
Coeur d'Alene's only nonprofit community makerspace, packing a woodshop, machine shop, welding studio, blacksmithing studio, pottery studio, lapidary, and laser cutters under one roof on the NIC campus. They run hands-on adult classes spanning woodturning, metalwork, laser cutting, and more, and walk-in tours run Wednesday evenings and Saturday midday. The lapidary, where you can cut and polish your own stone, is an unusually offbeat option for a date.
The story
Tucked inside Suite 142 of the Hedlund Building on the North Idaho College campus, Gizmo-CDA functions as Coeur d'Alene’s only non-profit community makerspace. Rather than keeping industrial-grade manufacturing tools behind trade credentials or college tuition, the space aggregates wood lathes, machine equipment, welding rigs, blacksmithing anvils, laser cutters, and pottery wheels under one roof.
What elevates the space beyond a standard digital fabrication lab is its lapidary. While most maker shops stop at 3D printers and CNC routers, Gizmo maintains stone-cutting saws and wet-sanding wheels where you can grind raw rock into polished cabochons. On any given week, the schedule shifts from high-precision laser burning to hand-turning wood bowls or shaping hot metal at the anvil.
What it's like
Finding the space requires navigating to 283 N. Hubbard Street on the NIC campus. If you aren't registered for a specific class, show up during the public walk-in tour slots on Wednesday evenings (7 to 9 p.m.) or Saturday middays (noon to 2 p.m.). The space operates as a true working shop—expect noise, sawdust in the air, and active projects spread across workbenches. You cannot drop in and start operating heavy machinery immediately; most equipment requires a tool-safety orientation before hands-on access.
The move: Take a lapidary or woodturning class together and each finish a polished stone or turned bowl in one session.
📍 Before you go Class offerings rotate and many require a brief tool-safety orientation first; check the calendar. Walk-in tours: Wed 7-9pm and Sat 12-2pm.
- 📍 Coeur d'Alene
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: North Idaho College campus, Coeur d'Alene, ID
Hours: Added 2026-06-24 — confirm current hours before you go.
⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.
Pair it with
- Fire Iron Forge — Blacksmith David Walker teaches fundamental blacksmithing classes directly inside Gizmo's forge area.
- Emerge CDA — Pair Gizmo's heavy machinery and lapidary saws with Emerge's downtown collective studio space for printmaking and fine art.
- Guardians of the Lake (Giant Feathers) — Drive less than half a mile down Northwest Boulevard to examine the 25-foot fabricated metal feather sculptures after seeing Gizmo's metal shop.
Good to know
Where exactly is Gizmo-CDA located?
It sits inside Suite 142 of the Hedlund Building at 283 N. Hubbard Street on the North Idaho College campus.
When can I tour the makerspace without booking a class?
Walk-in tours run every Wednesday from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and every Saturday from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
What equipment and studios are available?
The facility includes a woodshop, machine shop, welding studio, blacksmithing studio, pottery studio, lapidary stone-cutting station, and laser cutters.
Do I need training before using the equipment?
Yes. Most studios and specialized machines require a brief safety orientation class before you can work with them independently.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · nic.edu · cdapress.com · spokesman.com · cdainsider.com
last checked: 2026-06-24