Entry No. 41 — the Raleigh file — filed under: blacksmithing
ShopSpace
A comprehensive community makerspace focused on industrial arts, offering hands-on workshops in blacksmithing, metal fabrication, knife making, and woodworking.
The story
Tucked into an unglamorous industrial strip on Capital Boulevard, ShopSpace turns a massive Raleigh warehouse into a sanctuary for heavy metal and loud, hands-on fabrication. Co-founded by director Lucas House, the non-profit facility sidesteps the usual digital-makerspace setup of 3D printers and laser cutters in favor of serious industrial machinery: rows of anvils, roaring propane forges, welding rigs, and woodworking stations.
The goal here is strictly focused on lowering the barrier to trade skills that usually require thousands of dollars in equipment and a secluded backyard to avoid noise complaints. Whether you want to hammer raw steel into a custom blade, learn the fundamentals of metal fabrication, or work with fine jewelry, ShopSpace operates as a community workshop where anyone can learn heavy fabrication under expert guidance.
What it's like
Expect heat, industrial noise, and the smell of hot steel. When you pull up to Suite 18, leave your synthetic clothes at home—sparks and forge flames will melt polyester instantly, so stick to heavy cotton and closed-toe leather footwear. The vibe inside is casual, unpretentious, and gritty. If you book a beginner forging class, you'll spend your time heating iron bars in a propane forge until they glow bright orange, then hauling them to an anvil to hammer out bottle openers or coat hooks.
The move: Sign up for a beginner forging class to heat metal to a bright orange in a propane forge and hammer out a custom wall hook or steel bottle opener together.
- 📍 Midtown Raleigh
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 1505 Capital Blvd, Suite 18, Raleigh, NC 27603
Hours: Added 2026-07-21 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Dancing Moon Books & Gifts — Trade glowing propane forges and flying sparks on Capital Boulevard for quiet stacks of crystals and metaphysical books less than a half-mile away.
- Bar Sous Terre — After spending an afternoon covered in soot and forging steel, head underground for a refined subterranean cocktail beneath Jolie.
- The Rialto Theatre — Pair a heavy physical metalworking workshop with an evening independent film inside Five Points' historic 1942 Art Deco theater.
- Mordecai Historic Park — Balance modern industrial craftsmanship with a stroll through Raleigh's oldest standing historic home site and paranormal lore.
Good to know
What kinds of classes does ShopSpace offer?
They host hands-on workshops focused on blacksmithing, knife making, metal fabrication, woodworking, and jewelry design, spanning from introductory one-off sessions to detailed skills courses.
What should I wear for a metalworking or forging class?
Wear natural fibers such as 100% cotton denim or canvas, along with closed-toe leather boots or sturdy shoes. Avoid synthetic materials, loose long sleeves, or open-toed footwear.
Can I use the shop equipment for personal projects?
Yes, ShopSpace offers open studio hours for members and independent makers who have completed required safety orientations or prerequisite introductory classes.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · wakeliving.com · Reddit
last checked: 2026-07-21