August 26th, 2025
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By now you’ve probably heard the news… Firsthand is launching a new framebuilding school. We’ve been teasing something big since we opened our shop doors this year, and this is it. We used this past weekend’s MADE show to make the announcement, but here’s more about our plans.
We’re developing a modern, world-class framebuilding shop and education facility here in Portland, Oregon. Last fall, we purchased a warehouse in the John’s Landing neighborhood of south Portland. After (many, many) months of planning and permitting, we’ve finally started construction on our new spot. The renovation will take some time (all meaningful things do), but in 2026 we’ll open the doors to a brand new, 8,000 sq. ft. framebuilding hub and workshop on the banks of the Willamette river. Our new spot will include a 3,000 sq. ft., purpose-built metalworking shop along with a dedicated classroom & discussion space, computer lab, indoor & outdoor event areas, an on-site apartment for our guest instructors, and–of course–our supply shop & warehouse.
The Firsthand school will be guest instructor based. We’ve been talking to several career framebuilders about passing along their knowledge through our program, and everyone has been extremely enthusiastic. Building out the curriculum and supporting those lead instructors will be a passionate group of fantastic, local, in-house framebuilders. And finally, we’ll be pulling from a rich “bullpen” of additional local builders, eager to help out with our courses and events.
Our classes will include everything from 1 to 3-day seminars to multi-week framebuilding experiences. We’ll eventually host evening workshops, weekend events, and a variety of discussions and presentations. The offering will cater to a variety of skill levels and ambitions, from novice metalworkers wanting to experience an introduction to framebuilding to experienced builders wanting to expand their repertoire of skills. Over time, we’ll offer classes in steel, titanium, brazing, welding, machining, fit, design, and small-business development.
This is an ambitious project, and—of course—it will take some time for us to see it through. We’ll be starting slowly, learning as we go, and building out the school over time. That said, I am absolutely all-in, willing to pump the necessary effort and resources into building something really, really special here in Portland. The project is entirely self-financed, and I’m optimistic that–with minimal overhead and zero debt to service–our business model will prove sustainable long-term. Nearly all of our (eventual) profits will be pumped back into the business and the team of builders working together on its behalf.
It's been 10 years since I took UBI’s (now shuttered) framebuilding course up on North Williams. In that time, the scene in Portland and beyond has undergone so many changes. I’ve observed what was once a fire here in town slowly burn itself out. I’m more convinced than ever, however, that there’s a strong enthusiasm and curiosity for framebuilding still out there. Events like MADE make that fact undeniable. The strongest part of a fire is so often its embers. I’m excited to stoke the framebuilding coals here in town. Attending UBI truly changed my life; now I want to give others a similar, Firsthand experience within this unique craft.
We’re building it. Soon, so soon, I hope you’ll come and enjoy it.
We'll keep you posted on progress.
Happy building.