Remember TechShop? I mentioned it over 2 years ago, it's a membership based workshop that has practically everything you could imagine if you wanted to design and construct a project or work on an idea. Machine tools, electronic gear, computers, it's hard to think of a tool or resource you might want or need to build something not already included in what you'll find on site.
This kind of workshop is really great for everyone who has big ideas but not enough available space or very few tools. You sign up, just like a gym, and you get to use all of the equipment plus you can take classes from the old hands who know how to do what you're trying to figure out. Cool.
Back when we first looked at it, TechShop only had the one original location in Menlo Park, California. The good news is TechShop is growing with 2 new locations, one in Durham, N.C. and the other Beaverton, Oregon.
There are a few similar shops popping up around the country, maybe not quite as well equipped as these, but if the idea spreads, you might see something like this near you. Let us know if you've found one in your area.
Link: TechShop Menlo Park (Menlo Park, California)
Link: TechShop Durham (Durham, North Carolina)
Link: TechShop Portland (Beaverton, Oregon)
Related: Privateers Garage
{ 12 comments… add yours below ... }
Nice idea. Dread to think what their insurance premium is!
“Free Lifetime Memberships
There are still a few Free Lifetime Memberships available. As a $25,000 Lender, you will get all your money back with 10% annual interest over 10 years, and you will also recieve a lifetime membership at TechShop, FREE. Please contact us for details.”
That is one hell of an investment opportunity even if you don’t use the facility!
A friend of mine of mine (actually, more like “casual acquaintance”) started a co-op garage in my area about 20 years ago. I wanted to join, but couldn’t afford to. I’m glad I didn’t, as it folded after 3-4 years. The reasons?
- He never got the membership he’d projected.
- The members broke, lost and/or stole the tools and equipment at a much greater rate than he’d projected.
- A couple of members were constantly hogging bays and tools.
- The more experienced members who knew what they were doing got really sick of being asked for help by those who didn’t.
I’m actually an investor in TechShop, have a lifetime membership because of it. It’s a neat project, and it’s nice to have somewhere that supports growing businesses, not just individual hobbyists.
Please!, someone set one up in the Boston, MA area. I would join/invest in a heartbeat! (I’m sure a lot would). And my wife would stop yelling at me about the mess in the barn.
what a great idea. Minneapolis Minnesota, please!
I think this is a great idea. They should expand further up north to the Puget Sound area. This is one “gym” I’d join.
The TechShop in Menlo Park just started a sale on memberships.
One month of membership (normally $125), and two classes (classes are usually around $50-60) for $39! Was thinking this would be a cool gift for bay area makers
http://www.techshop.ws/gift
This place is awesome. If you’re ever in the area you should take some classes or at least stop by for a tour.
Great program! I would expect that you can’t rent cutting tools (end mills, lathe tools, etc). Those tools will have to factor into your build costs because you could drop lots of horsepower on them.
Many of us have fantastic idea’s,but lack the skill set in certain area’s,this is a great idea.I hope it contunues to grow.It surely,if done right will be a big success.
Beautiful. I have some projects in mind already. It’ll have to wait for a year or two even with this opportunity (I’m a couple hours drive away from one of the tech shops) I’ve got skilled machinist’s in my circle of builders, but, none of them have access to tools outside of work. This could help us get some great things off the ground.
There are similar skills networking programs in place with the RAA/EAA chapters. Some have available workshops and tools that can be accessed by members. This is in the parallel universe of homebuilt aviation, but a machine head is a machine head. I went to an RAA meeting and saw a really clean homebuilt Super 7.
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