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The Kneeslider

Doers Builders and Positive People

TechShop – the Membership Workshop is Growing

By Paul Crowe

TechShopRemember 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

Posted on November 24, 2009 Filed Under: Workshop & Tools


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Comments

  1. Ian says

    November 24, 2009 at 10:12 am

    Nice idea. Dread to think what their insurance premium is!

  2. Chris says

    November 24, 2009 at 11:15 am

    “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!

  3. Tanshanomi says

    November 24, 2009 at 11:29 am

    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.

  4. tedder says

    November 24, 2009 at 11:33 am

    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.

  5. Jason says

    November 24, 2009 at 1:04 pm

    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.

  6. dannyb says

    November 24, 2009 at 2:14 pm

    what a great idea. Minneapolis Minnesota, please!

  7. FREEMAN says

    November 24, 2009 at 4:12 pm

    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.

  8. Laura says

    November 24, 2009 at 8:13 pm

    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.

  9. Paulinator says

    November 24, 2009 at 10:46 pm

    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.

  10. thomas lewis says

    November 27, 2009 at 10:58 am

    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.

  11. PsycloneJack says

    November 27, 2009 at 4:31 pm

    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.

  12. Paulinator says

    November 28, 2009 at 4:31 pm

    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.

  13. Matthew says

    May 14, 2010 at 3:25 pm

    Too bad the Tech shop in Portland was such a disappointment. Took MONTHS longer to open than they told all interested parties and then they had NONE of the high end equipment promised. At the kickoff interest meeting, the founder spoke of leasing standardized new equipment for ALL locations. Instead, what was purchased was used 1960-80’s equipment and NONE of the CNC equipment / Rapid prototyping machines promised ever showed up. I canceled my membership and last I heard, Techshop PDX closed it’s doors. Apparently they’re reopening in a new location, but unless they make good with some of the equipment promised, most interested parties I know will be passing.

  14. Stuart Cody says

    March 28, 2011 at 6:35 pm

    Well here it is 2011, and I am only seing OLD posts on the subject of TECHSHOP BOSTON. What’s up; nobody shares the Yankee Ingenuity and Entrepreneurial Bug?
    Copy me via email; I may not see replies to this site. stuart.cody(at)verizon.net

  15. Dave Russell says

    September 16, 2011 at 3:04 pm

    Check out the new and improved Artisan’s Asylum in Somerville.
    http://artisansasylum.com

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