RDU "Techshop"

[scsmith42]

Anybody heard of "Techshop"? It's a membership-based workshop that gives its members access to a wide variety of tools and equipment, training on how to use that equipment, and other processes.

Examples of equipment include a full suite of metal working machines (mills, lathes, shears, brakes, rolls, welders, etc), Shop Bot's, CAD/CAM software and equipment, tablesaws, etc. I'm not sure of how extensive a collection of woodworking machines that they will have; their focus seemed to be fabrication based.

The original Techshop was founded in Menlo Park, CA by Jim Newton, one of the science advisors to the TV program "Mythbusters".

Their second location will be opening soon in RDU. It is near the intersection of Miami Blvd and I40 in RTP.

I attended part of their open house presentation last night, and it looks like it's going to be a great opportunity for folks that lack equipment and/or space for their projects. They are offering discounted "pre-opening" memberships right now, with a lifetime rate lock as well.

Here is the link for the RDU Techshop:

http://durham.techshop.ws

It definitely sounds like a great opportunity.

Scott

PS: Here is an explanation of their mission, in their own words:

TechShop is a fully-equipped open-access workshop and creative environment that lets you drop in any time and work on your own projects at your own pace. It is like a health club with tools and equipment instead of exercise equipment...or a Kinko's for geeks.

TechShop was founded in 2006 by Jim Newton, a lifetime maker, veteran BattleBots builder and former MythBuster.

Anyone can come in and build and make all kinds of things themselves using the TechShop tools, machines and equipment, and draw on the TechShop instructors and experts to help them with their projects.

TechShop is designed for everyone, regardless of their skill level. TechShop is perfect for inventors, "makers", hackers, tinkerers, artists, roboteers, families, entrepreneurs, youth groups, FIRST robotic teams, arts and crafts enthusiasts, and anyone else who wants to be able to make things that they dream up but don't have the tools, space or skills.

The TechShop workshop provides a wide variety of machinery and tools for the open and unlimited use of its members, including milling machines and lathes, welding stations and plasma cutters, sheet metal working equipment, drill presses and band saws, industrial sewing machines, hand tools, plastic working equipment, electronics design and fabrication facilities, tubing and metal bending machines, electrical supplies and tools, and pretty much everything you'd ever need to make just about anything all by yourself.

TechShop is for EVERYONE! If you already know how to use all the stuff at TechShop, that's great. But most people only know how to use a few of the tools, machines and equipment at TechShop. If you want to learn about the equipment and tools you have never used before, you can take a short group "Building Block" class to get up to speed in about an hour, or take a more in-depth class on any subject to learn about it more fully. Don't be afraid to try new things, no matter if it is welding, using a milling machine, working with fabrics and leather or plastics, or cutting keyways in a gear. The whole point of TechShop is to enable you with a wide variety of new capabilities so you can start to see the pathway that lets you make new and exciting things.

[Mike Davis]

Scott,

We have seen and discussed the CA site here, i think it was before you joined. Or maybe I discussed it and most of the others dissed it.

Anyway, I think it IS a great thing and if I lived closer I would join. Why do all the great things have to be in or near Raleigh?

[NCPete]

I really like the idea, and it is similar in theme to the hobby shops that are located on many military bases. My concern is only whether such a program can pay for itself. Clearly it is not the sort of operation that would do well in lower density population areas, and membership costs would be a great alternative to investing in expensive machinery for the home-shop. Like Mike, I live to far away to take advantage of this opportunity.