TechShop

[TheJDMan]

I mentioned TechShop in a different thread but it occurred to me that many PT builders might be interested in these centers and may not be aware they exist.

http://techshop.ws/index.html

You can think of TechShop like a fitness club, but with tools and equipment instead of exercise equipment. It is sort of like a Kinko's for makers, or a Xerox PARC for the rest of us.
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.
TechShop provides you with access to a wide variety of machinery and tools including milling machines and lathes, welding stations and a CNC plasma cutter, sheet metal working equipment, drill presses and band saws, industrial sewing machines, hand tools, plastic and wood working equipment including a 4' x 8' ShopBot CNC router, electronics design and fabrication facilities, Epilog laser cutters, tubing and metal bending machines, a Dimension SST 3-D printer, electrical supplies and tools, and pretty much everything you'd ever need to make just about anything.
TechShop is for EVERYONE! If you already know how to use all the stuff at TechShop, that's great. If you want to learn about the equipment and tools you have never used before, you can take an "SBU" (Safety and Basic Use) class and get up to speed on that tool or machine in just a few hours. Don't be afraid to try new things, whether 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 empower you with a wide variety of new capabilities so you can start to see the pathway that lets you make new and exciting things

[TT302Z28]

Hey, that looks really cool. Wish there was one in the Sacramento area.

[TonyHuntimer]

I've driven past the TechShop in San Jose a few times. After looking at the website, it looks like a really sweet place for all of us! They should do some better advertising. I figured it was some kind of a high-tech computer store.

Tony Huntimer
RaceHome.com

[MrQuick]

My uncle took a welding class there last year and he is looking into the CNC class. He's a retired bored UC professor. He said the instructors are super helpful and they make sure you learn proper techniques.

As soon as im up and running I will send a few of my guys there to gain some skill. $1200 a year with basically unlimited use of machinery.... if the resource is there, resource the hell out of it.

[TheJDMan]

Tony,
If you get a chance stop by and scope the place out. I would love to hear a first hand review of the facilites and equipment. I suspect if one were closer to me I might have to become a member.