TechShop, well equipped in SFO, PDX, and RTP

[Alex Franke]

This first came up a while ago, but the location here in the RTP (Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill) area is getting a lot closer to actually opening up. The one in Portland just opened a couple days ago.

It's basically a DIYer's paradise, started by a former MythBusters advisor. It's a members-only facility with everything from a wood shop (including things like ShopBot large CNC router), machine shop, laser lab, plastics lab, sandblasting, CNC plasma cutters, metal shop, car bays, 3D printers (fabbers), finishing booths, glass shop, welding, and even sewing -- plus I probably left some out.

Anyone tried it? Anyone interested? It's not cheap, but it sure as heck sounds like a lot of fun!

The website for the SFO (Palo Alto are) location is here: http://techshop.ws/. The NC website is here: http://techshopdurham.com/ -- but it's not a very good site. The portland site is here: http://www.portlandtechshop.com/

[herb fellows]

First I've heard of it, I think it's a great concept. Only time will tell if they can make the concept into a reality.
I don't know about the rest of them, but the Woodcraft in Ct. has full shop access for a year for about $750. Of course, that's only woodworking tools, this appears to be much more comprehensive.
I looked at the California website to see what tools they had, it seems as if they are missing quite a bit, unless I just didn't find it somehow.
Just off the top of my head, I didn't see table saws, hand planes, routers, drill press...
Do you know if they have these items and/or similar (planers, jointers etc.)?

[Alex Franke]

You're right that the wood shop is not their specialty because they seem to try to cover all the bases. I think the acquire new tools based on demand/interest, though. I did see a SawStop, for example, at the Durham location.

Here's the equipment list for the Durham location: http://techshopdurham.com/equipment -- the "wood shop" section probably doesn't have a heck of a lot more than decent garage shops, but I think there are some gems worth paying to use if the need arises (such as the ShopBot, finishing booth, full size lathe, drum sander, etc -- if they end up having all those things).