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What is TechShop?

Time to Dust Off Your Dreams

Have you ever had the perfect idea for a project, and not been able to do anything about it because the tools are too expensive, you don’t have the room, or you just don’t know where to start? Everyone has.

Now—there’s TechShop!

TechShop is a 20,000 square-foot membership-based workshop, located right by the RDU Airport between Raleigh and Durham, that provides members with access to tools and equipment, instruction, and a creative and supportive community of like-minded people so you can build the things you have always wanted to make. 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 ever wanted to do something, but couldn’t.

Classes

Do you know how to operate over 400 pieces of tools and equipment? Probably not. No problem! TechShop isn’t just for engineers and machinists, it’s about empowering everyone with what they need to satisfy their creative spark. Starting with basic instruction to get you started, we provide all levels of classes for all levels of people — and if you do happen to already know a thing or two ... we’ll do our best to find you a class teaching the third.

Private Space

Some projects just don’t lend themselves to being constantly transported, be they large, heavy, fragile, or all of the above. Of the 20,000 square feet in the TechShop building, much of it is dedicated to rentable spaces ranging from lockers for smaller projects or personal tools, up to entire rooms for large project work spaces or “incubator” office spaces for small businesses. Our office space prices are very competitive, at $1 per square foot per month and they can be rented on a monthly basis. All are full right now, but you can add your name to the waiting list by emailing Scott at scott@techshoprdu.com

An Encouraging and Supportive Community

Some people say that the best part of being a TechShop member is to be part of the TechShop Community. Imagine gathering in one place dozens of inventors, artists, technicians, tinkerers, hobbyists, designers and engineers. Young and old, men and women of every kind. All with one common trait - creativity. And most of them willing to share their knowledge and ideas with you. A few others are secretive about their “next world changing idea,” but for the most part, you will find all the help and support you could imagine within the TechShop Community, both at the building and online. Just about everyone at TechShop is a creative person, willing to help you with your project and share your interests. That is the magic of it. Something happens to you when you join TechShop. You don’t just join it, you become part of it. You “become” TechShop.

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Closed for the Holidays

TechShop will be closed Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. We will resume normal business hours on Monday December 26th. We will also be closing early on New Years Eve [4PM], and we'll be closed New Years Day. We will again resume normal business hours on the day following.

Have a great Holiday!

Holiday Hours

TechShop will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, 11/24, but will resume regular hours on Friday 11/25.

Skip the Black Friday madness and come make a gift instead!

Open Houses and TREBUCHET WARS

We'll have two competition divisions each day we have open houses:

Division 1 will be larger trebuchets built in advance. Competitors will be building for both strength and distance, constructing engines that can hurl objects over 50 yards to destroy their opponent's trebuchet.
Division A will be trebuchets built entirely at TechShop that day. Points will be awarded based on construction technique, object(s) launched, and distance.

Rules and Restrictions:
Maximum arm length: 7'
Projectile weight: Limit: 8 lbs
Counterweight will be calculated based on projectile weight and trebuchet geometry. Maximum limit: 300 lbs

November 5 and 12
Division 1: 1 PM
Division A: 5 PM

Car restoration Etsy meetup tomorrow, 10/11

Tomorrow at 7 PM, John Pasemann of US Car Tool will be describing his work operating a successful business on land and on eBay, as well as demonstrating some techniques he uses for restoring vintage automobiles.

Check the Li Sashay blog for more details. Hope to see you there!

Cat TARDIS

Member Jad Bean has put the ShopBot to great use:

Check out the Cat TARDIS if you like pop culture DIY projects, Dr. Who, or looking at pictures of adorable cats on the internet!

Greetings, Makers!

MF:NC 2011 was a blast! Big congratulations to Jon and Angus, and to everyone who volunteered, exhibited, and/or shared Maker spirit.

We were glad to get to meet so many new folks. As always, anyone is welcome to stop by for a tour anytime we're open -- no reservation needed!

Aluminum casting tonight!

8 PM 'til we're done! It'll be hot!

We're done! It was hot!

TechShop in the news!

The News & Observer featured TechShop RDU in its Connect section yesterday (Monday, 5/30). Read the article online or come in and check out the paper version at the Front Desk!

Casting tonight

We decided a few weeks ago to shift our public casting night schedule to the first Thursday night of the month. Well, tonight is the first Thursday, which means tonight is casting night! Come join us to cast something or just watch us pour some aluminum. I'll be doing a lost foam piece, which we haven't done recently. Should be fun!

2nd Anniversary

I'm pleased to report that the shindig was a stunning success. Pictures to follow on Flickr.

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