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July 4th & 5th

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Welcome to the new TechShop Durham Community Website.

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 25,000 square-foot membership-based workshop in Durham that provides members with access to tools and equipment, instruction, and a creative and supportive community of likeminded 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? 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 25,000 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, ranging from $6 to $10 per square foot and they can be rented on a monthly basis.

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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Have You Filled Out the TechShop Customer Survey?

At TechShop Durham, we aim to please. In an effort to serve your needs even better, we're conducting a brief, 10-question customer satisfaction survey. Whether you're a loyal member or still haven't gotten around to visiting TechShop, we'd love to hear from you! Please complete the survey by Monday, July 6, 2009.

We look forward to your feedback!

Independence Day Weekend Closing

Happy Independence Day! TechShop Durham will be closed Saturday and Sunday, July 4-5, in observance of the holiday. Have a great weekend!

Father's Day Sale Through Sunday

From now until the end of Father's Day (Sunday, June 21), you may purchase a 1-month or 6-month membership at our annual rate. That's $500 for a 6-month and $83 for a 1-month membership.

You don't need to be a father to get this great deal, but it's OK if you are.
You don't have to buy it for your father, but you can if you want. (What a great gift!)
This offer is for anyone who has ever had a father. (I think that covers...all of us)

You can go to our Membership Page to take advantage of this Five Day Father's Day sale offer now.

Offer ends at the end of Father's Day, this Sunday, June 21, 2009.

Great New Classes!

Hey, have you noticed? We have a bunch of new classes listed. It's true! These are all new classes, never offered before. Here are just a few of the options:
* Introduction to Electricity and Magnetism
* Precision Vector Cutting of Printed Material from a Digital File
* Vertical Mill Skills #2

Coming soon to a TechShop near you!... (if you live near TechShop Durham...):
* "Tool Up TechShop" series - In this special one-time class, four students will create a Stainless Steel Fly Cutter that will stay in the machine shop at TechShop for everyone to use. Of course, you will then know how to make one if you want to have your own.
* Complete Wood Shop SBU - This upcoming SBU will cover every machine in the Wood Shop.

So head on over to our Classes Page to sign up now! By the way, if we aren't scheduling classes when you want them, or aren't scheduling the classes you want...PLEASE let us know.

TechShop Durham's First Member Meeting and Pot-Luck

We invite all TechShop Durham members and friends to join us at the TechShop Durham location for our first member meet-up this Saturday, June 6th from 11AM to 1PM.

It'll be a potluck so bring something to eat or snack on.

And if you have built something at TechShop, bring it in, show everyone else what's possible at TechShop.

One of the greatest things about TechShop is the Community. Those of us who work here get to see all of you, but now you can all meet and find out how great the community really is!

Hope to see you there.

Scott

New hours!

We hear you all loud and clear :)

Thursdays will be our late days starting next week (2009-05-28)! New operating hours for Thursdays will be 12pm - 12am. I've updated the site to reflect the change and now everyone can have their late night TechShop adventures! Just remember, you may have a long drive ahead after leaving so be sure to give yourself adequate time to make it home safely.

May Sale

We are currently having a 50% off Special for the rest of May.

Here's how it works:

  • 50% off all Memberships purchased during the rest of May 2009. (Yes, you may buy as much as you like)
  • Valid only at TechShop Durham.
  • Membership starts immediately upon purchase.
  • These prices will not renew.
  • You must pay for all you want during the month of May.

And while we're at it, all Rental Spaces will be sold at a whopping half off for the rest of May as well. That's right! Need space for a new business? How about a satellite office? Perhaps a private work space at TechShop? You can do all these and more in your own private space within TechShop. Become part of a growing community of incredible people at the Triangle's most interesting work and play shop. TechShop Durham.

Don't miss this incredible opportunity. (Read more)

Classes RSS & Short Notice Laser Class

Well, the first 2 "Laser Cutting & Etching SBU" classes we scheduled sold so fast that we decided to put up a third... for tonight!

We finally have an RSS feed for classes. Next will be a Google Calendar for classes.

Classes & Equipment List

We have added a few new classes since my last post.
The Laser Cutting & Etching SBU is now available.
An expert machinist, Dayton Jackson, is coming for 10 days to teach classes, the first of which have already been listed.
There are a few new Textiles classes as well.

We have put up an Equipment List listing what Tools and Equipment TechShop has. This list will change often, so please check back. If you think we're missing something, bring it up on the forums. TechShop is entirely member driven. If there is enough interest in something, we'll get it.

Metal Shop & Wood Shop & Welding

We have 5 new SBU classes up this time.

  • Stick Welding (SMAW) SBU - 1.5 hours
  • SawStop and Miter Saw SBU - 1 hour
  • Milling Machine SBU - 1 hour
  • Metal Lathe SBU - 1 hour
  • General Metal Shop SBU - 30 minutes
You can sign up on the Classes Page.

Scheduled Classes

Monday Jul 6thTuesday Jul 7thWednesday Jul 8thThursday Jul 9thFriday Jul 10thSaturday Jul 11thSunday Jul 12thMonday Jul 13thTuesday Jul 14thWednesday Jul 15thFriday Jul 17thSaturday Jul 18thWednesday Jul 22ndThursday Jul 23rdFriday Jul 24thSaturday Jul 25thMonday Jul 27thWednesday Jul 29th