Email us or just reply to this article if you have any suggestions about what should appear on this page. Posts to this article will be deleted as they are entered into the FAQ, so if you're interested in discussion, we recommend the Questions & Answers Forum which will also be under close watch for subjects to put here.

• Where is TechShop Located?
• TechShop Durham is located at 4022 Stirrup Creek Drive, Suite 315, just to the South and East of the intersection of TW Alexander and Miami Blvd in South Durham, NC. Here is a map to the TechShop Durham location. Other TechShop locations are being built now.

• What Are TechShop Durham's Operating Hours?
• We are open from 10 AM to 10 PM seven days a week.

• Can You Show Me How To Use the Tools and Equipment?
• YES!  We will offer several types of classes:
  • "SBU" (Safety and Basic Usage) classes are designed to provide you with safety training and get you up-to-speed on a specific tool or machine safely in about an hour or two.
  • "Advanced" and "Project" classes offer instruction in more extensive concepts and techniques
  You do NOT have to be a TechShop member to take classes at TechShop!  Everyone is invited.  We will also offer a range of programs and activities for kids and adults, including programs for home-schooled kids.

• What Classes Does TechShop Durham Offer?
• Here's our Class list page.

• What Tools and Equipment Can I Use at TechShop?
• We provide our members with just about every machine, tool and process that you can imagine, far more than is practical in a home workshop. We provide you with access to milling machines and lathes, Epilog laser cutters, sheet metal equipment, welding equipment, an indoor automotive work bay, woodworking equipment including a 5' x 8' CNC ShopBot router, plastics working equipment, hand tools, a 3-D printer, computer-controlled vinyl cutter, industrial sewing machines, and lots more. For a complete list of our tools and equipment, please see the Equipment page.

• Can I Use Any Tool or Machine in the Shop?
• Yes, as soon as you have passed the SBU (Safety and Basic Usage) class that covers that tool or equipment. Some of the tools at TechShop do not require an SBU class checkout, but any machine that can injure you or can be damaged requires you to pass an SBU before you can use it.  Once you take the SBU class, you can use that tool or machine as much as you want with your active TechShop membership.

• Can I Reserve Time on a Machine?
• Yes!  As an active TechShop monthly or annual member, you may reserve time on any machine by calling the friendly TechShop front desk staff at 919-806-5432. Some of the machines are very popular, such as the Epilog laser cutters and the Bridgeport style vertical milling machines.  As our membership grows, we will install multiples of these machines to be sure everyone who wants to use them can get time on them.

• How Much Does a TechShop Membership Cost?
• Please see the Membership page for current pricing for Daily, Monthly, 6-Month, and Annual TechShop memberships.

• How Can I Buy a TechShop Gift Certificate for Myself or Someone Else?
• A TechShop Gift Certificate is a great present for anyone!  We offer TechShop Gift Certificates in denominations from $10 to $1,000.  The certificates can be redeemed for memberships, classes, special events, member storage, or anything from our TechShop Gear retail store.

• Can My Kids Work on Projects With Me at TechShop?
• Yes!  Kids and young adults (12 through 17) can work on projects at TechShop under the direct supervision of a parent or legal guardian.  Most classes at TechShop are open to kids as young as 12 years of age when taken with their parent or guardian. (The parent or guardian does not need to take the class, but needs to be there with the student.) 

• How Long Has TechShop Been Open?
• TechShop Menlo Park opened on October 1st, 2006.  TechShop Durham opened on March, 21st 2009, but was offering classes and private work/office space before then.

• Does TechShop Carry Liability Insurance?
• Of course, we have liability insurance and we require members and people who take classes at TechShop to sign a Liability Release Waiver.  We also require members to receive safety training on machines and equipment before they can use them.  We don't want anyone to experience an injury.  We always strive to build a safety-conscious culture at TechShop.

• Can I Open a TechShop Franchise in My Area?
• Not yet.  We are working hard to open TechShop locations in Durham NC and Portland OR this year (2008), and we have plans to open additional locations in 2009.  We are not ready to offer franchise territories yet, but if you are interested in discussing this with us in the near future, please be sure you are signed up on the TechShop Mailing List, and be sure you check the check box that says "OPEN A TECHSHOP IN MY AREA".

• What Clothing and Shoes Should I Wear to TechShop?
• When you come to work on your project or take classes at TechShop, please wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes.  If you are going to use the welding equipment, CNC plasma cutter, or take the metal casting class, we also recommend that you wear long natural fiber pants and a natural fiber long-sleeved shirt (synthetic clothes can melt and cause burns).  If you are planning to use other equipment such as milling machines or lathes, please wear a short-sleeved shirt, tie back any long hair, and leave loose jewelry at home.

• What happened to the old "Unofficial Techshop Durham Forum"?
• You can find it here. We will leave it up for a while so that you may refer to the old posts, but you will be unable to post anything new there.