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For the equivalent of 2 years membership I can purchase an impressive array of new and used shop tools and accessories and be well on my way. Here is a good ex
by johnohara 17y ago
For the equivalent of 2 years membership I can purchase an impressive array of new and used shop tools and accessories and be well on my way.
Here is a good example of what a properly equipped desktop machine shop might look like with the equivalent of 4 years membership.
http://workshop.modelengines.info/shoppics.html http://workshop.modelengines.info/shoppics.html
My favorite is the lathe-mounted microscope.
http://microscope.modelengines.info/taigmicroscope.html http://microscope.modelengines.info/taigmicroscope.html
- aaronblohowiak 17y ago"an impressive array" is quite different from being able to go somewhere and know it will just be there. Also, you don't have to worry about storing everything in your limited space, and there is also a cultural aspect. TechShop is the maker equivalent of a Gym. You could also buy a decent set of freeweights for the cost of a gym membership.
- johnohara 17y agoLet's stay with your premise. Techshop is the maker equivalent of a centralized mainframe for developers. You could also buy a laptop for the cost of a membership. My point is you need both. Home desktop (PC or machine shop) and access to equipment and resources you can't build or afford yourself. In the case of machine shops that means waterjets, plasma torches, cnc mills, etc. For developers it means inexpensive hardware borne of economies of scale and high quality open source software tools. The reality is however, that the Techshop that opened in Beaverton, OR in 2009 has since closed. In a sour economy you cancel the gym membership and buy a pair of running shoes.