The Maker Movement

[sykavy]

I don't know if people have mentioned this movement. But it worth repeating. It is a group of enthusiastic nerds that get together to make stuff. Similar to this forum but face to face.
see this
Trendspotting | The Maker Movement - YouTube


The main hub of the movement is called "Tech Shop" It is a chain of shops that you can join like a health club. It gives you cheap access to expensive tools.
TechShop: An Inventor's Paradise in San Francisco - YouTube

Location of a Tech shop near you
TechShop is America's 1st Nationwide Open-Access Public Workshop -- TechShop Locations

[Turion]

San Jose

We have one in San Jose, about 10 minutes from my house. There are TONS of complaints about it and it has an "F" rating from the better business bureau. The major complaints are that people come from a long way and find equipment not working. This happens time after time. I checked the Better Business Bureau record of complaints to see what is, and there is only ONE complaint filed with the BBB, "The business failed to respond", which I guess is enough to get you an "F" rating.

The concept is great and there are lots of GOOD reviews when I go to reviews of the San Jose site, but also lots of complaints about equipment not working. While some of that is the responsibility of the business, it is also a responsibility of the people who use it to treat it correctly, and THAT is always a problem. And when you are using sensitive equipment that needs to be calibrated correctly for you to get the right results, it doesn't help that the previous user was a gorilla with a sledge hammer.

It's a great concept and I hope they are successful. I have a couple 3D printing projects I intend to take there. They have folks there who will do stuff FOR you so you don't necessarily have to pay the $125.00 a month membership fee to get work done. But I have no idea what the cost will be per hour to have someone else do it.

Dave

[Hitby13kw]

Round Rock Texas

Per TechShop is America's 1st Nationwide Open-Access Public Workshop -- TechShop Locations There seem to be 8 TechShops currently open, 2 more soon.

The one in Texas is about three hours away from me. Will have to plan a day trip down to see what its all about. Would love to even teach a class or pass along some experience if they had one a bit closer, your lucky Dave (10 minutes), maybe someday.

Hitby13kw