For $7500 an individual can get a lifetime membership to Techshop. This grants access to any current or future location. Of course the machine list and capabilities of each new location will vary but the current list of resources is quite robust and includes some marquee pieces that can almost justify the cost by themselves. A short (not comprehensive list) includes: 3D Printer, 3D Scanner, Injection molding machine, vacuum forming machine, laser cutter, welding machines, tube bending, sheet forming, milling, and more. |
| Floor Plan of a Techshop |
With 8 locations the membership potential is not there for everyone but Techshop is looking to expand. Most likely the liftetime fee is part of that plan as the upfront funds will help them in thei current stated goal of raising $60 Million for expansion. Each new location is expected to cost between $2.5MM-$3MM to open, so if you have 400 close friends you can get them each a membership for life. Interestingly this seems like a very small fee all in, a large company with a decent R&D budget could fund an entire new location and give access to a large workforce, thought the IP issues would be a bit of a struggle.
Check out the video below for a more in depth look at Techshop. And if you have had any experience with one yourself please leave a comment and share!