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TechShop Announces Chapter 7 Bankruptcy; Closes All Locations
ewhac writes: To the shock and dismay of many, TechShop today announced the immediate closure of all of its U.S. locations and is entering Chapter 7 bankruptcy proceedings. Their homepage has been replaced with a PDF relating TechShop's history, and detailing the circumstances leading to shutting down the company. First launched ten years ago, TechShop was one of the first "shared maker spaces," a members-only machine and work shop where tinkerers, makers, inventors, and innovators were able to prototype their ideas, launch products, or even just fix their own stuff. Its closing will be a huge loss to the tech and maker communities.
It was a great idea but they made you take a class to touch just about every tool so for makers like me with a decade or more of experience it was never really an option. It would have taken me months and hundreds of dollars just to get certified on all the tools I already use and own.
You say that but... my hackspace is one where any yahoo can have a go at almost anything (with very few exceptions). End result is that most things are broken most of the time and really nice expensive kit gets trashed.
I know it kind of sucked to get recertified, but trust me it sucks harder when you set aside time t owork, get over there and find all the tools fucked up.
SJW n. One who posts facts.
I am *so* glad I didn't buy a membership a year ago when they were trying to raise funds for moving the San Jose shop.
It couldn't possibly be that it was a stupid, pointless, unworkable idea.
It may have been financially unworkable, but it was neither stupid nor pointless. I was a member for years, and used it for plenty of prototyping projects. They had CNC machine tools, laser cutters, welding equipment, a full woodworking ship, 3D printers, and even sewing machines (for "welding with cloth").
They always seemed pretty busy, so I am not sure why they failed. I am sorry to see them go. This could have a detrimental effect on the local economies, since a lot of members were working on startup ideas.
The only drawback for me was the age limit. Much of the equipment had a minimum age of 18, so my kids couldn't come with me to work on their own projects.
gross misuse is usually harder on the meatbag attempting it than the machine.
That might have been the problem. Liability insurance may have killed them.