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TechShop Announces Chapter 7 Bankruptcy; Closes All Locations

Posted by BeauHD on from the closed-for-business dept.

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.

8 of 66 comments (clear)

  1. To many classes by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Informative

    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.

    1. Re:To many classes by serviscope_minor · · Score: 5, Insightful

      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.
    2. Re:To many classes by rickb928 · · Score: 3, Interesting

      The hackerspace I go to does put you through certification classes for the obviously delicate stuff (laser cutter, welders, lathe, mill, 3d printers) but you can use almost anything else, and no one seems interested in your certification status for woodworking equipment.

      Of course, it's not as shiny at TechShop, and we never have enough room nor electrical service to do everything at once, but it's friendly, lots of people involved with decades of experience, and affordable - free if you've got no $, but you can contribute.

      I've been to the Chandler TechShop a few times for events, it's not close enough for a membership, and it was busy, but it seemed that classes were a revenue source. Unfortunate to see it go, but our space will be looking to pick up some of their tools cheap, if the trustees liquidate.

      --
      deleting the extra space after periods so i can stay relevant, yeah.
    3. Re:To many classes by barc0001 · · Score: 3, Informative

      > no one seems interested in your certification status for woodworking equipment.

      Most woodworking equipment is robust enough that average misuse won't damage it, and gross misuse is usually harder on the meatbag attempting it than the machine. Example, in the contest of idiot vs lathe, always bet on the lathe. And have a phone handy for the 911 call.

    4. Re:To many classes by ShanghaiBill · · Score: 3, Insightful

      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.

    5. Re:To many classes by dex22 · · Score: 3, Informative

      Former member here. They had the table saws that fired an aluminum block into the blade if you touched the blade - to protect you. That would require the charge cartridge and block, and the blade, being replaced. Over $120 a pop. Nice for safety, except it would fire off for things like damp wood.

      What killed them was the required classes to use anything. You'd join ($100) then the random selection of stuff you'd want to use would cost $300-400 all in to get certified for. If the certification classes were a nominal fee, I would a) still be a member and b) have used a lot more gear.

      They were also crap at supporting electronics.

  2. So much for those who bought "lifetime" membership by cheese_boy · · Score: 5, Insightful

    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.

  3. Re:The Great Recession by ShanghaiBill · · Score: 3, Insightful

    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.