TechShop Empowers San Francisco with Grand Opening of DIY Workspace

Online, February 16, 2011 (Newswire.com) - TechShop, the first membership-based, do-it-yourself workshop and fabrication studio, will hold its Grand Opening event on Saturday, February 19, from 12:00 - 5:00 PM at its new location in downtown (SOMA) at 926 Howard. Sculptor and MythBusters co-host Adam Savage will give a keynote talk and stand with TechShop Founder Jim Newton to open the doors and welcome the public to come inside and build their dreams.

"The opportunity to engage, enable and empower San Francisco's community of highly creative people is really exciting for us," said Newton. "I have already seen some incredible projects being built here - from canoes that fold into backpacks to detailed light fixtures. I can't wait to see what else comes out of this location."

Outside, Off the Grid neighbors will offer their famous street faire food in the parking lot adjacent to TechShop. Inside, at the Grand Opening, TechShop will showcase its collection of advanced machines, tools, and technologies that enable makers, crafters, artists, inventors and others to make almost anything they can imagine. Key partners will be represented in equipment demonstrations including Autodesk, 3D Systems, Tormach, JET, and more.

"TechShop is an incredible resource for designers, inventors, and makers," said Tormach President Greg Jackson. "We're excited to have a Tormach PCNC 1100 CNC milling machine at the new TechShop San Francisco. TechShop provides a unique opportunity that hasn't really existed before for the public to get access to enabling CNC technologies. The new location means that these tools are more accessible than ever."

Grand Opening Schedule
12:15 PM Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
1:00 PM Adam Savage Keynote Talk
2:00 - 5:00 PM Demos and Tours of the Workshop
6:00 - 9:00 PM Members Mixer (members only)

TechShop Membership and Grand Opening Offers
The TechShop membership model is similar to a fitness club: Monthly dues provide access to tools and high-end machinery instead of exercise equipment. TechShop is designed for everyone, regardless of skill level.

TechShop provides members with access to a wide variety of machinery, tools and design software including milling machines and lathes including the Tormach CNC milling machine, Lincoln welding stations, sheet metal working equipment, drill presses and band saws, industrial sewing machines, hand tools, woodworking equipment including a 4' x 8' ShopBot CNC router, plastics equipment, electronics design and fabrication facilities, Epilog laser cutters, tubing and metal bending machines, a 3D Systems ProJet-3000 3D printer, 2D and 3D design software including applications from Autodesk and Adobe, and more. You do not have to be a TechShop member to take any of the more than 75 classes that are offered at TechShop.

Membership and Class Specials (available through Wednesday, February 23)
Monthly Membership - $99
3-Month Membership with 2 free Select Classes - $299
12-Month Membership with 3 free Choice Classes - $999
3 Select Class Pack - $99
3 Choice Class Pack - $199