WHICH tech lab?

May 1, 2010 11:29 AM

I'm looking for a specific "craft center" sort of business in or around San Jose, California where one can use industrial and high-tech machinery.

I have been told of a place, referred to as "the tech lab" where one can get time using industrial and high-tech machinery. You take a class, buy a membership, and get access to CnC laser cutting, vacuum tables, welding equipment, etc. I know that they also have other locations, including, I believe, one in Portland, OR. Google is totally failing me with "the tech lab." Does anyone know what or where this place is?

posted by agentofselection to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (5 answers total)

Best answer: Are you thinking of TechShop? It's in Menlo Park.
posted by ambrosia at 11:32 AM on May 1, 2010

Best answer: Yup. TechShop is what you're thinking of. They're in the process of building one in downtown SF as well.
posted by mollymayhem at 11:52 AM on May 1, 2010

I'm not going to watch the 6 minute video just to fish the name out... but you can! A couple years ago I watched the video for a garage-based startup called headthere which makes a video conferencing robot. Anyway, I remember in the video that the founder walks you through their "shop" which is exactly what you are describing. He even says something along the lines of "this place is cool, they have all kinds of machines, printed circuit board stuff, blah blah blah". Anyway, go to headthere.com and you'll find the video. And they are definitely in the bay area.

Good luck.
posted by sharingideas at 1:11 PM on May 1, 2010

Response by poster: I think techshop is it, thanks!
posted by agentofselection at 1:33 PM on May 1, 2010

You might also be interested in hackerspaces.
posted by harmfulray at 5:28 PM on May 1, 2010