Foz

There is a new hobbyist/mechanic/inventor shop opening in Menlo Park soon.

They have all sorts of equipment, from CNC machines to:

Automotive
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Dynamometer
(Measuring Horsepower of a Vehicle at the Drive Wheels)

Engine Diagnostic Computerized Reader
(Reads Diagnostic Information from a Vehicle's Computer System)

Engine Hoist
(Removing and Replacing an Engine in a Vehicle)

Floor Jack and Jack Stands
(Raising a Vehicle)

Motorcycle Lift
(Raising a Motorcycle to Workbench Height for Work)

Overhead Vehicle Lift
(Lifting a Vehicle Into the Air for Under-Vehicle Work)

Transmission Jack
(Removing and Replacing a Transmission in a Vehicle)

Surface and Finishing
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Anodizing Station
(Applying an Anodized Surface to Aluminum Parts)

Paint Booth
(Applying Paint to Surfaces)

Powder Coating Station
(Applying Powered Pigment to Surfaces)

Sand Blaster, Cabinet
(Cleaning and Preparing Surfaces)

Welding
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Plasma Cutter
(Cutting Sheet Metal)

Plasma Cutter
(Cutting Thicker Plate)

Welders, MIG
(Steel, Stainless Steel)

Welders, Oxygen Acetylene
(Gas Welding. Brazing, Cutting)

Welders, Stick Arc
(Steel)

Welders, TIG
(Aluminum, Steel)

Cost is $100 for a month pass, $1000 for a year pass.

http://www.techshop.ws/equipment.html

Shark Attack

I often thought that would be a great idea to rent lifts and such. btu what about the guy who gets his car on the lift, rips it all apart and then cant put it back together....... they what do you do?

IcemanG17

My thoughts exactly....but $100 for a month isn't bad......I'm guessing its for work only...not storage?

Foz

Apparently, they have some type of 'reservation system' -- Like with library books.

And yes, I don't think they'd be too cool with storage -- Just work.

On the other hand, it's kind of cool to have that pressure -- Keeps a clutch job from becoming a month long affair!

Tenshieternal

Wow, that place looks like it's going to be awsome.

Thanks for sharing

Airflite40

man i wanna move there! i wonder how they are going to manage the place from becoming too full, like will you have to wait in line to get in? i have thought that something like this would be heaven when i started working on my shark. they probably make you reserve time to go there in advance, like you can't just show up with a tow truck if your tranny sprung a leak.

Ron_H

Thanks for posting this Foz. I have often thought about such a workshop. I have to go 10 miles away to work on my car. This isn't too far from my place.

Nicole

If you look at the floor plan, you don't see too much space for working on cars. Am I missing something?

Ron_H

I see space for one car at a time.

Chazz

I wonder if he has had a serious conversation with his insurance agent yet.

SharkSkin

This looks like a great idea. Even if they don't have a lot of lift bays, providing access to all of the milling, turning and welding equipment is a great idea IMHO. I'm sure you have to sign the damage waiver from hell to get in, and again each time you take a class. I wonder about the viability though, more from the standpoint that one bad spindle crash on a CNC can cost thousands... and if a guy snaps off two $50 end-mills in a month, they're losing money on him. Better get in while the gettin' is good!

Airflite40

looks like they only have one lift bay, but they got a powdercoat oven! anyone told porken? seems like a place he would love!

perrys4

I do woodworking and there was a place near me that used this very idea. Problem is there weren't enough people to keep it afloat. Liability insurance is high with the power tools ect. Imagine lift issues and someone hurting themselves on the euipment. I thought of this years ago but without multiple lifts the issue of someone not getting their car back together in time for the next reservation would be a likely scenario.

tdelarm

Hmmm...looks more like a auto school. I can't imagine what insurance will cost for that operation.