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One of the coolest ideas I've seen

Interesting idea. Reminds me of the U-Fix-It auto shop with lifts that operated for years in my home town. You drove in, paid by the hour and had lifts. They provided an oil drain container and a place to get rid of oil filters and trash. They should have also rented tools - that would have been more profitable.

I think it sounds like a great idea if they have the insurance coverage needed. I'd also immediately start courses for prospective do-it-yourselfers so that they can prime the pump with customers.
 
http://www.techshop.ws/

I hope they'll open one near me!

Great idea! Sort of an LA Fitness for geeks and nerds. Actually, back when I was in the Military (Christ was my corporal) they had all kinds of hobby shops, Auto Hobby Shop, Wood Shop, metal Shop, were you could go in and they had all the tools, equipment and even materials to complete many projects. It was only a few dollars a day, course it was the military (not trying to make a profit) and the 70's.....
 
Hi.

Just for the record I didn't go through all the pages.

Very cool and extremely cheap. For the USER.

I have quite a bit of metal machinery: several lathes, several milling machines, welders, hand tools etc. and I can tell You, none of that stays in shape if there's more than 1 user. 1 who also has bought the damn things ;). The same goes for the woodworking machinery to some extent.

Who sharpens the blades/drills/cutting tools?
Who pays for the bits in the tool holders?
Who supervises the use of lathes and milling machines?
What kind of insurance company will grant an insurance for an individual to cover the damage that he/she can cause in split second with a lathe or a milling machine. Those Bridgeport Series I's are around $5K used and effing one up for $2K damages is extremely easy and happens faster than You can say OOPS...

A cool idea, but won't last long I'm afraid. Either they close down or the machines become too damaged to precision work.

Regards
Sam
 
From my post #4 above:

I think it sounds like a great idea if they have the insurance coverage needed.

Also, great note about maintenance and adjustment. I am one of the few who is even MORE careful with other people's tools than I am with my own. Ethically, one is obligated to take excellent care of things which belong to others and with which we are entrusted.

Most people (rash and unjustified generalization follows) are careless pigs who treat even their own tools like garbage, and who are even more careless and destructive with tools belonging to others.