stumbled onto this searching on Google. http://techshop.ws/classes.html
some of these classes look really interesting in regards to building surfboards…
like…
Airbrushing
(Learn how to use a double-action airbrush and frisket masks to paint designs on paper, canvas, clothing or metal.)
Foam Cutting
(Learn how to make a hot wire foam cutter and carve foam.)
Laser Cutter and Engraver
(Learn how to use the laser cutter and engraver to cut and etch materials, and even your laptop or cell phone (at your own risk).)
Make Your Idea with the Sewing Machine
(Go through the complete process of sewing a small wallet or tote. Or move forward on your own idea. This is a hands on sewing and serging class with lots of discussion about pattern design, development, and construction. Specifically for those who want to build something with the sewing machine and want to cover the basics of construction while they sew. Instructor will show a 2-person camping tent she designed and built from scratch. Basic Sewing Class or equivalent knowledge required. )
Band Saws
(Learn how to use a vertical band saw to cut sheet materials, and a horizontal band saw to cut long and thick stock materials.)
Heat Treating
(Learn how to use a temperature-controlled heat treating oven to heat treat metals to make them harder or softer, and also to bring other materials to specific temperatures.)
Painting
(Learn how to set up and paint parts using a small air-powered spray gun. Surface preparation is also discussed.)
CNC Desktop Milling Machine SBU
(Learn to translate your parts designed in 3D CAD software into physical reality using our CNC (computer numeric controlled) router/milling machine. Parts can be made from most plastics, composites and non-ferrous metals. This class is most useful to people who have previous CAD experience or have taken an introduction to CAD class.)
Plastics / Composites
2D Photo Casting
(Learn how to use an ultraviolet light-hardening resin to make 2-dimensional shaped objects.)
Blow Molding
(Learn how to take a test tube shaped piece called a “preform” made out of PET or PVC plastic, and heat it up to a specific temperature and then inflate it with compressed air into a mold that you make to make your own custom-shaped plastic bottle.)
Carbon Fiber – Hands-On Introduction
(In this fast-paced class, you will learn the most useful basics of carbon fiber lay up, and then you will actually combine raw carbon filament cloth and 2-part high-strength epoxy to make your very own carbon fiber key fob and take it home with you. This class focuses on the “compression molding” technique of carbon fiber fabrication. In this method, the carbon fiber and epoxy are laid up in a CNC machined aluminum key fob mold and tightly clamped together, then cured in a low-temperature oven. This is a technique you can easily use to make your own custom carbon fiber parts. You will be surprised at how easy and inexpensive it really is to do your own carbon fiber fabrication of all sorts of parts, and you’ll want to use carbon fiber for many of your projects.)
Casting of Small Rubber and Plastic Parts
(Learn how to make a mold from a master object, and produce duplicates of the master object using plastic or rubber. You will also learn how to use a high vaccuum pump to control air bubbles in your mold and cast objects.)
Fiberglass Fabrication
(Learn the different methods of making parts out of fiberglass. Learn how to make a fiberglass mold of an object, and how to hand-lay fiberglass and use a chopper gun to spray fiberglass into a mold. You will also learn how to apply a gel coat to the fiberglass part.)
Injection Molding
(Learn how to build a simple injection molding tool for injection molding, and use it to make an injection-molded plastic part.)
Low-Temperature Metal Casting
(Learn how to make a silicone rubber mold and cast lead or tin in that mold.)
Plastic Materials Survey
(Learn about various types of plastic and their propertes. Types of plastic covered include 2-part curing plastics, rubbers and foams, sheet and bar stock plastics, fabrication of plastics, and finishing techniques.)
Plastic Welding
(Learn how to use a hot air plastic welder to fuse pieces of ABS, syrene, polyethylene, and nylon.)
Rotomolding
(Learn how to create hollow objects out of a variety of plastics, epoxies and resins, low-temperature melting metals, and even chocolate by using the rotomolding or rotational casting process.)
Vacuum Forming
(Learn how to create vaccuum-formed shapes.)
Vinyl Seam Welding
(Learn how to use a seam welder to produce waterproof covers, bags, and inflatable objects with vinyl sheeting.)