Core77

We've been big fans of TechShop, the Bay Area-based open-membership fabrication space, since running into them at Maker Faire earlier this year. In addition to hosting an immense array of tools for making just about anything, they've really put some effort into offering interesting, useful and affordable classes on everything from laser fabric-etching to MIG welding.

This latest one kind of puts them in a whole new category though: for the first time, this September 13 and 14, TechShop is teaching you how to build your own Combat Robot. Really.

Course runs two full days, covers the basics of milling, lathes and welding, and more specific topics like Defense Measures and Weapons Construction. Cost is kind of high, at $600 (early reg) plus $1000 materials fee, but here's what you get for that:

* 2 Dewalt High-Torque Motors
* 2 Matched Gearboxes
* 2 Motor Speed Controllers
* 2 Battery Packs
* 1 Master Kill Switch
* 1 Multi-Spectrum Radio Transmitter
* 1 Multi-Channel Radio Receiver
* Polycarbonate and Fasteners for Your Robot Base

Moreover, the entry fee is good for a two-person team ("Makes a great parent and child activity!"), and features a dream team of instructors, including several Combat Robot champions, and the organizer of the annual RoboGames.

Sign up here.