The SHEDDIE September 2018
Shed “Buzz” - what’s been happening this month.
The big move leading up to this month has been to bring the shed up to full operating status and with the full support and focus of all members this is pretty well being achieved. Next week we look forward to our first public ‘Open Day” (Saturday 27 October 10.00am-2.00pm) where people can drop in and check out the facilities available and what goes down at Menzshed in Nelson.
There’s no debate in anyone’s mind that our lease of the mighty Reliance engineering building has been a huge advantage in progressing our establishment and operational base on the local scene. The building is infinitely suitable for our purposes, and it is reassuring that our lease has been extended next year so we can enjoy the facilities we have set up over past months. Attention is also being paid to considering other solutions of a more permanent home with on-going discussions with NCC and associated planning of appropriate site, facilities and resources looking into the future.
Our “Community Assist” projects programme is gaining momentum with a number of major and minor projects already completed in the community and more in the pipeline. It’s true to say that there is a high degree of support for good causes by our members, and that we will do what we can to help out when we can. To this end we have just developed a robust process for handling inquiries asking us for community project support. The first port of call is our website homepage under the tag ‘Community Assist’ where Nelsonians can action a request for consideration and help. Obviously we can’t do everything and the final decision rests with our memberships’ time, talents and availability but we undertake to do what we can in the available circumstances acknowledging that we can’t always say yes.
Donations of tools, machinery and materials continue to come in and are much appreciated. Most gifts are put to immediate use and often assist in responding to community needs and projects. We are in the final throes of completing our “WorkBox” mobile workshop in partnership with “Helping Hands” - Mega Mitre 10, Boxman, and a substantial grant from Rata Foundation. This will enable us to take on bigger scale, deserving community projects with the confidence we have the tools and support to do the job.
Finally, it needs to said that a fundamental purpose of our Shed is for the lads to drop in have a chat and a cuppa and a few laughs, and get stuck into a few personal projects with the support of their mates. The reality even over the very short time of our setting up, is that we are accumulating an enviable wealth of talent and experience amongst our members, who are proving willing and able to share and assist their knowledge when needed.
Shed update September 2018
General
Our priority has always been to have the shed “set up for business” and this milestone has now been achieved. As a result we are now in a position to really concentrate on our community projects.
Projects (outside)
Ruru (Morepork) apartments
With Rons return we can now proceed with this project as prototypes and drawings of these wooden nesting boxes are now complete.
Bait Tunnels for Brook Sanctuary
Production continues on this project. As we now have a bay, bench and jigs set up specifically for the production of these units and so we can now put anyone onto the production team and simply “pump” them out on demand.
Angel Boxes
With Ron’s return we can complete the prototypes and drawings of this worthy project and start production.
Iron Duke Sea Scout Group boat refurbishment
This project is still ongoing with with great progress having been made. The first top coats of paint have been applied as it nears completion.
Small table repair
This repair has been completed.
Yoga support boards
A batch of these boards are underway in the woodwork department for Chris Roberts’ yoga class
Aotearoa map project
As payment for the generous donation of the sanding machine from Nigel Brown’s father we agreed to cut out a map of Aoteroa for mounting on his father’s wall. Nigel supplied two attractive pieces of Rimu to cut the map from and Waimea Menzshed cut out the map with their CNC router. John R finish sanded the project and Nigel is in the process of sorting out a suitable mounting background.
Memorial Prize for Nelson College
Richard is in the process of laminating this project in solid timber.
Peter Lamb was a Nelson College old boy living in the USA and one the worlds leading meteorologists. Peter died 4 years ago and was always very generous with the funding of many grants for Nelson College. Our part in the project is to produce the wooden base for a trophy which will be be presented to the top year 13 geography student.
Peter’s sister Joy Oakly will drop by with the the final dimension details next week.
Victory Community Centre
A small garden bed project is being completed/modified/improved by Denis and Skid.
Top of Trafalgar Street Project.
This project involves building giant draught/chess/domino sets for the NCC summer program.
It will be excellent publicity for us, however it will be a very ambitious project. It will have to look professional and be efficient with a very tight time frame and limited budget.
Projects (in-house)
Shadow boards/mobile storage bins
These units are now completed and work has started on attaching tools and storing fastenings etc.
After our open day we will re sort the tools and equipment back into the various categories on the pallets to enable us to sort and prioritise where the tools and equipment will be hung/stored etc.
Work benches
All the MDF topped work benches are now completed and in position in various areas in the shed.
Paul has completed the steel fabrication bench.
Steel racking
The first steel timber rack was a composite MDF/steel version but since the acquisition of the MIG welder the remaining two racks have been of full steel construction. Paul is our number one MIG welder and doing a great job.
Trailer donation
Wayne and Colin have been working on the donated trailer but with Colin away and other priorities at the moment this project is on hold.
New equipment
The MIG welder is up and running with Paul and Colin putting it to good use.
Wharehouse Stationary flat packs
Wayne, Grant, Peter and Al assembled most of the donated flat packs.
The shelf units are already in use in the shed with the benches on display in the foyer.
These units are for sale, (any offers willingly accepted!)
Electrical/Mechanical/Woodworking/Safety
Al and Mike continue to keep up the electrical maintenance and safety with more leads and machines being brought up standard.
Dust extraction
A dust extraction system has been ordered and should arrive in the next week or two.
3D printer
Al and Slade have the 3D printer up and running in the upstairs “Techno lab”.
Lathe
Extra tooling is on order for the lathe.
Workbox
John has the work benches for the box under construction and Denis has started on the ceiling lining.
Safety signage
This is ongoing as required
Safety inductions
Graeme is continuing in this area.
Visitor safety equipment
The cabinet in the foyer now has extra personal safety equipment installed
New member meet/greet
This area is going well under Grant
Sandwich board
This is in constant use and is a real asset.
Carving
Cairo and Shane have made a beautiful Maori “Nelson Whakatū MenzShed” carving which will take pride of place over our main front entrance.
This was completed using the carving chisels which were purchased recently and we have also set up a “carving” bay and bench in the shed.
Personal
Philip has had a spell in hospital with suspected appendicitis.
Zack “ZD” May have made light of his recent motor vehicle accident but he is still very sore and on crutches.
Denis has returned after a lengthy stint on the other side of the world.
Ron “Skid” has returned from places North.
Richard is away up North.
Wayne will be visiting his granddaughter in Ozz until mid November.
Looking ahead
In-house Shed
Consolidate
Our timber racks are now in full use with no MDF strewn all over the floor - great!
Open Day
We have an open day on the 27th Oct from 10am until 2pm.
Phillip has publicity underway for this event and it would be great if as many members as possible can attend to show people around and answer questions etc.
History
These monthly reports for the committee have been only produced since we moved into 236 Haven Road but of course there was quite a bit happening after the two sheds joined.
One of our members reminded us of probably our first project/donation exercise.
Mark Fielding needed an office clean out and we needed furniture. So - Mark, Denis, ZD and Wayne moved quite a quantity of very valuable office furniture into temporary storage in the Logan basement. When we moved into 236 the furniture was transported to the shed and installed upstairs. So now you know where those excellent draughting drawer units came from in the upstairs “office”.
MenzShed – Adding Value to The Community
