August Update

Shed update August 2018

Projects (outside)

Last month our priority was to have the shed “set up for business” and this has not changed.However as the set up is going extremely well several outside projects and activities have also been completed.

Ruru (Morepork) apartments
Ron has produced prototypes of these wooden nesting boxes and so Richard and Mark will be starting production on these during the next month.

Bait Tunnels for Brook Sancturay 
Production is well underway with this project with 60 produced already.
The tunnels have a plywood base and the top tunnel is made from “realestate” sign core flute material.
The team consisting of Mark, Richard, Brian, Reg, John and Ken have a really efficient production line going on this project with folding,cutting and assembly jigs all set up.

Angel Boxes
Ron has been working with the hospital on this project.
Approximately 30 pregnancies in the Nelson area result in stillborn babies each year and so we could be involved in producing these miniature coffins.
Ron has already produced a prototype and production should start on this project next month.

Dining table modification
A friend of one of the members required a dining table to be shortened as she has down sized her accommodation.
John has now completed this project. The workmanship from John is of a very high order and we believe there will be a quality morning tea as payment.

Iron Duke Sea Scout Group boat refurbishment 
Professional boat builder Gavin ably assisted by apprentice Peter are currently completing a refurbishment of one of the groups sailing dinghies consisting of some fibre glass reinforcing and repainting.

Small table repair
A member of the public requires a small repair to be carried out on a glass topped table.
This work will be carried next month.

Projects (in-house)

Shadow boards
The mobile shadow boards are now fully completed by Mark, Richard, Brian and Reg. Painting has been completed by Colin and John (Rembrandt) Martin.

Tool storage units
These three tier mobile storage units which were designed by Mark and assembled under the watchful eye of Richard and his team are now completed with a somewhat dubious range of colours applied by Rembrandt John M.

Work benches
Although all of the MDF topped work benches have been completed, Paul and Colin have started work on a steel welding/fabrication bench.

Steel racking
The steel pallets that Colin sourced have been turned into the first of the timber racks by Wayne and Rembrandt John. The painting was of a somewhat restrained nature compared to the storage bins.

Trailer donation
We have been given a trailer which will require some refurbishment work.
Wayne and Colin stripped it down to the bare chassis to discover that some welding repairs are required on the chassis and a broken spring has to be replaced as well as the tail lights. Mike has started work on the tail lights and as we have the engineering skills in the group to complete the repairs we will go ahead with the project as a check on Trademe of second hand trailers and spare parts revealed that it will be economic to repair.

New equipment

We now have a brand new MMA, MIG, TIG welder and already Paul, Colin and Slade have it assembled and up and running.

Table saw

We have another table saw and small band saw as well as some other assorted small tools donated by Ann Shuttleworth

Wood lathe and bandsaw

Wayne has donated both these machines.

Assorted tools and timber

Local boat builder Trevor Arron has donated these items from his late fathers shed.

Assorted tools, equipment and fastenings 

Paul Verco donated these items after his shed clean out.

Wharehouse Stationary flat packs

We have an excellent connection with Wharehouse Stationary now whereby any office furniture which is damaged or incomplete comes to us rather than being dumped. Some of these items may be of no use but many are complete and so can be kept by us or resold.

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.

Mike has made up a lead rack and is setting up a dedicated electrical bench and electrical station.

Lathe
To make the metal lathe more efficient we hope to purchase some more tooling and a “quick change” tool post.

Workbox
John will be starting on the benches for the workbox this month and with Denis’s return we should be be able to continue the contact with Mitre 10 more efficiently.

Safety signage
A “qualified operators” list is being set up by Graeme with Grant and Wayne continuing with machine signage as required.

Safety inductions
Graeme is continuing in this area.

Visitor safety equipment
Grant and Wayne have installed a cabinet in the foyer area which will be used to store visitor safety equipment such as eye and hearing protection.

New member meet/greet
This area is going well under Grant with a steady increase in membership.
We have currently have up to 18 members on the “shop floor” with the “smoko room” bursting at the seams!

Sandwich board
Mark and Brian produced a sandwich board in double quick time and Zac arranged for the sign writing to be applied.
The completed unit was delivered recently and the result is a very classy looking unit.
This will great to show show the public we are open and generally improve our profile.

All Black test day display.
On the Saturday afternoon of the big match we manned a display in Trafalgar Street which was a great success with a number of contacts made.
Thanks to Zac who coordinated the event and John M and his wife who produced the flyer by Kiwizing an Aussie Menshed flyer, setting out the format and arranging the printing. The end result looked very professional.
Thanks to Zac, John M, Peter M, Reg, Philip, Gavin, Wayne and Richard for manning the display.

Visitor
We recently had a visit from Mike Freestone from the Bundanoon Menshed in Ozz.
Mike was very impressed by what we have achieved in the short time we have been operating and had some great ideas for projects including a garden stake driver which they sell to the public.

Looking ahead

In-house Shed

Consolidate

As our first timber MDF/ply rack has worked out well our next priority will be to produce two or three more which will allow us to move much of the stock currently scattered around on the floor into the racks.

Mike instigated the idea of placing our donated goods in some sort of order and so now we can actually find stuff and we are now in a position to store equipment in the new storage bins and place tools on the shadow boards.

We want to have an open day in the not too distant future and so our priority now is to generally tidy up (but of course still keep those outside projects rolling)

August Sheddie

AUGUST    2018      * Preparation of Workshop Equipment   *  Report on Community Projects   __________________________________________________________________________________________  

Shed Set-Up Nears Completion 

The main thrust over the last month has been to complete the shadow boards, storage bins and work benches. Despite continuing set up work, and new donations, we have accepted some new community projects. As soon as we can roster shop supervisors, we will open NWM more days. 

Preparation of Workshop equipment 

Shadow boards:  Two mobile boards readied by Mark, Richard, Brian & Colin. 

Tool storage units:  Four of these three-tier mobile units are virtually completed with just the drawer units remaining to be fitted. 

Work benches:  Charles, Gavin, Colin, Peter and Don completed all the steel framed MDF benches. Colin has set one up as a tool refurbishing unit complete with upstand, shelf, vice, plus power supply and lighting provided by Mike. 

Lathe cover:  A new fabric cover with material supplied by Wayne, sewn by Mike on his industrial sewing machine, currently set up at the Shed. 

Sheet Storage:  Colin has a source of light weight steel pallets which will be ideal for a multitude of uses. An immediate application will see them converted to timber and MDF storage racks. These racks will be bolted together so that they can be dismantled should we move premises. 

Gee clamp racks:  Gavin, Charles, Peter and Colin have now completed this project so we can now store the dozens of clamps that Gavin has donated. 

New Community Projects Commence 

A number of projects coming up in the not too distant future and some small projects have already been completed, such as:.    

Ruru (Morepork) apartments:  Rex and Ron have produced prototypes of these wooden nesting boxes which could develop into an ongoing production project. 

Rat traps for the Brook sanctuary:  A Prototype trap has been produced and like the Ruru project this could be an ongoing production project. 

Compost Box:  Another community group, Nelson Environment Centre, asked for a minor carpentry project to demonstrate good composting techniques. 

Angel Boxes:  Approximately 30 pregnancies in the Nelson area result in stillborn babies each year and so we could be involved in producing these miniature coffins.  Ron has been working with the hospital on this project, and he has already produced a prototype. If we participate with the project, it is envisaged that we would produce the basic box which would then be handed on to another commiunity group with artistic skills to decorate the exterior. Another group could complete interior linings. 

Electrical Installations in the Shed and the Workbox 

Al and New member Mike installed the new lathe and repaired the abrasive cut off saw switch donated by Charles.  Al continues work on the 3D printer.  Murray Leaning will coordinate the electrical installation in the Workbox.  Al has his testing certification renewed, which means that all power tools and leads will be tagged. 

Steady Flow of Donations Arriving  

Table saw:   A heavy duty, quality “Wadkin” table saw was delivered by crane truck. 

Drill presses:  That is not a misprint it is meant to read plural! Two bench type drill presses have been donated as well as a range of assorted hand tools. 

Large table belt sander:  Nigel Brown has donated a terrific sander, a beautifully made piece of equipment, and a credit to his father who built the complete unit.  An artistic exchange, Nigel will help us cut a wooden map of Aotearoa from a piece of Rimu timber which he will supply.  

Linisher:  Mike has engineered a very effective belt tracking system as well as improving the electrical safety on this machine. 

Lathe:   Mike designed, made and installed a safety micro switch system whereby the lathe cannot be started until the chuck key is removed and the chuck guard is swung into position.  Mike also donated and wired in a swivel light on the lathe.  Wayne gave the lathe its first workout by machining six supporting foot plates and then levelling the machine up. 

Finally, Health and Safety, Always First  

Graeme & Ron continues H&S inductions, repeated for the new members arriving steadily.  

Wayne has replaced all the loose rivets and worn pivot bolts in our step ladder. 

Grant is showing visitors and prospective members our facilities.  As suggested by Waimea MenzShed, the “Front door Greeter” eliminates interruptions to workflow. 

 

MenzShed – Adding Value to The Community 

Full July 2018 Sheddie

            “Shed facilities action” 

 ________________________________________________________________________________________ 

THIS EDITION IN SHORT   * Donations of Workshop equipment   *  Report on Community Projects  * Steady Progress with WORKBOX  *   __________________________________________________________________________________________  

New donations continually offered! 

*  Margaret Hunter kindly donated a considerable quantity of Melteca MDF Board from her late husband’s joinery business. 
*  Member Mike Gough has donated a very high end Record wood working vise.  (Mike can also supply a dust extractor at a very reasonable price.) 
*  Committee Member Gavin has donated two heavy duty fire extinguishers. 
*  NMIT have donated the following; 
Colchester tool room lathe complete with additional tooling, 
Heavy duty Pedestal grinder, 
Two High quality bench vices. 

Our first major Community Project Completed for “Light Nelson” 

Display Table for the “Light Nelson – Alice in Wonderland Show” 

This involved the construction of a 7.8 metre x 2.4 metre table for Larrise Hall who was one of the artists involved with the mid winter “Light Nelson” held at the Queens Gardens. We decided to build 18 saw horses to support a sub frame which in turn supported prepainted MDF panels. 

The table was totally set up in the shed and then all the components were numbered and coded. In a team effort, on the Monday morning before the event, a large crew of Sheddies dismantled for transport to the site.  We were fortunate to have Adrian Faulkner offer his large van, and steady hand, to facilitate loading.  Great teamwork allowed smooth transport of the sawhorses and the 4-metre main bearers to the set up zone. The weather was not consistently kind over the weekend of the show, but the painting of the MDF table stood up well. 

We dismantled the table the day after the conclusion of the show and transported the components back to base. We now have the all the materials back in stock and 18 sawhorses for our shed 

 Minor Community Projects Resolved 

Trestle table rack for Victory Community Centre:  This was a simple construction made very efficiently by Richard and delivered in the Logan Ute. 

Stepping platform for “Health Kids” early learning centre: This was a pallet type unit quickly and efficiently constructed by Richard. 

Bar stool modifications:  Gavin shortened up the legs on two bar stools for a member of the public for the reasonable charge of a bag of savouries. 

Electrical Installations 

Al and New member Mike installed the new lathe and repaired the abrasive cut off saw switch donated by Charles.  Al continues work on the 3D printer. 

Shed Furnishings 

John has further improved the existing timber rack. 

Colin has refurbished and mounted the first of the engineering bench vices. 

Mark and Richard have the prototype storage bin system completed. 

Next on the list will be the tool shadow boards. 

Mark has moved the drawing office to the northern room on the first floor. 

We have official NCC permission to use the new larger smoko room on the first floor. 

Steady Progress on WorkBox, the Mitre10/Boxman container  

John Rominger and helpers are making great progress with the lining now completed.  

Mark designed workbenches and tool trolleys that have been cut, so components are ready to assemble & paint.   

Finally, Health and Safety, Always First  

Graeme has started H&S inductions, which can be repeated by appointment. 

Grant and Wayne are continuing with machine signage. 

The First Aid cabinet is mounted adjacent to the workbox. 

 

MenzShed – Adding Value to The Community 

July Sheddie Update 2018

July Sheddie Update 2018

 

Although our shed is not totally up and running we have completed our first project.

Table for the “Light Show”

This was the construction of a 7.8 metre x 2.4 metre table for Larrise Hall who was one of the artists involved with the mid winter “Light Show” held at the Queens Gardens. We decided to build 18 saw horses to support a sub frame which in turn had prepainted MDF panels mounted on top.The table was totally set up in the shed and then all the components were numbered and coded.
The table was then dismantled for transporting to the site.
Members set the table up prior to the show and we were fortunate to have Adrian Faulkner turn up with his large van as we were loading up and so Adrian kindly transported the sawhorses and the 4 metre main bearers to the set up zone. Unfortunately the weather was not kind over the weekend but due to the painting of the MDF the table stood up well.

We dismantled the table the day after the conclusion of the show and transported the components back to base.

We now have the all the materials back in stock and 18 saw horses for our shed

 

Trestle table rack for Victory Community Centre

This was a simple construction made very efficiently by Richard and delivered in the Logan Ute.

Stepping platform for “Health Kids” early learning centre

This was a pallet type unit quickly and efficiently constructed by Richard.

Bar stool modifications 

Gavin shortened up the legs on two bar stools for a member of the public for the reasonable charge of a bag of savouries.

Toilet doors 

Toilet doors for Rutherford Kindergarten were made by Richard and fitted by Wayne.

Mitre10/Boxman container 

John Rominger and helpers are making great progress with the lining now completed.

Donations

Margaret Hunter kindly donated a considerable quantity of meltica board from her late husband’s joinery business.

NMIT have donated the following

A Colchester tool room lathe complete with additional tooling.
2 High quality bench vices.
A heavy duty Pedestal grinder

New member Mike Gough has donated a very high end Record wood working vise.

Mike can also supply a dust extractor at a very reasonable price.

Gavin has donated two heavy duty fire extinguishers

Electrical installations

Al and New member Mike installed the new lathe and repaired the abrasive cut off saw switch donated by Charles.
Al continues work on the 3D printer

Shed set up

John has further improved the existing timber rack.
Colin has refurbished and mounted the first of the engineering bench vices.
Mark and Richard have the prototype storage bin system completed.

Next on the list will be the tool shadow boards.
Mark has moved the drawing office to the old smoko room
We have official permission to use the new larger smoko room.

Health and Safety

Graeme has H and S inductions starting soonGrant and Wayne are continuing with machine signage.
The First Aid cabinet is mounted adjacent to the workbox
Graeme and Zac have a new member detail sheet developed.

Watch this space

 

 

June 2018 Sheddie

                            JUNE Ed. 2018   “New Shed facilities finalised ”

 Introducing the “The Sheddie” - your fast track source to what’s up with Nelson/Whakatu- MENZSHED ________________________________________________________________________________________

THIS EDITION IN SHORT  New Shed facilities finalised  *  Refurbishing the new Shed - Report on Progress  * Big Progress with WORKBOX project * Generous donations of Workshop equipment Continue   *  Wanted - list of Items  *  Community Projects assistance -  how we intend to coordinate our efforts __________________________________________________________________________________________

New shed facilities finalised

Continuing negotiations with NCC, led by Co-chair of NWM Philip Chapman, have successfully accessed all the essential pieces to create a comprehensive and fully operational workshop environment at our new premises on Haven road. The generous office space has been put to good use in the form of seminar presentation, Smoko room and Visitor lounge, a Design room and Reception/display area. The ‘Lean To’  area now boasts a very comprehensive machine shop, and the newly acquired ‘Big Space’ now houses our WorkBox portable work shop container with its (planned) comprehensive set of  hand power tools and gear which will be used specifically in this area on group and individual project work. Altogether the net result is a very comprehensive shed facility and probably more than we ever hoped for some months ago. Most of us would agree to that it compares very well with some of the best established sheds in New Zealand now and we are looking forward to maximising the use of the space as the final details of outfitting it are completed. A great job done and congratulations to all who help make this happen.

Refurbishing the new Shed and  Big Progress on WorkBox Project

Under the watchful eye of shed workshop boss Wayne Logan, the Shed machine shop is pretty well set to go. Additional power points have been installed along the wall and in floor to serve the main saw bench. A small glitche with electrics on the saw bench has been repaired and work benches will soon be finished which will see this area fully operational. The WorkBox project is well underway with Wayne, John Rominger and Richard  overseeing the making of workbenches and lining the interior of the container.  WorkBox Partner Murray Leaning is lining up further assistance from committed tradies who will donate signwriting and electrical work to further progress the project. At some stage the Big Space will be marked out to delineate separate project workspaces and safety walkway paths, so that members can bring in projects and begin working on them. 

Generous donations of Workshop equipment -  and - “donor name plate” acknowledgements

We continue to receive significant donations of machine tools and power and hand tools which are always gratefully accepted and to date so far we have had very little duplication, so keep it up everyone, If you hear of anything being offered or has no place to - then please suggest our place – the Shed – reinforcing its going to be put to good use and probably much of the time to a deserved or needy cause. With major items eg. large workshop quality tools, we are starting a tradition of acknowledging the donor with a name plate which indicates the origin and name of the giver. 

“Wanted” Items list   

Virtually all our plant, furniture, tools and equipment have been donated to date, and we are very appreciative of donors /contributors who have thought of us first. Find below a short list of items we are immediately interested in obtaining:

Solid large workbenches / any kind of workshop tools and machine tools / hand tools / power tools in good going order / desk top computers and flat screens / large flat screen TV /  adjustable design room lamp. Please contact  Wayne 0273460069 or Rod Schmidt 022456 6941

Community Projects Assistance -  how we intend to coordinate our efforts

A number of members have been asking whether our Shed will be actively responding to community requests for  help and employing a coordinated approach to community projects . The answer to both these aspects is a categorical Yes. We discussed this aspects of operations at our last committee meeting and have set up a Community ( Partnership) Projects sub Committee (CPPC) to facilitate and rationalise our collective response to community projects. Clients requesting assistance will be asked to complete a simple request form which profiles their organisation or personal profile and outlines their assistance requirements. These requests will be considered by the CPPC and approved /declined on their relative merits and our ability to deliver. As one famous social innovator and social worker once said “ We can only do what we can do – no more “

The WorkBox portable container workshop is an important initiative in improving our capability to help and deliver this service. It means we can really deliver with some heavy hitting machinery and tools when we turn up to ‘lend a hand’ at some of the major projects we will involve ourselves in, in the form of “Working Bees”. Remember too that the WorkBox is a three way Partnership help initiative involving Mitre 10 Mega (and the Helping Hand initiative) and Boxman and we will liaise with them through the CPPC as to which projects we mutually agree to assist with. Later in the month we will be posting details on our website about how groups/individuals can apply for help and the processes associated with this, but also spelling out that our means are also limited both in terms of time and manpower.

Mid May 2018 Sheddie

Mini Mid-May Sheddie

Operations and NWM/Community Project Update

A valuable update from Committee Member Wayne Logan:

Progress on Setting Up and Commissioning the Shed:
a.]  Al Stewart our new “sparky” member has the big table saw up and running.
b.]  Richard has set up three of the other machines on a new table, all running.
c.]  John and Peter are building the wooden benches for the Workbox, which  has been hauled into the Shed.  This will be shifted into place, to be ready for fit-out.
Tomorrow (Thursday) a bunch of us will be welding up the steel benches and John and Peter will continue working on the wooden benches.
If you come to the Shed, sign in with Wayne, and help prepare, align, clean, lubricate and sharpen.-- 

MENZSHED: ADDING VALUE TO THE COMMUNITY 

First NWM/Community project adopted:
Presented to the Wednesday Working Bee, accepted: as reported by Wayne.
"Larrise Hall and "Light Nelson," for their show at the Queens Gardens in July - wants a table constructed (7.8metres x 2.4metres)
"Wednesday morning she dropped in to the shed and outlined the project to us.
Several members were present and we all agreed to continue with the project. She has sufficient MDF board of her own to complete the table and we are suggesting that we build a bunch of saw horses to sit the table top on. We will then have a useful number of saw horses at the end of the project which we can then use ourselves.
"To this end I have obtained saw horse drawings from NMIT and so we should be able to set up a production line and knock them out really quickly.
"We intend to build the table at the shed, code all the parts, pull it apart, transport it to the site and assemble it."

May 2018 Sheddie

                                   MAY Ed. 2018   “WORKSHOP DEVELOPMENT ”

 Introducing the “The Sheddie” - your fast track source to what’s up with Nelson/Whakatū-MENZSHED ________________________________________________________________________________________

THIS EDITION IN SHORT  *  Refurbishing the new Shed - Report on Progress  *  Generous donations of Workshop equipment Continue   *  Regular Wednesday Weekly “Open Shed”  Wed. 9-12 noon. – with Working Bees  *  Wanted - list of Items  * First ever Wednesday seminar presentation – Gavin Cooke – 60 years building boats – things I have learnt !    __________________________________________________________________________________________

 Refurbishing the new Shed.

We’re into it! Setting up the main Machine Workshop (under the watchful eye of workshop boss Wayne Logan) has been our latest priority, and installation and powering up of this area is coming along well. So far this has taken two Wednesday weekly working Bees and Bees in this area will continue to be our focus until we get the job done, We has almost the full compliment of gear but most obviously missing is a band saw, so keep your eyes peeled so we can complete the set and the vision for this space. There’s been some great work done in our design room with the refurbishment of a professional quality drawing board, led by new member Mark, who comes from a design background so a “ Big Ups” for him and his helpers.

Generous donations of Workshop equipment -  and “donor name plate” acknowledgements

We continue to receive significant donations of machine tools and power and hand tools which are always gratefully accepted and to date so far we have had very little duplication, so keep it up everyone, If you hear of anything being offered or has no place to go then please suggest our place – the shed – reinforcing its going to be put to good use and probably much of the time to a deserved or needy cause. With major items eg large workshop quality tools, we are starting a tradition of acknowledging the donor with a name plate which indicates the origin and name of the giver. 

Regular Wednesday Weekly “Open Shed”  Every Wednesday- 9.00am -12 noon.  -  With Working Bees

Our Weekly Wednesday Shed open Days seem to be locked in and happening now and we have paired these up with a Working Bee theme as well with plenty of down time for a cuppa and a chat. Please note that we start at 9.00am now cf 10.00am, as there is quite a bit to be done at the moment. It’s great so see new faces arriving and joining us every week, so if you are new to town or the Menzshed vibe, or just thinking of joining, come along on a Wednesday to check us out, take a tour, and chat with the lads…. And of course join up !. Our membership fees are $50 p.a. with an option to join a time bank scheme if you wish.

“Wanted” Items list   

Virtually all our plant, furniture, tools and equipment have been donated to date, and we are very appreciative of donors /contributors who have thought of us first. Find below a short list of items we are immediately interested in obtaining:

Solid large workbenches / any kind of workshop tools and machine tools / hand tools / power tools in good going order / desk top computers and flat screens / large flat screen TV /  adjustable design room lamp.  Please contact  Wayne on cell 027 346 0069

Weekly Wednesday seminar presentations

This week we are starting the first session of what we hope will be a regular Wednesday Weekly Seminar Presentation on a selected topical theme or issue. (20 minutes presentation with visuals and follow up discussion)  

Gavin Cooke has agreed to be our first speaker on the topic – “60 years of boat building – things I have learnt !” Venue and Time: Seminar Room Time 11.15am.

It’s all supposed to be pretty low key, casual and informative, and Gavin has already proven he has a lot of experience – both practical and life –which we would all like to hear more about.

Other speakers and topics that spring to mind are;

  • ·       What sort of Shed do we want to be  - Possibilities ? Presenter Wayne Logan (Mens’ shed Oz Visits)
  • ·       Time Bank –a parallel alternative system of contributing to Shed growth and prosperity Presenter  -Graeme O’Brien
  • ·       Keeping us in the Black  - applying business principles to NWM  Presenter Rod Schmidt - Treasurer

Let us know what your thoughts on organising these talks and other topics ….. and speakers you would be interested in hearing (about)
Nelson/Whakatū Website  www.Nelson/Whakatū - Menzshed
Want to know  more about Menzshed generally and Nelson/ Whakatū in particular?  Then our revised website is the place to go to find the most current information. Our webmaster Rob Shade is totally on the job and always adding to what is becoming a pretty comprehensive, interactive and responsive website for our organisation.

Community Projects / community assistance programme

Our committee is working on establishing a process which responds most appropriately and effectively to our commitment to help out where we can with community oriented help projects. Key to our strategy is the establishment and operation of Workbox – the seemingly mythical portable workshop in a container that has been much talked about but no one has yet seen. This is soon to change as WorkBox – the portable Workshop in a container – is imminently due to arrive at the shed in the next two weeks, after its new exterior paint job is completed at Boxman (one of our key sponsors who has provided the purpose built container). After moving on- site we are charged with the task of lining the interior/ installing moveable workbenches and purpose built shelves and storage units and coordinating electrics and tool purchase (with the valuable sponsorship of materials supplied in part by our other major sponsor - Mitre10 Mega)  So keep an eye out for its arrival in the next couple of weeks.

Upcoming events - but no firm dates yet

Official Opening: Members/ VIPs /sponsors /Media invited

AGM   Inaugural AGM of NWM

April 2018 Sheddie

             APRIL Ed. 2018   “OPEN FOR BUSINESS”

 Introducing the “The Sheddie” - your fast track source to what’s up with Menzshed – Nelson/Whakatū ________________________________________________________________________________________

THIS EDITION IN SHORT  *  Refurbishing the new Shed - Report on Progress  *  Generous donations of Workshop equipment delivered to shed  *  Regular weekly “Open Shed”  Wed. 10-12 noon. Members only  *  “Wanted” Items list * Working Bees Coming up  *  Roadmap Dates to Official Opening Day  *  Weekly Wednesday seminar presentations  * New  website revamp  __________________________________________________________________________________________

 Refurbishing the new Shed.

Great progress has been made on refurbishing the new shed spaces with initial efforts going into setting up our spacious office/recreational suite of rooms. We now have a very respectable foyer/reception space where members can sign in, use the downstairs lounge or have a game of pool. Upstairs we have a seminar room for audio/ visual presentations, a design room for firming up project concepts and working drawings, and a Smoko room for meetings and having a chat. The process of setting up workshop space has begun with moving in donated machine shop equipment, however this area will need a lot more input and time to ensure we create a safe and functional workshop environment. (keep your eye out for ‘WorkingBees’ associated with these developments and also our revised list of what we still need by way of gear and equipment). Together with other equipment already donated, we already have a fantastic basis for a pretty comprehensive wood machine shop.  

Generous donations of Workshop equipment

Our workshop setup received a great initial boost with Committtee member Gavin Cooke donating his entire work shop suite to the shed. Not only content with this Gavin (and friend Ian) also figured out how to shift items we found impossible to lift, such as an extraction unit and a massive saw bench. With a combined 158 years of experience between them and using their brains rather than brawn, the dynamic duo used a combination of block and chain, levers and just a little brute force to get the job done. Awesome efforts lads - Much appreciated!

Regular Wednesday Weekly “Open Shed”  Wednesday. 10.00am -12 noon.

On Wednesday April 4, we will been having our first Wednesday Weekly – “Open Shed” session, primarily as a meet up time for members, but also an opportunity for prospective members to come and check us out. Only our recreational and social spaces are open at the moment, but it’s a good chance to call in for a cuppa, re-establish contact with the lads and also find out what will be happening next and how you might be able to help out. One of our immediate focuses as a group is to sort out what sort of Shed operation we want to run with, and if you haven’t thought about it too much before, then check out our new revised website www.Menzshed Nelson/Whakatū, with its ABOUT US section which outlines the developmental history of Mens’  sheds around the world, and STORY describing the growth of  Mens’ sheds in the local Nelson area. If you want to promote a particular brand of shed culture you think would add value, then it will pay now to speak up and throw in your bit to ensure Our Shed development heads in the desired direction.

“Wanted” Items list   

Virtually all our plant, furniture, tools and equipment have been donated to date, and we are very appreciative of donors /contributors who have thought of us first. Find below a short list of items we are immediately interested in obtaining:

Solid large workbenches / any kind of workshop tools and machine tools / hand tools / power tools in good going order / desk top computers and flat screens / large flat screen TV /  a Design drawing board./ adjustable design room lamp.  Please contact Denis 0274746631 or Wayne 0273460069

Working Bees Coming up -  Dates

We’re very keen to have members help out on WORKINGBEES coming up on the calendar so first up check out what the term WORKINGBEE means before putting up your hand .  Here it is ……

working bee noun   AUSTRALIAN/NZ

1.an occasion when volunteers come together to carry out communal work.

Eg. "many a working bee was organized to improve the facilities"

2. New Zealand defn - a voluntary group doing a job for charity

And that’s exactly what we are using them for. Here’s what’s coming up…….

 

WorkingBee #1A Wednesday  4 April 11.00am  Stacking timber in the “Lean To” Workshop

Working Bee #1B Wednesday 4 April 11.00am  Floor clean and polish (office spaces)

WorkingBee #2 Wednesday 11April 10.30am Cleaning and oiling machinery in Workshop

WorkingBee #3 Wednesday 18April 10.30am  Round town Pickup -  Donated Workshop Machinery

Roadmap Dates to Official Opening Day

Wednesday 4 April first weekly Wednesday visit MNW

Wednesday 4  April  media visit with Committee MNW

Wednesday 4 april  informal committee meting on NCC grant and aspirations /commitments

Monday 9 April committee meeting at MNW

Opening Day TBA  all members /new members / VIPs/ Guests to be invited;   Sometime later in April

Weekly Wednesday seminar presentations

Just a thought but maybe we should have a Wednesday Weekly Seminar Presentation on a selected topical theme or issue. (20 minutes presentation with follow up discussion)  Immediate thoughts are:

·       What sort of Shed do we want to be  - Possibilities ? presenter Wayne Logan (Mens’ shed Oz Visits)

·       60 years of boat building - what have I learnt ?  Presenter Gavin Cooke

·       Time Bank –a parallel alternative system of contributing to Shed growth and prosperity  -Graeme O’Brien

·       Keeping us in the Black  - applying business principles to MNW  Presenter Rod Schmidt - Treasurer

Please have a think about this and let us know what your thoughts on organising these talks and other topics.

New Shed  Website Revamp   www.Menzshed-Nelson/Whakatū

Thanks to some great technical work by Robert Shade (our current Web master) we have been able to review  our Shed website material so It’s more in keeping with our amalgamated status and direction. Additions include an historical background to the Mens’ shed movement globally, our own local story, an updated logo and some historical and contemporary photo stories for our news section. Thanks Robert.

March 2018 Sheddie

                         5TH   MARCH  2018

 Introducing the “The Sheddie” - your fast track source to what’s up with Menzshed Nelson/Whakatū Inc.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

This edition in short   * Amalgamation – We’ve done it ! ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­  *  New workshop premises -  We’re moving in !   * New workshop fit out taking shape with generous donations and Urgent Working Bee this Wednesday  * Rata Foundation Grant of $15000 received  *  Help ! We still need stuff  *  Recruit a friend to MNW  

Amalgamation – We’ve done it!  Now its “Menzshed Nelson/Whakatū”  

At a Special General Meeting held last week MNI members voted unanimously to a name change (as above ) then moved that Menzshed members from both central sheds (both Nelson and Whakatu)  become members of the newly names entity Menzshed Nelson –Whakatu. A new constitution was adopted and elections held for a new committee, numbering nine members with a pretty even split between the two sheds. Committee members from old MNI are Hamish, Rod,Gavin and Denis and from MW – Zack, Philip, Shane and Cairo   Both chairs of the old sheds (Philip and Denis) have agreed to stay on as joint chairs for the remainder of the setting up period, but intend to stand down from leadership positions when the AGM for the organisation comes round within the next three months. Zack is the new secretary and Rod the new Treasurer. We will profile the new committee members in the next Sheddie edition- April edition.    

New workshop premises -  We’re moving in !

On March 1 the two Joint chairs Philip and Denis signed a lease for the Reliance building space on Haven Rd  Our new postal address is 236 Haven Rd. The lease is for one year only and we were pleased to take up this opportunity knowing we could achieve a lot in the new premises and set up our equipment for a quick exit at the end of the lease if we have to. The leased part of this massive building includes a lean to workshop space with 3 phase and single phase power and a complete office suite on the eastern end of the building with ample adjacent car parking. Intended use of the office space include a foyer reception area including a display space of current projects and a small library, a locker room and workshop for fine detailing and small craft work projects. The upstairs rooms will house a AV presentation/committee room, a design room, a Smoko room,toilets and a small storage/meeting room.   

New workshop “fit-out” taking shape with generous donations and a Working Bee this Wednesday March 7 starting at 8.00am.

The process of moving in and fitting out spaces has already begun and over the next two weeks we will be busy doing a thorough Spring Clean of the entire premises and moving in substantial donations of furniture and machinery and tools to fit out the site. To this end we are calling an urgent Working Bee for this Wednesday starting at 8.00am at Reliance. (Sorry about the short notice but we are hosting a presentation on Thursday and decided we could hurry things along and prepare some rooms before Thursday this week.) Wayne is bringing some industrial quality cleaning equipment – a carpet cleaner , vacuum cleaner etc and we will have cleaning agents and rags, but if you have a good vacuum cleaner and/or a mop and bucket please bring it along and we can speed things up considerably.  A couple of medium step ladders may come in handy as well. Has anyone got a polisher we could use for the vinyl floors? Later in the week and/or next week we will be picking up Gavins’ workshop machinery and other machinery donations to fit out the ”Lean To” workshop. We will need volunteers to help load and unload, and trailers/ trucks utes to transport gear if you have them. We will decide on a date for shifting gear on Wednesday at the working Bee. It could be either Friday 9, Monday 12, or Wednesday 14 dependent on availability of members. Please phone Denis (027 4746631) or Wayne (027 3460069) if you can help.

Help ! We still need stuff

We have done surprisingly well with most aspects of “moving in requirements” but would welcome donations of the following items. Tall Office dividers, library style shelves -  suitable for storing displaying books, banks of metal locker cabinets, a drafting/design board, 2x  desk top computers of recent origin and large monitors, and a large 50 “ + monitor for the presentation/ committee room. Phone Denis or Wayne if you can help.(phone numbers above )

Rata Foundation Grant of $15000 received for WORKBOX

Also last week we were notified of a successful result re our application to the Rata Foundation for financial assistance to equipment our “Workbox” -  portable container workshop. The $15000 will ensure we have some magnificent tools and equipment associated with this project. You will soon be able to view some specific detail of this on-going project in our new display area.

Recruit a friend to MNW

Now we have a firm pathway to the future of NMW we invite you to promote the Shed and its new direction to friends as possible new members. We will soon have more specific detail on subs and other related details on our revised website so stay posted to view these revisions in the next couple of weeks. 

February 2018 Sheddie

 Introducing the “The Sheddie” - your fast track source to what’s up with Nelson/Whakatū Menzshed Inc.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

This edition in short   * Amalgamation – Almost there  ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­*  SGM postponed til late February  * Move to new workshop premises early March still on schedule  * Generous donations to gear up new workshop  * Workbox Update * Open day planned for new workshop launch * New Membership drive  

Amalgamation - Almost there - but Special General Meeting  postponed!

Whoops! Sorry… but we need to postpone our SGM for a couple of weeks due to unforseen circumstances.(note the new date and timing of this meeting) Our Special General Meeting which was to be held this coming Monday, has been postponed until February 26 (see Postponement notice of meeting details sent out by MNI secretary.)  We’re almost there though, and on the Notice of meeting you will see where we are heading with our amalgamation process with the list of motions which will be put to members. One of our last items of business will be an Election of officers of the newly amalgamated Nelson Whakatū Menzshed, so be there to participate and be part of the decision making. Nominations can be made on the day or previously by email to the secretary Rod Schmidt.   

Revised ROADMAP TO AMALGAMATION  …….AND  LAUNCH OF NELSON/WHAKATŪ MENZSHED INC(NWMI)

FEB  21   (Wed)                         FEB 26 (Mon)                    MAR 2 (Fri)                    MAR 5?(Mon)                       MAR 12?(Mon)

FINAL JAC MEETING           MNI/NWM  SGM         NEW COMM MEETS       LEASE SIGNING RELIANCE      OPEN DAY RELIANCE

3.30pm NMI HQ                 4.30pm NMI HQ             1.00pm NWM HQ                    TBA                                             TBA

Move to new workshop premises early March still on schedule

We have recently received a draft lease to approve from NCC which, when signed by the new committee, will cement our lease for the agreed term of a year (initially) with further rights of renewal/occupation should this be available. The present committee believes we can make substantial progress to setting up a great workshop environment at the Reliance site, which can be moveable and transportable to alternative premises if need be.

Generous donations to gear up new workshop

Several generous donations of tools and equipment have been gifted to us from friends, supporters and members since the news of our impending shift to a new workshop premises became publicly known. We would like to publically acknowledge the generosity of Kerry Neal - a well known local builder, who is gifting several items of workshop quality machinery, Ash Wells - NMI member, who has donated a compressor and associated attachments/tools, and Gavin Cooke - present committee member and accomplished local boat builder, who has also offered workshop quality tools and equipment and possibly some timber. Just a reminder also that we has also been sponsored for our first years rent by an anonymous donor, and will also have some NCC community grants money totally $10,000 awarded to the new amalgamated shed entity, to help us with establishment costs and initiatives associated with the new premises. All this assistance places us in a pretty good position for a successful setup phase in the new premises, and with the WORKBOX PROJECT coming to fruition then things could be looking pretty good for an operational workshop coming together in this first half year. Once again a very BIG THANKS to all concerned for your generous assistance.  If you would also like to assist with any further donations of tools, equipment, or anything else you think might be useful, then please call Wayne Logan our workshop coordinator - phone 027346069.

 Workbox Update

Hold your breath, pray or offer up burnt sacrifices as we wait to hear from Rata foundation with our requested resubmitted application supporting the tooling up of WORKBOX – our relocatable containerised workshop – intended for use in community projects and workshop based projects when back in the Shed. We expect to hear back in the first week of March from the Rata Foundation whether our resubmission produces the desired result – so here’s hoping !  Combined with the probably of a suitably equipped workshop base at Reliance , we couldn’t hope for a better start to the year.

Open day planned for new workshop launch

Watch this space for an invitation to our Opening day at the new Reliance building workshop in early March. The tentative date is Monday March 12, and we will confirm this as things firm up in the next couple of weeks. Naturally we will appreciate offers of assistance from members with the occupation and setup of office/ rec room and workshop space, so don’t be retiring when the time comes to pitch in. We should firmer details of this at the SGM on the 26 march.

New Membership drive

Yes, we will be actively recruiting for new members once the initiatives described above take place.  Obviously we will be publicising developments via the usual channels as they take place, and Opening day will be a focal point for both publicity opportunities and for the local community to give us a visit and once over as well. If you have interested mates then let them know re developments and perhaps share this newsletter. Details of new subs will be decided by the new incoming committee

January 2018 Sheddie

   Introducing the “The Sheddie” - your fast track source to what’s up with Nelson (Whakatū) Menzshed Inc.

This edition in short   * Final Preparations falling in place for Amalgamation ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­* Reminder of AGM in early February  * Move to new workshop premises early March * Workbox Update *

Final Preparations falling in place for Amalgamation

New Years Greetings to all Central Nelson Sheddies!  2018 is beginning to look like a “break through” year for Nelson Sheddies as we move through the final steps to amalgamating our two central city sheds. Following a clear majority endorsement to proceed with Amalgamation from our December 15th SGM, we are aiming to complete all paper arrangements to facilitate amalgamation well before the end of February. With this end in mind, we have been implementing a number of agreed initiatives and changes detailed in our ‘memorandum of understanding’ negotiated earlier between the two Nelson sheds Nelson and Whakatū. These include a name change to Nelson/Whakatū Menzshed , a corresponding change to our logo, tagline (which will be in Te Reo Maori), and website alterations to further facilitate the name and organisational  change, an mutually agreed new constitution, and at an Special General Meeting in early February where we will call for a newly appointed committee and office bearers to take the NWM Inc into its next exciting phase. Some members of JAC ( Joint Amalgamation Committee) will be stepping down, but there will be definitely enough staying to ensure good continuity as the Shed moves forward. If you feel moved to join up, make sure you put you name forward at the AGM meeting . Our Whakatū partners will be joining us at this meeting to facilitate the final steps to Amalgamation. See below the timeline and events roadmap that will take us to this point.

ROADMAP TO AMALGAMATION………  AND  LAUNCH OF NELSON/WHAKATŪ MENZSHED INC (NWM)

FEB 9 (Fri)                               FEB 12 (Mon)                      FEB  23(Fri)                      MAR 5?(Mon)                           MAR 12?(Mon)

FINAL JAC MEETING           MNI/NWM  AGM         NEW COMM MEETS       LEASE SIGNING RELIANCE      OPEN DAY RELIANCE

9.00am NMI HQ                 9.00am NMI HQ             9.00am NWM HQ                    TBA                                             TBA

 

Reminder of Nelson (Whakatū) Menzshed AGM early February REMINDER of MEETING : NMI MEMBERS MEETING  9.00AM MONDAY 12TH February  MNI HQ

Nb. See also a separate “formal notice of meeting” in a separate email sent out by MNI secretary Rod Schmidt with a draft Agenda attached.

Move to new Workshop Premises in early March.

Everything is coming together  for our occupation of the new workshop in the old Reliance Engineering complex early in early March  NWM Inc  representatives will sign a years lease on behalf of the newly constituted shed . We will have a full suite of office and recreational room space available to us and a sizeable workshop space with roller door access which is fantastic . Closer to the date will announce an Opening Day event where members can join us to celebrate moving in to the new premises. Some Utilities and furniture have been accessed already  but if you have anything you think might come in handy ( tools /workbenches /couches chairs tables / cups Electric jugs etc / wood supplies let us know and we will make a note of it and pick up closer to the move in date. Contact us through the MNI website or ph 027 474 6631

Workbox Update… It’s all coming together !!!

The New Year and a good holiday break has promoted a fresh burst of energy from all parties working on the WORKBOX  portable workshop project . James from Boxman  has completed structural work to the exterior of the container and Murray from Mitre 10 is coordinating painting /exterior advertising and electrics  while the box is still at the Boxmans site. Our contribution is to help with lining the box with ply and outfitting it with workbenches and tools which will now happen at the new workshop. We have been asked by the Rata Foundation to update our application, which has been done, and we await news of a successful outcome to our requests. The WORKBOX will be a great asset to the new organisation, not only for larger offsite projects in the local community but also when it returns to base, where it will be housed internally and available for SHED members and small group community projects. Keep all those fingers crossed !!!

December 2017 Sheddie

                                 1  DECEMBER  2017

                  Introducing the “The Sheddie” - your fast track source to what’s up with Nelson Menzshed Inc.

This edition in short   * NCC offers workshop premises to Menzshed ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­* Offers of support flood in to support proposed new premises * Reminder of upcoming MNI Members meeting - Amalgamation of Nelson City Menzsheds proposed * A&P show organisers have the best smokos * Workbox Update

Nelson City Council offers Workshop to Nelson/Whakatū Menzsheds

Yes folks its official ! We said we would let you know first as soon as there was something concrete on the table ……so here we go! Check out those photos above. We have been offered a comprehensive workshop and office /social facilities suite by the NCC. At their full council meeting this week Council decided to offer Nelson Menzsheds  a workshop/office space /social rooms based at the Reliance Engineering building on Rocks Road, Port Nelson. Matt Walters the Community Services Advisor did a great job of presenting  our case,  after working closely with representatives from both city Menzsheds to find a best case solution.  The MNI committee believe it is the ideal next step for us as an organisation to gain the use of these premises and you will have an opportunity to express your views at an upcoming MNI Members Meeting (our first for the year) . Further to the offer of premises NCC has also committed $10,000 to support the move into the Reliance building and setting it up.  There are conditions attached though, the main one being that the offer is only been made to an Amalgamated central city Menzshed organisation. For further information read the meeting information article and reminder of members meeting  below.             

Offers of support flooding in to support new Workshop Initiative.

In the last 24 hours we have had three supporting offers of help to set up the hew workshop premises so momentum is quickly building to turn a vision into a reality. We have had the offer of a brand new pool table, (already acquired)  a major donation of  engineering tools and equipment, and an anonymous donor has offered to pay the first years rent. Pretty awesome really!

MNI Members Meeting. Also background details of the NCC workshop premises offer and Amalgamation proposal.

REMINDER of MEETING : NMI MEMBERS MEETING  9.00AM FRIDAY 15TH December MNI HQ (and shared breakfast option beginning 8.15am )

Nb. See also a separate “formal notice of meeting” and proposed Amalgamation  motion to be considered at the meeting detailed in a separate email sent out by MNI secretary Rod Schmidt

The MNI committee would like to know what you think about developments as members, so we have called a meeting to all share our thoughts and make a decision about accepting the NCC offer. The most important point to note is that the offer is conditional on amalgamation of the two central Nelson Menzsheds and your committee has been in discussions with Menzshed Wakatu as to how this could come about. The MNI committee (and MZW committee) see no insurmountable barriers to this happening.  Rather, to the contrary ,we’re seeing considerable positives and advantages from a merger occurring between the two organisations. The committee  are unanimous  in our recommendation that amalgamation takes place, considering the huge benefits associated

        Some obvious benefits from an amalgamation of the two central city sheds

1.       We are able to take up the offer of the Reliance building ,lease and have a workshop.

2.       We also gain office space and great social spaces as well.

3.       We obtain the allocated NCC grant of $10,000 to assist with workshop set up

4.       We combine the human, financial and  physical resources under one organisation.

5.       Our membership grows as a result.

6.       There are no competing elements between Sheds for resources and no double ups.

7.       We present a unified and clearly identifiable profile in the local community.

Our agenda will be as follows

1.       A presentation recapping on the process that has presented this opportunity for us.

2.       Clarification of the proposal to offer a workshop space to us  -  What is been offered?

3.       Discussion and decision on a merger of the two sheds

4.       Specific discussion of the motion recommending Amalgamation and a vote.

 We are combining this meeting with Our first Xmas celebration event – so if you would like to join us for breakfast at the earlier time of 8.15am (please bring along one of the items listed – small pac sausages /small box of hash browns / half a doz eggs/ small pac of bacon / ½ dozen fresh rolls / bag of mushrooms / we can have a good old cook up before the meeting . Complimentary tea / coffee will be provided.

A&P Show organisers provide best Smoko stops in town

MNI VP Wayne Logan reported back to the committee on our working bee to help set up for this years A&P show. We weren’t large in numbers but we made a real dent in the work prep. needed to set up fences for the various displays. The help was appreciated by the organisers and those that went this year will probably volunteer next year on the strength of the food and refreshments provided – Simply Outstanding !!! Both morning tea and lunch – good old fashioned country hospitality.