Sofa deconstruction time

During the Official Opening of The Entrance Men’s Shed, the well-loved sofa was relegated to the rear of the shed building.

Sitting out there it was overlooked for some time and weather affected. When shed members Chris and Alby learned about the sofa they undertook a session of sofa deconstruction. The sofa was deconstructed in no time and the parts taken for recycling.

Community Centre door wedges

Doors at The Entrance Community Centre have a habit of slamming shut in a strong wind. Shed member Andrew decided door wedges were in order and shed member Bob sprang into action, creating a dozen wooden wedges for the errant doors.

Bob says when the shed is a little more developed we will produce something a little more refined, but for now they’re functional and quickly done.

A place for everything…

A well organized shed is a safer and happier place for shed members.

With this in mind a group of shed members have been constructing back-wall storage for timber boards. This timber is now safely off the floor and easily accessible. Thanks to shed members who worked on this, especially Andrew and Ian.

Inspired by this storage system, shed member Chris has been hard at work setting up tool storage on the back wall in a pleasing symmetrical arrangement. To complement both projects, other shed members have been building shelves in the lathe area, to be known from now an as “Woodturner’s Haven”.

Chris: tribute to a mate

Shed member Chris’s mate Tony left a slice of burl (knotty timber) at his place for storage. Sadly, before Tony could collect the burl, he passed away.

Chris decided to create a tribute to his mate and brought the slice of burl to the shed, sanded it back, treated it and made it ready for display. He has placed a small plaque on the prepared burl and presented it at Tony’s funeral last week.

A fitting tribute to a friend, this will now be incorporated into a memorial to much-loved Tony at the property where he lived.

Dave’s folding table

Shed member Dave has come up with a innovative design for a small folding caravan table. Dave has developed several iterations of the table, improving the design along the way.

In the image below Dave is demonstrating the table in the deployed state. Shortly after the photo was taken, Dave installed the table in the caravan and is keen to test in on the road.

Chris’ recycled chopping board

Shed member Chris was so impressed with the chopping boards being constructed at the shed that he decided to recycle some timber he found by the side of the road, and make one himself.

Chris trimmed the edges, made the surfaces regular and square and glued the timber pieces together. He finally sanded the surfaces, routed fancy edges and finished the board with timber oil. Chris reports it will make an artistic addition to his kitchen.

Wood lathe donation

Community member Beau Graham found he was unable to go on using his beloved wood lathe and has kindly donated it to The Entrance Men’s Shed. The lathe is in good condition and Beau has also also donated wood turning tools and blanks that are much needed additions to the shed wood turning setup.

Community donations like these enable the Shed to increase the range of projects we can undertake and better support our local community.

Beau–you are always welcome at the Shed for a cuppa and a chat.

Donation by Pluims Interiors

During the recent “Let’s Nail Depression” initiative local business Pluims Interiors generously donated a stack of boards to Central Coast Men’s Sheds. Dave Betts of “Let’s Nail Depression” coordinated the delivery and arranged for his son to deliver some of this large donation.

The delivery truck arrived spot on time at Bateau Bay Men’s Shed where it was unloaded the shed members there. A team from The Entrance Men’s Shed hired a large trailer and accepted some of the 3-meter sheets. This team also traveled to Pluims Interiors facility to collect additional boards and deliver it to the Shed.

The donation is large enough for Dave Betts to also make a delivery to The Hastings Men’s Shed in Port Macquarie.

A big thanks from Central Coast Men’s Sheds to Pluims Interiors for this generous donation.

First shed day for 2010

The Entrance Men’s Shed welcomed members back today after the Christmas break.

Following a relaxed morning tea and lots of Holiday yarns, shed members were back hard at work. Members commenced new projects, planned future projects or resurrected them from the remains of last years projects.

There is much to look forward to at The Shed for 2010, with new equipment, new committee members and two new Shed members signed up already.

A Mayoral donation

The shed has not yet started operations for 2010, but we have already received some generous donations.

The Mayor of Wyong Shire Council–Bob Graham–was cleaning up over the Christmas break and decided to donate his father’s toolbox to The Entrance Men’s Shed. Items like these have a sentimental value to the donor, but they are often still usable tools in a workshop environment.

So a big “thanks” to the Mayor from the Entrance Men’s Shed. In addition the Shed has also received over the Christmas break an air-hose reel, tins of paint and some nice laminated boards. A big thanks to Alan’s Home Services (0404 132 600) for these items.