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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
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    Default Recommend Men's Shed or similar places where to keep practicing my trade skills

    Hello,
    I got good steel trade skills but have been off duty for many years due to medical conditions.
    Does anyone know any place like Men's Sheds where I can keep playing?

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  3. #2
    Join Date
    Jun 2003
    Location
    Sunbury, Vic
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    84
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    Default

    It might help if you tell us where in Melbourne you are.
    Tom

    "It's good enough" is low aim

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    Lebrina
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    Default

    One avenue that I find very rewarding is helping out at my son's high school.
    The MDT teacher there has a woodworking background and realises his potential deficiencies in the metals arena. When I enquired about parent help he grabbed me and won't let me go!
    I should imagine that many schools would be on board with similar involvement.

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    27,757

    Default

    To find a mens shed Start here
    http://www.mensshed.org/home/.aspx
    Then you can do a search for mens sheds in your area.

    You can shop around and visit a few before you decide which one you want to go to

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Melbourne
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    Default

    Thanks guys for helping and sorry for not being able to work out how to quote the messages as this BB forum is a bit strange to me.

    @Chesand: I live in North suburbs and sometimes I go to city.

    @Karl Robbers: That is the kind of activity that would best suit me, the problem is that I'm quite confident with everyday English language but in metal trade the language is totally different (I also know English Marketing language) so I would have problems trying to teach students though I'm still able to show some good tricks and how to do things.
    I learned from old school masters and I never enrolled in TAFE like schools.

    @BobL: I tried Men's Shed by sending e-mails and got no replay and visited two of them, also I believe that most of sheds (if not all) are wood work oriented.

  7. #6
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    Jun 2003
    Location
    Sunbury, Vic
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    There is a Mens' Shed in Moonee Ponds but I do not know if they cater for metal work. It is in Bruce St behind the Council depot, next to the SES depot and near the athletics track.
    I think there is someone there on Sat mornings but not sure. If all else fails ring Moonee Valley Council on 9243-8888
    Hope that helps
    Tom

    "It's good enough" is low aim

  8. #7
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Perth
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by allfix View Post
    . . . . @BobL: I tried Men's Shed by sending e-mails and got no replay and visited two of them, also I believe that most of sheds (if not all) are wood work oriented.
    Yep most are woodwork oriented but many do have metal working areas.
    The Mosman Park Mens Shed in Perth has a metal work area thats bigger than the whole wood working and metal working areas of some mens sheds I have seen.

    You really do have to visit and maybe even go back a few times to see if the crew is "your cup of tea". I visited a number of sheds about 2 years ago but didn't really find one that suited me. Then a new one opened up near my place and I find I get on with those blokes pretty well and we have 3-4 serious metal workers so that suits me because I can sort of do WW but not that much MW.

  9. #8
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    Mar 2011
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    Melbourne
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    Quote Originally Posted by Chesand View Post
    There is a Mens' Shed in Moonee Ponds but I do not know if they cater for metal work. It is in Bruce St behind the Council depot, next to the SES depot and near the athletics track.
    I think there is someone there on Sat mornings but not sure. If all else fails ring Moonee Valley Council on 9243-8888
    Hope that helps
    I found it and they talk about wood working: http://www.mvcc.vic.gov.au/for-resid...mens-shed.aspx

  10. #9
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    Sydney
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    19

    Default

    Community volunteer organisations like Rotary or Apex or even SES might be worth a phone call. Even if they couldn't use your skills, they may know of other organisations or groups that would be glad of your contribution.

  11. #10
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    Apr 2002
    Location
    Brisbane
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    It may be worth investigating "hacker space" in your area......these places are multidisiplinary workshops..mostly populated by young folk.....lots of electronics and stuff...but some of them have metal and woodworking and a bit of backyard foundry & stuff.

    cheers
    Any thing with sharp teeth eats meat.
    Most powertools have sharp teeth.
    People are made of meat.
    Abrasives can be just as dangerous as a blade.....and 10 times more painfull.

  12. #11
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    Mar 2011
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    Melbourne
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    Quote Originally Posted by peterbilt View Post
    Community volunteer organisations like Rotary or Apex or even SES might be worth a phone call. Even if they couldn't use your skills, they may know of other organisations or groups that would be glad of your contribution.
    Thanks for suggestions.

    I'm already volunteering as Mentor for disadvantaged kids but now I'm specifically looking to do something related to my metal trade skills.

    There are several Rotary clubs and web sites so it's a bit confusing, however it looks strange to me that they demand membership fees, instead should they pay volunteers?
    SAS sounds very good but I said above I'm looking for a position in the metal trade.

  13. #12
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    Feb 2006
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    Perth
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    Quote Originally Posted by allfix View Post
    There are several Rotary clubs and web sites so it's a bit confusing, however it looks strange to me that they demand membership fees, instead should they pay volunteers?
    It appears you misunderstand what is meant by the term volunteer.

    From Wikipedia'
    Volunteering is generally considered an altruistic activity and is intended to promote goodness or improve human quality of life. In return, this activity can produce a feeling of self-worth and respect. There is no financial gain involved for the individual. Volunteering is also renowned for skill development, socialization, and fun. Volunteering may have positive benefits for the volunteer as well as for the person or community served.[1] It is also intended to make contacts for possible employment. It is helping, assisting, or serving another person or persons without pay.
    With regards Mens Sheds, I think you will find that they are flexible in terms of membership fees especially if you can really contribute to what they need. But don't think for a moment that you will be the only one that doesn't have major skills to contribute in one form or another AND even those that are financially constrained, many of these members still pay to be members. I have seen a few prospective members attending our mens shed where it has been pretty obvious they have come along hoping to get paid for "their special skills", but they have all eventually moved on. If that what you are aiming for then perhaps you should look elsewhere.

  14. #13
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    Melbourne
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    Quote Originally Posted by BobL View Post
    It appears you misunderstand what is meant by the term volunteer.

    From Wikipedia'

    With regards Mens Sheds, I think you will find that they are flexible in terms of membership fees especially if you can really contribute to what they need. But don't think for a moment that you will be the only one that doesn't have major skills to contribute in one form or another AND even those that are financially constrained, many of these members still pay to be members. I have seen a few prospective members attending our mens shed where it has been pretty obvious they have come along hoping to get paid for "their special skills", but they have all eventually moved on. If that what you are aiming for then perhaps you should look elsewhere.
    Excuse me, I think that you're a bit off topic here also trying to exaggerating and comparing me with someone else master who is looking for money, I see a non sense in your replay but a sad and unfriendly approach to other people who you DO NOT know.
    I wish you do not run a Men's Shed because people would run away with such an unfriendly attitude.
    As I said and repeat I already do volunteering for free (just in case isn't still clear to you) and I DO KNOW the meaning of it so I DO NOT need your Wikipedia quote.
    Rotary and others ask for membership? Let it be who cares, I only said what I found out also I won't ever join them, this is my wish and if you disagree, I'm sorry but it's not my problem.
    This is the main reason (and you're an example) why I'm a bit cautious by joining a Men's Shed because I could meet people like you though I'm still positive and trying to find one I like because people are all different.
    Nothing personal Bob but other potential people looking for Men's Shed should know.

  15. #14
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    Sep 2010
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    Lebrina
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    How about we tone it down a bit.
    We are all here as friends with common interests. Perhaps there has been an unfortunate misunderstanding?
    I will happily vouch for BobL as a very welcoming person with great patience and if you volunteer with disadvantaged children allfix, then that speaks well for you.
    Now that we have cleared up that you don't want to join certain clubs for personal reasons and that you don't expect payment, let's get back to the topic at hand and move on.

  16. #15
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    Mar 2011
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    Quote Originally Posted by Karl Robbers View Post
    We are all here as friends with common interests. Perhaps there has been an unfortunate misunderstanding?
    Yes I think that was the reason.
    I think also that people should spend time in open parks and do some walking and enjoy the life, I see the weather for tomorrow looks very promising so I'll go walk along a creek, no computer, no work, no phone, just myself and wild animals like the lizard in the photo.
    Attached Images Attached Images

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