Hervey Bay Men's Shed

Filled out the application form today, met some of the members and had a look around.

I won't actually join until Ana and I get back from a procedure on her Knees in Sydney. We leave Monday and will be away for a week. Then it's nursemaid duties for me for a few weeks so my actual start time at the shed will be some time after that.

The premises are very crowded. Plenty of machinery but much is in need of just a little TLC. I've already suggested featherboards for the tablesaw when doing long cuts.Nobody had heard of them.

Safety is a big concern at the moment due to the crowded nature of the shed.

A new premises is in planning and I will get some advice from my old turning club on how to apply for some grants.

I noted a number of old files have been made into turning scrapers. Not a good idea and certainly not a good idea for the unknowing.

Artme, I Agree to Disagree as I have 5 Scrapers made from Files. They all have been Shortened, & all have been Annealed & have taken all Cutting Edges off Cleaned, Sanded, Polished, then Reheated the last 2 in. to Cherry Red then dunked when the Straw Colour appears. Can't get a better cutting/scraping edge than these files. As you said not a great idea to the unknowing, as they think that you should have the Tool Rest 3in. away from the Turning Article, then there is Trouble with a Capital " T ". That is when they can break, even mine wood most likely do that. A few Turners are a bit Lazy, & don't do a File Justice, just doing the Edge up & then wonder why they get into trouble. That's my 2sense. Great News about Your Mens Shed, & yes it is hard to keep them Clean & Tidy. There are Major Grants On The Internet, but you have to know how to Apply for them.

Good info on the files Isa.:2tsup::2tsup::2tsup:

I don't know that we have any members who have the capability to work with the files as you suggest.

Blacksmithing is a dying art but that may the best answer for us.

Just to clarify, Hervey Bay has both a Woodcrafts Club and a Men's Shed (or at least they did a year ago when I moved up here). I thought the Woodcrafts Club was by far the better organised and equipped, so that's what I joined. Haven't been very often due to a wrist injury I suffered (at home) which made it unsafe to use most power tools, so I took some time off to let it heal.

The Woodcrafts club is on Bideford street and is open 4 mornings a week (Mon, Wed, Fri, & Sat). Not sure of the Mens Shed, they were in temporary accommodation on Boat Harbour Drive when I enquired, they may have moved since then.

So which one have you joined?

Will join both Switt.

The Men's Shed has some metal working gear that doesn't exist at the woodcrafters so I will have a foot in two camps!!

I have been to the woodcrafters but have yet to join.

Good idea. As I recall the two clubs opening hours (days) are different, so that will keep you busy.

Reason I asked is that the Woodcrafters club doesn't advertise itself very much, and there are no opening times posted on the door. It took me 3 or four times to find someone there, mainly because I didn't realise it was strictly a morning operation.

I'm sure both clubs will be glad for your support.