What we do
Our workshop is fully operational and equipped with tools donated by local residents. We use these tools to create beautiful wooden rocking horses and chopping boards, which we sell to support the maintenance of the Man Shed. Any other items we make are also sold, not for profit, but to cover the cost of materials. Some days can be noisy due to the various machines and tools, but we also have quieter days to accommodate those who prefer a more peaceful environment. On Monday mornings from 10:00 to 13:00, we have a quiet day where we focus on Model Railway and Model making. In addition to these activities, we offer access to a small electronics kit (Arduino), a computer centre, pyrography, and glass engraving. If you have a different hobby in mind that you would like to pursue at our Man Shed, please feel free to inform us. Monday afternoons from 13:00 to 16:00 are also open for small workshop activities. Furthermore, on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 to 16:00, we have two workshop sessions per day. During these sessions, we engage in various activities such as wood turning on our lathes, carpentry, joinery, carving, making bird boxes, cheese boards, and community projects, among others.
Model Railway
We are fortunate to offer two distinct layouts, with one being the smaller 'N' gauge railway and the larger being the 'OO' setup. Additionally, a new TT120 layout is currently under construction for local events.
The scale differences in these layouts cater to various levels of model railway enthusiasts, with 'OO' being the most common size, 'TT' slightly smaller, and 'N' gauge even smaller.
The group accommodates train enthusiasts with limited space at home, utilizing mostly donated stock for various elements like trains, buildings, bridges, and people.
Our 'OO' gauge layout measures 15' x 4' and is continuously progressing, supported by experienced members from the Man Shed's railway section along with newcomers. All are welcome to join, regardless of experience level, and embrace the joy of this hobby, no matter how old you are.
Wood Working
We have acquired a lathe and recently invested in a new bench lathe, in addition to our scroll saws, bench saw, band saw, router, electric planers, and drills, making our projects much more manageable in our Man Shed. The shed now resembles a carpenter's workshop due to the abundance of quality tools available. We are crafting rocking horses, chopping boards, bird boxes, hedgehog houses, and various other items on our lathe, expanding our woodworking capabilities to include wood carving, bowl turning, pen making, garden ornaments, and Christmas decorations. The addition of a scroll saw will enable the creation of intricate wooden ornaments, with experienced wood machinists guiding and teaching eager members in the carpentry section.
The carpentry activities have become quite popular, and we have dedicated sessions for female members who wish to participate in carpentry and related activities.
Electronics-Model making
Electronics section.
The Electronics section offers a range of exciting projects, from radios to robots. To navigate the complexity of the Arduino starter kit, we turn to online resources like YouTube and the Arduino site. South East Steel Limited, a local company dedicated to supporting community initiatives, noticed our work on Facebook and generously provided us with a laptop and £100. With internet access, we can now delve into extensive research, training, and administrative tasks, opening up endless possibilities for our involvement in various projects.
Computer Corner
In the Computer Corner, we are thrilled to provide all our members with internet access. This will demonstrate the immense usefulness of the internet as a tool. Additionally, we plan to utilize laptops to stay updated on safety guidelines through YouTube, enhancing our knowledge for different activities. With the guidance from online resources and the Arduino equipment, we even have ambitions to launch our own satellite into orbit by next Thursday!
Model Making-Pyrography
Mondays at the Man Shed are dedicated to model making, where enthusiasts gather to create anything from railway model buildings to balsa wood aircraft. There are no time constraints or schedules; it's simply a day to enjoy the process of making and connect with fellow members. Furthermore, we explore the art of pyrography through YouTube videos, discovering how simple it is to create beautiful pictures on wood. With our pyrography kit and ample wood supply, we can add a unique touch to our wooden projects.
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