Brisbane/SE Qld area looking for a woodworking club or men's shed to join.

Hi everyone. I have been a member here for many years, and was active over the last five or six years whilst building a couple of wooden boats. I've moved on from that (using them now) and as a musician, I'd like to try to build a banjo, with the idea of maybe building more.

I have a good table saw from boatbuilding and plenty of hand and small power tools, all in a small shed. I usually move the table saw (Bosch) out onto the deck outside to use it, because the shed is small and I prefer working outside. In addition, just for the two small banjo components (neck and pot) I believe I will need a jointer, band saw, lathe, and a horizontal and vertical drill press of some sort. I think the total time on these tools for the whole banjo build would probably be less than an hour, with the many other hours for the build not needing elaborate tools. Perhaps a drum sander.

My question to you all is: Is there some kind of club/men's shed within cooee of Brisbane where I could both learn to use those tools I listed above and also then use them to make the two components? I can imagine in future if I enjoy the whole experience I might well end up getting one or maybe two of those large machines but I have no space for the whole lot, and in any case, the time required on those large tools is so small relative to the whole banjo build that I'd be hard pressed to justify buying them and trying to find shed space before I've even built one banjo.

Any suggestions much appreciated.

cheers
John

Welcome to the forum or back to the forum as the case might be John.

G'Day & Welcome to a top forum "John",
There are a stack of members in Brisbane up to the Sunshine Coast & S.E. Queensland plus the rest of the world.....
You'll find a heap of helpful & knowledgeable blokes & ladies on the forum and for most very willing to assist.
Make sure you show off your handiwork as everyone loves a photo, especially WIP [Work In Progress] photos with build notes.
Enjoy the forum.
Enjoy your woodwork......
Cheers crowie

Welcome to the forum

Hi John,

I commend your decision not to rush in to purchase a whole set of machines. That can be an expensive exercise and a waste of money as one usually buys cheap stuff (because of the small usage expectations if nothing else) then finds that it performs badly or with low accuracy and you have to offload it at a big loss. Been there, done that to some extent.

Brisbane is a big place, as you know, so its difficult for members to recommend a shed/facility without an idea of your area or perhaps how far you would travel. I live in the south-west and have my own workshop so do not use a men's shed or similar but am aware of some facilities in my area. While I was in the first stages of learning fine woodwork for a retirement hobby I took lessons with a teacher who works in Greenslopes (The Rob McKee school of woodworking), and that was an introduction to techniques and machinery. I later took lessons from an excellent teacher at Sumner Park and that both took my skills to a higher level and introduced me to the value of (what to look for in) quality machinery (PM me for details if interested). I know that Damien Fauser has a workshop with excellent Hammer and Felder machines at Darra and also teaches fine handwork skills such as would be needed for instrument making. I have heard of a teacher in West End (Rob Howard) but know little about him except that he has been highly recommended.

Brisbane City Council probably has a list of Men's Sheds - excellent call centre 24 hours a day 3403 8888, I do know that there is such a shed in Indooroopilly and I think one at Oxley also.

In Coopers Plains there is a business that hires the use of their big machines by the hour (Wood n You, 3274 5677, enquiries@woodnyou.com). I have never used them but will probably do so for large slabs or assemblies at some time in the future.

I hope that this helps.

David