New Here and looking for ideas

[Ross Hammond]

Hello im new to this forum and as the president of a newly formed men's shed im looking out for project ideas, toys, instructions layouts etc. hints and tips that can helpful for the men in the shed. Were have only small shed and very restricted on space so can only work on smaller projects

[old1955]

Welcome to the forum Ross.

Ross

[ian]

Hello im new to this forum and as the president of a newly formed men's shed im looking out for project ideas, toys, instructions layouts etc. hints and tips that can helpful for the men in the shed. Were have only small shed and very restricted on space so can only work on smaller projects

Hi Ross

Welcome to the forums.

President of a newly formed Men’s shed – congratulations.


Layouts?
There’s lots of good books on setting up a small wood or combined wood and metal working shops.
To my mind, small would be less than half a single car garage. I’m sure your shed is much bigger than this.
The size of the shed I belong to in Sydney is midway between a two and three car garage, but we have a separate kitchen, a metal work area as well as a largish wood working area.

With a bit of organisation, a shed project could be almost the size of a small car.


Projects ideas?
I’m not sure where Linton is, but I think there is a market in the larger centres for custom timber dressing – something like “give us your raw wood and for $xx the shed will dimension it for you.”

Personal projects should go home with members at the end of each day.


Hints and Tips?
I think initially your shedders need to understand what they have got (or are developing).
The shed is not anyone's personal garage, where personal work practices and habits take precedence over any duty of care to others – think dust and noise and possible flying objects.

The shed is intended to be a place for social interaction between members in a shed like environment that is safe enough that everyone goes home happy at the end of each day. Achieving this comes down to identifying and recognizing risks, and taking appropriate action to mitigate or minimise those risks.

To achieve the twin objectives of a safe and welcoming place, your Shed can't operate on a different set of rules for each day of the week (or month) based on who is the supervisor that day. It has to be one set of rules that apply no matter who is supervising that day.

Perhaps the best way of thinking about a shed is as a though it is a factory.
A properly set out factory has work zones and rest zones and meal zones and zones that must be kept clear, with barriers where required to prevent access to machines -- but it's rare to see SOPs on every machine. More normal are lock-out keys where only authorised (trained) users have access to a machine's key.

You will find that at times you will have a number of members who are "safety incompetent" -- for want of a better term. They will need to be either supervised very closely or shepherded away from the tools that would do them harm. But they should not be excluded from the shed because in part sheds are supported because they are inclusive.


Can I suggest that the shed supervisors meet regularly to discuss and agree on OH&S procedures and what restrictions might apply to particular members. This way, all supervisors will be "on the same page" – I know it’s management speech, but for the moment I can’t think of a better term -- when it comes to dealing with members who flout the safe work procedures.


But don’t be too restrictive. Thongs (as foot wear) should be ok in the Shed kitchen / eating area.

and IMO Shedders shouldn't be obliged to wear full PPE while in the shed, so dust emission, noise reduction, suppression of potential flying objects, etc need to be managed (prevented) at the source. The controls to achieve this are very similar to the controls in a factory – see I’m back to my factory analogy – but a well set out Shed will have similar dust and noise controls to a factory.


One last point, the daily shed supervisor is there to supervise / help others and show visitors and new comers around -- an expectation that they can work on a personal project is generally inconsistent with the responsibility of "supervision".


Fire Safety
Perhaps your biggest fire risk is oil soaked rags from finishing or cleaning. The curing / drying process of some oils is exothermic and an oily rag tossed into a bin of wood shavings is a recipe for a pile of ash the next morning.
I think it critical that all supervisors be aware of this and that measures be in place to contain potentially flammable waste.

[Chesand]

Welcome aboard Ross

I presume you are in Linton, Victoria, not too far from Ballarat.
I had dealings with the Shed at Sebastopol late last year and I suggest that you contact them. They had a paid supervisor who would be worth talking too as he seemed to run a good ship and seemed very approachable.

Sebastopol Men's Shed - Home Phone 5379-9256

Hope that helps.

[crowie]

G'Day & Welcome to a top forum "Ross".
There are a heap of members in & around Melbourne as well as across the rest of Victoria..
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

PS - Make sure you have a look at the toymaking section, top mob of blokes!!

[Christos]

Welcome to the forum.

[JJF]

Welcome to the forum Ros