G’day from bayside Melbourne

[Ozzydave]

Hi everyone!
Here, in Melbourne, it’s been difficult for a lot of people during our ‘world breaking’ lockdown.
But, for me at least, it allowed me to find a new love of woodworking.
My wife and I decided to open a new shop just as the first lockdown began and it was really difficult to get anyone in our shop for fittings.
I thought I’d give it a go - so took my trade pass off to Bunnings and got everything I thought I’d need with a little advice from some good mates.
Now, our shop is fully furnished by my own hands, my garage has turned into a ‘shop’ (do we Australians call our woodworking space a shop?) and I have tools now that I didn’t know existed 2 years ago.
The best thing about this woodworking journey, for me, is how I can lose myself in whatever I am making at the time.
Being able to adapt on the fly, constantly learn new skills and at the end of the day having made something that is not only useful but looks great is a real source of pride I think a lot of us would share.
I’m so glad I found woodworking and it’s something I hope I can share with my kids as they get older.
Having furnished our shop, built myself a workbench for home and more jigs than I can count - my next project is to build my daughter a desk for her bedroom and a new mitre saw bench for me.
I specifically searched for a woodworking forum as I was trying to investigate c-channels for desks/tables and can’t seem to find any the correct size in Australia. So that got me thinking about all the possible differences between Southern Hemisphere woodworking and our northern friends.
I find the difference the timber, the weather and the climate to be fascinating in the design and maintenance aspect of woodworking.
Oh, and now I critique every piece of furniture I have bought over the years and want to remake everything!
Anyway, thanks for having me and I can’t wait to see you around. 😀

[KeithP]

Welcome to the forum.

Regards
Keith

[verawood]

Welcome to the forum

[crowie]

G'Day & Welcome to a top forum "Dave"....
There are a stack members around Melbourne and cross Victoria plus the rest of the country.....
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 - Watch out for local Melbourne get togethers, great way to meet like minded forum members & network [once lockdown is finished of course]...

[old1955]

Welcome to the forum.

[Treecycle]

Welcome Dave. It's amazing what you can achieve when we are forced to do something out of the norm. Sounds like you have a fairly natural ability in using your hands and now getting enjoyment out of it.
I hope the interest doesn't wain and you continue building things for your family for years to come.

[JJF]

Welcome to the forum

[lyricnz]

Welcome! The can-do attitude will help a lot with all life's challenges!