News - May 2019

It was good to get away for a short break in a holiday cottage with my family in May, far away from sharpening chisels and planes...........that is until I walked into the cottage for the first time and spotted a Record No 4 plane on the bookcase just crying out for restoration.

The carvers and whittlers have been busy again in May. Mac created a beautiful, intricately carved spoon for his wife, and Jerry's "Hot Rod Fish" appears to be nearing completion.

Woodworker Magazines

Andy Skarstein brought in a set of Woodworker magazines to add to our growing set of reference works. Nothing special about that you might think but this is a full set from 1936 up to 1950 and all in excellent condition! The gentleman on the front cover of the January 1936 edition is clearly setting the standard dress code for woodworking at that time wearing collar and tie, waistcoat, fob chain and wristwatch. Now I always thought that the purpose of a fob chain was to secure a pocket watch - so why the wristwatch? Can anyone put me right on this?

Milling Machine

The Milling machine purchased from Axminster with funds provided by ASDA has been delivered to Les Mercer's home shed. We considered it too heavy to carry down the stairs into the workshop but despite our order instructions and numerous emails and phone calls, Axminster still tried to deliver the machine to Greystone's House. Finally we got it re-directed to Les' home address only for the companion precision vice which was on back order to also be delivered to yes you guessed it, Greystone's House. It is now safe in my home shed.

If you want to check out what we bought, you can find the Series SX2 Mini Mill on the Axminster web site on: https://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-model-engineer-series-sx2-mini-mill-505099

GTL Brass Plane

John Fisher brought an interesting brass bench plane to the workshop for restoration. The plane was supplied by Guaranteed Tools Ltd (GTL) who appear to have gone into liquidation in 1952. GTL sold sets of DIY / woodworking tools on a monthly payment scheme advertising them as "make money in your spare time with Guaranteed Tools". The plane cleaned up nicely and looks a million dollars although the blade is apparently made from cheese and does not hold it's edge!

Taps & Dies

We had a box full of (mostly taps) acquired through various donations. These have now been cleaned, de-rusted and sorted. I have attached a word document listing them - mostly BSF / BSW but also some BA and UNC and ANF series. Could come in handy for the odd restoration job.

Light bulb moment!

Walking along the top of the beach at Highcliffe on a beautiful sunny day, wondering why I ever came to live here, I was accosted by Leslie (HCA Chair) who told me that the lights had tripped in the building and the ladies on reception were not sure how to get them back working again and, in future, could Men's Shed help with things like that and maybe take on basic maintenance work around the building. What Leslie didn't know and I didn't know at the time was that it was one of our members who had tripped the electrics.. Now obviously I can't name names but this individual is becoming a bit of a recidivist when it comes to lighting. So Nick, I just wanted to let you know that we have ordered 1 cwt of assorted screws that will need categorising and sorting which should be enough to keep you out of mischief for a while!

Bird Boxes

One of the ladies at Greystone's who purchased a bird box from us was pleased to pass on the news that blue tits have nested in it for the second year running. So, another happy customer.

Keith Vinycomb drew our attention to a couple of useful web sites for benefits available to us:

https://www.wearejust.co.uk/your-money/benefits-and-allowances/ (See"Your Money" page)

Quote: "I have just read an article in a pensions magazine stating that 49% of pensioners are failing to claim any benefits that they are entitled to, missing out on an average of £1139 a year"

And: https://www.wearejust.co.uk/

Unfortunately I can't get the link to the Neighbourhood Watch article on scams to work so will have to send it separately.

Universal Woodworking Machine

The universal woodworking machine that we had to dismantle in order to get it out of the shed at Wildown Road has been re-assembled by Les Mercer, Christ Waddilove and Keith Vinycomb and is now sat on a pallet at Somerford. Keith was apparently just passing by the Somerford workshop when he noticed the door was open and before he could run away was roped in to land a hand.

Somerford Shed

The lease is progressing but at a snails pace. Les Mercer and Bob Mackinnon have been attempting to expedite matters without incurring additional solicitors costs for CMS. The COAC (youth club) architect has completed "as-is" drawings for the existing building and hopes to have drawings for the workshop conversion available within a few weeks. In his opinion, the building is structurally sound and the proposed additional steel work and brickwork will only add to it's integrity.

New Members / Too many Johns!

We welcomed a couple of new faces to the workshop in May,. On one recent occasion we had 8 members in the workshop, 5 of whom were "Johns"! Nevertheless, John MacBean and John Bland, you are both very welcome and we hope to see you again soon!

Upcoming Events:

Our next meeting in Room 1 at Greystones is scheduled for Tuesday 4th June starting at 2.00 pm and wrapping up by 4.00 p.m. We will continue with the more open format and head for a cup of tea at around 3.00p.m..

Bring your work to show and tell - if you dare!

Mudeford Club Lunch

There were 15 of us present at last weeks lunch. The next one is scheduled for Friday 21st June starting at 12.00 noon. I will be sending out reminders as usual and will also provide a list of dates for the remainder of the year

Southern Men's Shed IOW Meeting

Please let Jeff Perkins know if you would like to attend the next Southern Men's Shed meeting, this time at the IOW Men's Shed. It looks like there will be at least one car going from Christchurch.

Greystone's House "Summer Shutdown"

Greystone's will be closed from July 26th for annual maintenance. I don't have the date it will re-open but expect it will be at the end of August / first week September

And finally, just time for this months verse courtesy of Flanders & Swann:

June just rains and never stops

Thirty days and spoils the crops

Surely not in Christchurch?!

The workshop will be open as usual next week from Tuesday

See you all soon!

John Pegram

Christchurch Men's Shed