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The Newsletter of the

No 24. August 2013

Greetings Shedders

Welcome to your (a bit less varied than usual) AGM edition of Shavings.

The Editorial

t has been a while since your Scribe issued an edition of Shed Shavings and for that I apologise. Before continuing to put in between 40 and 80 hours of effort

per edition, I had to be sure that the shed was going to survive following a rather unsettling and turbulent period during the first half of the year (I needed to know that I was to have a few readers left!). That period of uncertainty is now behind us, member’s morale is high and we’re pushing ahead.

So I hope that this issue will be the first in a new series of your newsletter, albeit under new editorship, and perhaps in an updated format. I’ve produced two dozen editions of the newsletter and I now feel it’s time to hand over the editor’s baton to fresh blood and new ideas. Perhaps, at last, I might actually be able to avail myself of the facilities I helped to put in place — remember that pianola I want to restore?

While we’re on the subject, are you a closet author just raring to have a go at the newsletter or contribute some material. If so, let your committee know; fame (but not fortune) could await you!

THE 2013 AGM

The 2013 AGM was held on Tuesday the 20th August in the ‘almost complete’ meeting room at the shed. This year’s meeting was very well attended with members flowing out the doors!

Formal minutes of the meeting will be available in due course, but here’s what most members would be most interested in — who is going to manage the shed for them over the coming two years.

The Outgoing Committee

From left to right:

Graeme Ditchburn (acting member), Stuart Grierson (member and shed project manager), Barry Hume (member), Rob Ritchie (Vice President/acting President), Mike Rolfe (acting Secretary) and John Denyer (Treasurer).

NEXT MEETING

Tuesday 17th September 2013

… the 3rd Tuesday Every Month

LATE NEWS – SEE DAY TRIPS Page 11, NEWS Page 12

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Your Newly Voted-in Committee

From left to right:

Stuart Grierson (member and shed project manager), Barry Hume (Vice President), Rob Ritchie (President), Mike Rolfe (Secretary), John Denyer (Treasurer), Robin Masters (member) and John Wright (member).

Looking Back – A Watershed Monthly Shed Meeting Leading Up to the AGM

The July Meeting

This account of the monthly Shed meeting held on Tuesday the 16th of July is including in this issue of the newsletter because the meeting proved to be a watershed meeting that dealt with important and urgent issues surrounding the future of the Laurieton Men’s Shed. We had 52 members present.

What follows is the Scribe’s take on what ‘went down’ (no one can say that the Shed’s doesn’t keep up with the latest parlance!) at the meeting. So in no particular order:

Acting Chairman

Our acting President, Rob Ritchie, chaired the meeting. The meeting deviated slightly from the published agenda in order to discuss some recent, and significant, events. And, in keeping with recent requests from the majority of members who regularly attend the meetings, today’s meeting was treated as (the first of) an LMS General Meeting.

Temporary and Significant Changes to the Management Committee

Robert Rule (President) and Austin Grice (Secretary) have resigned from the committee. This means that until the upcoming AGM the committee is comprised of Rob Ritchie (Vice President/acting President), John Denyer (Treasurer), Stuart Grierson (member) and Barry Hume (member). To help the committee through to the AGM, casual vacancies will be filled by Mike Rolfe (acting Secretary) and Graham Ditchburn (acting member).

Future Status of the Monthly Meetings

It is our intention that all future monthly meetings will be conducted as formal general meetings in accordance with the LMS Constitution. An agenda will be published beforehand and formal minutes taken and made available to all members.

Message from the acting President

“Most importantly, the Shed is about you, the members. Members will only come here if they feel welcome, enjoy the experience, and go home with a feeling of being included and welcomed back again no matter how they spend their time here. It is the duty of all of us to ensure that this is what all our members experience when they come here”.

Shed Construction Project Manager

Following Robert Rule’s resignation, Stuart Grierson has stepped into the breach as Project Manager to oversee the remaining shed construction work. Members present put numerous questions to Stuart regarding the outstanding work as well as our strategy for finishing the disabled parking area and concrete drive. Stuart advised that he will arrange a meeting with Council to determine the minimum work we need to complete in order to obtain a Certificate of Completion.

Stuart also reported that potential donations of kitchen equipment may allow the men to install the kitchen at a greatly reduced cost. A current priority for us is to finish the three toilet facilities (male, female and disabled) adjacent to the meeting room.

Stuart reported that the tiles for the job were on hand and he would be looking for some assistance from experienced members to do the tiling.

New Meeting Initiative – Interest Group Reports

A new initiative for the monthly meeting was introduced. A representative from each of the shed’s ‘interest groups’ will have the opportunity to give an overview—for the members’ benefit—of what’s happening in their own areas of interest. And this is how we started:

Welfare – Bruce Charsley reported that Alan Kershaw was hospitalised with a badly broken ankle and that he was keeping in touch.

Woodwork – Graeme Ditchburn invited the intarsia men to describe their work. Ken Young described a major project just started: a large, framed wooden intarsia piece featuring the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House. A couple of completed intarsia pieces were shown as well as some clocks inlaid into polished figured timber.

Bruce Curtis suggested that the Shed could make good raffle money with burl coffee tables and he would machine some very good burls he had found if we wished to buy them from the supplier.

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Metalwork – Glenn Roberson reported on a couple of ‘paying’ jobs completed in the metalwork shop including refurbishing a charity clothing bin. More men are invited to join in on a variety of metalwork projects. For example one new project about to start (as soon as members put their hand up) is the refurbishment of a trailer (for the shed’s use) and another is to make a branding iron of ‘Laurieton Men’s Shed’ for the woodworkers.

Horticulture – Brian Hanley was not present and Peter Moore recorded an apology although Peter had previously submitted a detailed plan of future activities and a layout of various sections of the grounds. These will be tackled as funding becomes available.

Cooking – Robert Scott reported that the cooking classes were very popular with ‘students’ as well as with the paying customers. He had prepared caramelised onions to go with today’s sausage sangers and the cooking guys have been asked to cater for the upcoming AGM.

Computing – John Wright reported that they now had five computers up and running in the computer room and that more classes are being scheduled. Until telephone lines are available in the street, internet connection could only be achieved with plug-in ‘dongles’ which is an expensive option.

The Shed Choir (the ShedMen)

Contributor Mike Rolfe (choir co-ordinator)

The choir is sounding very good and conductor Laurie Orchard is most pleased. We have 18 members but are averaging 10 - 15 at practice due to illness, holidays, etc. At the moment it looks like we will have 15 singing in the concert on Sunday the 25

th August.

Our repertoire includes Heart of My Heart, When Irish Eyes are Smiling, Song of the Volga Boatmen, I'm Getting Married in the Morning, When I'm 64, McNamara’s Band, Ten Thousand Miles Away, Road to Gundagai, Home Among the Gum Trees.

We have a special verse about The Shed inserted in the 'Song of the Volga Boatmen'. At the concert we plan something a bit different and special for the day. Our 'uniform' for the concert is Shed shirt and cap, jeans and leather-sole boots/shoes.

Members will hopefully bring partners, friends, etc, to the concert - a variety of acts, $10 a ticket which includes afternoon tea and entry into the lucky door prize. Tickets are available through Camden Haven Travel (in Bold Street, opposite Coles) or from Rob Ritchie or Mike Rolfe.

Conductor, Laurie Orchard is going overseas after the concert but we have been very fortunate to have a wonderful replacement - none other than Ian Pole, assistant conductor of the MNC Sinfonia, conductor of the Camden Haven Concert Band, musician and music teacher. He has been guest choir master of the U3A choir over the last few weeks while James Hannah has been on leave. Ian was thrilled to hear that the Shed had a choir and immediately offered to fill in for Laurie. Practice is held every Tuesday morning at the Shed at 9:30 for an hour and members are encouraged to join in - great health benefits as well as much enjoyment.

A WALK THROUGH THE SHED FOR OUR MEMBERS, AND OTHERS, WHO DON’T OFTEN VISIT THE SHED

In early August, the Scribe wandered around the shed to record the state of play. Here follows a pictorial record of his perusal – starting at the meeting room end and working through to the annex shed.

The Meeting Room – still a bit cluttered (after all, it’s still a construction site) but you get the idea. Lights, fans, paintwork, woodwork, etc., all done (by the shedders “the boys are doing it for themselves”) so it’s quite useable; only the floor covering to go. We did manage to get it cleared out for the AGM though.

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The Computer Room and Library – all done

barring the shelves inside the storage cupboard. Ken Aldridge was caught laying the carpet a few days ago. All we need now is to find funds (heard that one before?) to get us connected to the internet.

The computer ‘workstations’ ...

... and the Library (pre-sorting and sans magazines)

in the bookcases donated to us by the Port Macquarie courthouse.

The Office – now complete barring the installation of

the desks, storage units, etc.

The Meeting Room ‘Ablutions’: male,

female and disabled toilets – the waterproof membranes have been installed, now awaiting tiling and fitment of the PC items.

The Kitchen – Ah, yes, well! But look through the ‘informal storage’ and you’ll get an idea of what the kitchen will look like. The provision of kitchen units, appliances etc, is currently under ‘active consideration’ by the shed’s project manager and committee. So watch this space; it can only get tidier.

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The Woodworking Shop – the most used area of

the shed at the moment, as can be seen from the ‘well utilised’ state of the work benches!

Monty Hancock doing a bit of intarsia ...

... while the brains of the outfit deliberate over a chair repair: “I reckon it should have four legs” opines ace restorer Mick Horton.

In the Woodturning section of the shop, Steve Little turns the legs for a coffee table ...

... and work on a major intarsia work (a future raffle prize) continues:

The Woodworking Machinery Shop – initial use of

this shop has shown the need for a bit of rationalisation and reorganisation; to be continued.

Then through to the Sign In/Hand-Washroom area – which is essentially complete.

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From the sign in area to the Men’s Common Room

– seen here accommodating one of the regular cooking classes. Once the main kitchen is complete, some of the fitted kitchen seen here will be removed and the area returned to its intended purpose as the men’s common room (for smoko’s (but not smoking), snacks and general socialising).

The First Aid Room – now clean and tidy. It is essential that this room be kept clear, clean and accessible at all times and the first aid kit and defibrillator kept in plain sight for immediate use.

The Metalwork Shop – showing the shed’s new trailer (donated by Richard Curry) refurbished and modified by Glen Roberson and helpers. The trailer is fitted out to carry the gear necessary for raffles, markets, shows, etc. Dennis Locke is currently sign writing the sides with the LMS logos.

Then it’s over to the Annex Shed which houses the Metalwork Machine Shop – this is where Steve Wertich, our star toolmaker, machine repairer and ace metalworking struts his cunning stuff. Shown on the milling machine is a new part being made for the metal shop’s powered metal bandsaw

Next door to the machine shop lives Michael Gleeson and his live steam train workshop —

Mike reckons he has at least another ten years before he can get steam up. And probably even longer for the train!

All that’s left then are the Finishing Room, General Store rooms and the Craft Room (the remainder of

the annex shed is used by the Laurieton Rotary Club for book storage).

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The Finishing Room and general work area – it

will be tidy soon; we promise (work in progress).

... and the Craft Room – which currently holds the magazines, remaining books and other ‘media’ stuff that must be found room for in the Library. This will free up this room for general craft or hobby work.

Last but not least, the General Stores – the stores will be progressively rationalised and more use made of the large storage facilities we have at the Kendall Pre-school.

SHED SAFETY NOTES

EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT & EGRESS

PLEASE KEEP ALL SAFETY EQUIPMENT CLEAR AND ACCESSIBLE AT ALL TIMES.

PLEASE KEEP EMERGENCY EGRESS ROUTES

CLEAR AND UNCLUTTERED AT ALL TIMES.

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TOOL & EQUIPMENT SAFETY

USE THE CORRECT TOOL FOR THE JOB —

please don’t risk the safety of yourself and other workshop users, and help prevent damage to the tools and machines. Below is a grinding wheel found recently in the metalwork shop that has been ‘loaded’ or ‘glazed’ with molten aluminium, rendering it pretty much unusable. Why? – because the wheel fitted is designed for ferrous metals and is unsuitable for grinding soft, low melting temperature metals such as aluminium.

The big no-no with grinders is aluminium; aluminium should not be ground with a grinding wheel. Use the correct abrasive at all times.

Aluminium versus the Bench Grinder

Compared with other common metals (e.g. ferrous metals), aluminium has a much lower melting temperature which causes the aluminium to melt and to coat the wheel (‘loading’ or ‘glazing’), covering the grit and exposing only smears of (melted and re-formed) aluminium. Under normal, and correct, use the stone wheel wears naturally to continually expose fresh grit to the work piece for normal removal of material. If the wheel is loading or glazed, then it's not sharpening itself and basically just rubs the material instead of cutting it. Longer aluminium chips coat the abrasive, which prevents the grain from doing its job. This results in increased heat generation at the point of contact;

continued grinding produces even more heat, which produces more melting, more loading, and so on. This loading problem can cause the grinder operator to apply more pressure to the work piece and risk the grinder ‘grabbing’ and locking-up the machine (not rotating but still under power causing the motor to quickly overheat and risk burn out). Plus the risks of flying hot metal or work piece kick-back causing hand or arm injuries.

Abrasive Discs for Use with Aluminium

Black Silicon Carbide abrasives (sharp cut, clog resistant) are suitable for working aluminium (and most other non ferrous materials). The main abrasive products recommended for aluminium grinding, de-burring and finishing are depressed-centre abrasive wheels, fibre discs, and flap discs.

Depressed–Centre Abrasive Wheels These are

best-suited for de-burring and offer the longest wheel life. They have a more resilient and harder backing than fibre or flap discs and are sturdy enough to remove aluminium welds. They are

normally free from wax or rubber fillers, which helps impede ‘loading’ on hard-to-grind aluminium. Depressed–Centre wheels are not recommended for fine finishing because they leave scratch marks. The wheels are available with ceramic alumina, zirconia alumina, and aluminium oxide abrasives.

Fibre Discs Fibre discs

provide a cool cutting action for clean-up and repair, but they generally have a shorter working life than depressed-centre wheels or flap discs. Zirconia grain is recommended because it micro fractures, constantly exposing new, sharp cutting points which helps to extend disc life.

Flap Discs These discs combine the attributes of depressed-centre wheels and fibre discs for de-burring and finishing. Flap discs comprise three components: a backing plate, adhesive, and abrasive cloth. The layered abrasive cloth provides cushioning for

heavy material removal rates and a surface blending action.

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An Unusual, but interesting, Hazard – High Temperature Burns

When fine aluminium dust becomes mixed with fine ferrous oxide (black powder residue from grinding steel) a compound called thermite is produced.

Thermite is a pyrotechnic composition of metal powder fuel and metal oxide. When ignited by heat, thermite undergoes an exothermic reaction (i.e. it generates heat). Most varieties are not explosive but can create brief bursts of high temperature in a small space if ignited (it burns at around 3,500°C, hence the risk of extensive burns from very short flash exposures). It reacts in a similar way to other fuel-oxidizer mixtures such as black powder (thermite is used to fill incendiary bombs and is also used commercially to weld large steel items, e.g. sections of railway track). Do the sums — aluminium melts at 660°C and thermite ignites at 650°C; so perhaps it’s best to avoid using the same grinding machine to grind both ferrous metals and aluminium! Just in case. Hmmmm?

Dressing a Contaminated Grinding Wheel

If someone does grind aluminium on a grinding wheel, causing it to become coated in aluminium, it will need to be ‘dressed’ using a wheel dresser (a hand tool mounted with two star-shaped soft steel wheels—or diamond tipped if you have $$). When offered up to the rotating grinding wheel, the tips of the stars act like small rotating hammers, re-surfacing the wheel and removing the embedded aluminium globules.

Lubricant Helps

Spray a little aluminium lubricant (e.g. Kangaroo ALU-FIX Oil or WD40) on the area of the aluminium to be ground. This will reduce friction and heat build up, increase the life of the abrasive disc and increase the speed at which the aluminium can be ground. Work the abrasive over the aluminium in smooth rolling motions; don’t let the abrasive sit in one spot too long or an uneven finish may result.

Other Non-Ferrous Metals

The guidance above also applies to most other non-ferrous metals such as brass, soft bronze or copper.

YOU KNOW IT MAKES SENSE

There are two things to note when it comes to taking pride in one’s Shed (or lack thereof). The first is that we have around 150 members and each and every one of us has the right to expect we can come into the shed to do a bit of work in a clean, safe and functional environment without first having to clean up after others, repair tools, etc. The second is that we are privileged to have a facility that cost, in real terms, close to $700,000 to build and equip and is worth, in commercial terms, perhaps close to a million. Each and every member is under an obligation to leave the place in a clean, clear and safe condition ready for the next shedder who might want to use the space that You have been working in using the machines and tools You have just used.

The following examples are, unfortunately, only too common now and the poor housekeeping practices illustrated here need to be reversed. For example:

A shedder turns up to do woodwork; but where is he going to work without first clearing up after others?

A shedder turns up to do metalwork; but where is he going to work without first clearing up after others?

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He needs to use a machine and expects to find it clean, and free of tooling, dust and detritus. But ...

He would like to find tools where he expects them to be stored for use, not hunt for them wherever they happen to have been left (along with the waste from the previous jobs):

Or he would like to show visitors around without first having to take them past junk that has been deposited around the place, but ...

SHEDDERS — PLEASE TAKE PRIDE IN YOUR SHED

Any Other Business

Membership Inquiries

For information on shed activities or membership, contact Robert Ritchie (President) or Paul Nossiter (Membership Registrar) – see below.

Contacts – your Management Committee President Rob Ritchie (6559 8832,

mob: 0438290265) ritchma2@tadaust.org.au Vice President Barry Hume (6559 5237,

mob: 0428217126) Secretary Mike Rolfe (6559 8627,

mob: 0459110808) Treasurer John Denyer (0427359623) j.denyer@bigpond.com

Members: Stuart Grierson – Project Manager (6585 5835,m:0414996654), Robin Masters (6584 8576,m:0412785350) & John Wright (6559 5165).

Membership Registrar: Paul Nossiter: 6586 3911

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A MESSAGE FROM OUR SOCIAL & RECREATION MAN — MILTON JOB

PLANNED DAY TRIPS – Now by Coach?

Tuesday 26th November —A day for the gardeners as we make a return visit to Vanderley

Wholesale Nursery (see Shed Shavings No.15, February 2012) where we received such a

warm welcome last time. Lunch at Wauchope Club and this time we’ll add a visit to Cassegrain

Winery. Cost: $20 (lunch NOT included).

Tuesday 22nd October — A tour of

Australian Solar Timbers at Kempsey —

possibly a local men’s shed after lunch?

(see Shed Shavings No.9, August 2011).

Cost: $20 (lunch NOT included).

Tuesday 25th February 2014 — off again to

the SteberCraft Boatyard at Taree for a

very interesting guided tour of their boat

building and refit facilities (see Shed Shavings No.13, December 2011). Then lunch

at Wingham and a look at Possum Brush

Reserve and the Wingham Museum.

Cost: $25 (lunch NOT included).

All trips start from LUSC at 10am, returning at around 3pm.

This time we are using a small coach — maximum 13 passengers, but less than

10 and it does not happen (by coach, anyway).

Book at the monthly meetings please, and payment at time of booking.

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Late News:

The Concert – Laurieton School of Arts, 25th August

By all accounts, the concert was a roaring success. Not only were all tickets sold, but we had to get extra seats brought in from the shed AND we still turned people away at the door. Very positive chatter about our concert is circulating around the community, apparently, so we should do well with these concerts in the future.

Movie Premier – Red 2, put on for us by the Plaza Cinema Laurieton, 29th August

On offer was a premier of the movie plus morning tea and lunch at a knock down price. News on the success of this venture will be heard at the next monthly meeting.

Bunning’s Sausage Sizzle on the 1st September

This is always a good reliable fund raiser and we’re awaiting news of the $$$$ raised on the (Fathers’) Day.

Alzheimer’s Australia Presentation – September the 17th

Lunch will be provided; more details to follow so watch your e-mail or keep your ears open.

We are to host local men’s sheds for a get together – Date TBA

A long overdue activity where we will be able to swap news and views, make contacts and start to cement together the sheds in this area in a co-operative and supportive way. Watch for more details.