Dunstable Men In Sheds is a Registered Charity. No 1178575

07972 299630 or dunstablemeninsheds@gmail.com

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    • Home
    • Products & Projects
    • Recent Activities
    • Photo Gallery
    • Shed refurbishment
    • Our Supporters
    • Commissions
    • Photo Archives

07972 299630 or dunstablemeninsheds@gmail.com

  • Home
  • Products & Projects
  • Recent Activities
  • Photo Gallery
  • Shed refurbishment
  • Our Supporters
  • Commissions
  • Photo Archives

formal Re-opening of our shed

Friday 12 May 2023 marked the formal re-opening of our shed following a major refurbishment.

More than two years of planning and fund raising have finally come together and we now have a fantastic facility, the workshop is well lit and ventilated, totally rewired and is a safe and pleasant place to work. We now also have a clean segregated mess area were we can socialise over a cup of tea. We have a small kitchenette and an internal WC, a vast improvement over the portaloo facility outside.

The refurbishment was funded by a combination of grant funding from Dunstable Town Council and Central Bedfordshire Council and other organisations, funds raised by sales of items made in the Shed and donations from members. We were also delighted to be given donations in kind for some significant aspects of the project.  

We now have one of the best Sheds in Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire, and we are able to offer excellent facilities to both existing and new members  

Re-opening of Dunstable Men in Sheds

The Mayor of Dunstable, representatives of DTC and CBC, Andrew Selous MP plus Shed members gather for the re-opening ceremony

    Magazine Racks

    Work in Progress

    Work in Progress

    Work in Progress

     

    Some time ago we were contacted by Paul, who explained that he was 

    helping his parents with some house clearance prior to a downsizing 

    move. We visited the house and collected some tools and timber. During 

    the discussion, Paul mentioned that his parents also had an old pine cot 

    that could not be recycled. This had been in the family for many years 

    and it was decided that this could be turned into a matching pair of 

    magazine racks for use by two of the family who are teachers - thus 

    keeping the old cot in the family.

    Finished Rack

    Work in Progress

    Work in Progress

      


    Nigel found a suitable design as a starting point and Brian took on the 

    build of the racks. Over the next few weeks they took shape as the old 

    cot parts were transformed.

    Paul's parents completed their downsizing move, but sadly his father 

    died shortly after this. Unfortunately, he did not see the completed racks.


    Collection

    Work in Progress

    Collection

     


    This weekend the racks were collected from the Shed by Paul's sister and 

    will hopefully go on to have new lives with the family.

    Megaglass Bench

    Terry Presents the Bench to Chris and Nicola from Megaglass

    We made a bench from the packaging material that Megaglass generously donates and presented it to them as a small token of our gratitude.

     

    New equipment at the shed

    Funded By The ASDA Foundation

    Thanks to the generosity of ASDA and the hard work put in by Tony (AKA Sean) we now have some great new equipment at the shed 

    Early Morning Delivery

    One heavy packing crate arrived bright and early at the shed, the strong plywood panels will be recycled in the shed and used for future projects.

    Unpacking

    Assembly Team

    Everyone sets about unpacking 

    Assembly Team

    Assembly Team

    Assembly Team

    Contrary to urban myth sometimes men read the instructions !!

    First Run

    Assembly Team

    First Run

    The honour of the first run was awarded to Tony, we can now take rough timber and turn it into quality material for our projects

    Wigwam Project

     A wigwam side panel assembled in the jig.  The jig was designed as standard engineering practice, to ensure that all the five sides of the wigwam would  be pre-drilled and made exactly the same so that final assembly would be easy. 

     The assembled side panel – showing the finished length @ 2.60m. 

     The ‘first fix’:  Three out of the five sides clamped together to check alignment.  The pre-drilled fixing holes can be seen in the joining rails.  However, the uneven ground made it hard to determine accuracy of fit. 

      

    The ‘first fix’:  External view showing the overall height of 2.40m, and how the wigwam fits onto the base diameter of 2.00m.  Only the fourth side panel and the fifth ‘Doorway’ panel to complete before the ‘second fix, and snagging’ stage. 

    RVS ASDA foundation award

    The Plaque

    The Plaque

    Abigail , from RVS,  visited Dunstable shed today to present us with a cheque and a plaque 

    The Plaque

    The Plaque

    The Plaque

    The Plaque

    Cheif fund raiser, Tony accepts the award from Abigail

    Click on photos for slide show

    Visit to winslow shed

    Warm Winslow Welcome

    Paid a visit to the Winslow shed this week,  made welcome by the members who gave us the grand tour !   They have a great set up with good facilities.

    Winslow Shed Site

    Wood turning classes

    Wood Turning

    Several shedders wanted to try wood turning, thanks to Keith for coming in to share his knowledge and give shedders a start in a new skill.

    Christmas Craft Fair


    We held a successful stall at the craft market in Aston Square in November and December.


    The there is still time to buy our hand made and individual Christmas items and lots more, just come to the shed during open hours or go to "contact us" via the home page.

    Totem Pole handover

    17 October 2017

     

    Today at Beecroft Academy the Totem Poles were officially handed over to the school, Terry, Martin, Glynn, John, Tony and myself were there to represent the Shed and the entire school turned out to give us a rousing welcome. I think we were all surprised and touched by the reception. Many of the kids, sorry students, thanked us and all seemed thrilled with the work we did on the Totems. Current protocols mean we have to seek parental permission to post photographs with the children in them so for now just one of us. When I get more from the headmaster I will post them here.

    Photos Published Scroll Down

    TOTEM POLE CEREMONY

      Totem Poles erected at beecroft

        Woodturning at the shed

        Check out this great video

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