In the January/February Issue 76 of The Shed, we decide the best way to enjoy summer is to create some outdoor fires that Sheddies can happily build themselves. Jude builds one for a measly $200 out of Corten steel and we follow the build of a block kitset fireplace that takes less than two days to set up. David Blackwell visits the Melbourne Working with wood show and we meet Des Thomson of Christchurch who endless skill-set sees him build a unique pod for his small campervan. His skills will astound you. Hugh McCarroll hears the call from his wife who needs a rolling stool made for her galley kitchen then we head to Oamaru to meet Alistair Allan who has old chicken sheds chock full of Kiwiana. Andrew Bellringer is an ex-diesel mechanic who now creates stunning art pieces out of steel junk and Coen Smit show us another way to use cast-off materials by using it to create interesting household lamps. Philip King is an Auckland antique furniture restorer and he shares some of his tricks of the trade with us and we visit the shed of Aucklander Simon Dew who restores BSA, Royal Enfield and Moto Guzzi motorbikes – to name but a few. We learn all about the Hallswell Menzshed in Christchurch before Enrico Migliano gives us more 3D printing tips and advice. Ritchie Wilson and Jude Woodside team up to explain all there is to know about universal sockets, sockets and spanner sizes through the ages before Bob Hulme gives us some choice tips on drills and drilling in our metalwork workshop. We close this Christmas and summer issue with Back ‘O’ the shed where Jim Hopkins is pleading with us to have a 2018 of living positively. Now The Shed is all for that!
Small vehicle, large challenge
The miniature Land Rover is called a Toylander and two lucky grandsons in Australia will soon be taking delivery of a toy that most kids only dream of. Toylander is based in the UK and sells plans and kitsets for a variety of vehicles. Graham came across their website and bought a set of Land Rover plans on impulse, thinking he could knock one up for one of his grandson’s birthdays.
Rather than being a quick job, the project got under his skin and became a bug that has seen the house renovations put on hold, the new shed delayed and a couple of birthdays slip by in the year and a half it has taken to complete.
Although the Toylander plans are comprehensive and highly detailed, Graham’s version has gone far beyond the basic instructions.