Manning Men’s Shed Newsletter An activity of the Manning Senior Citizens Centre November 2015 #10

Editors Note: In this issue we report on general news, the usual safety snippet this time is on eye protection eyes, and the featured member article written by Hugh West. Remember, while working on your projects to take photos of what you are doing or have completed, and forward these to me, preferably via email or on a memory stick. (r.loss@iinet.net.au).

Shed program Mon: 8:30 – 12: General Shed session and Woodworking. 1 – 4:30: General Shed session Tue: 8:30 – 12: General Shed session 1 – 4:30: General Shed session Wed: 8:30 - 12: General Shed session and Metal Work, 1 – 4:30: Children’s Furniture and Toy projects Fri: 8:30 - 12: General Shed session, 1 – 4:30: Engine Room, maintenance and set up *************************************************************************************************************************** October Shed Sausage Sizzle On the last Friday afternoon of each month MMS runs a Sausage Sizzle where members gather for a few drinks, a bite to eat, and the chewing over of events that happened during the past month. Thanks to leftovers from the recent Bunnings Sausage sizzle fundraiser there was still plenty of food available for this event – thanks to Mel Taylor and other helpers for manning the BBQ. Three members of the Como Rotary Club, who have been one of the “much appreciated” Shed Sponsors, attended the gathering. Former City of South Perth Mayor, Manning Senior Citizens Centre Committee and RSL member John Collins spoke about RSL membership and how well the RSL view the success of the Manning Men’s Shed project.

Shed Coordinator (Ron Tompkin) and Shed Chairman (Rob Uppill) took the opportunity to distribute the usual awards for suitably quirky traits and behaviours, such as the SupaGlue Prize for “Sticking to the Job”. Several members also received wooden spoons presumably for being “Stirrers”? *************************************************************************************************************************** Contacts - Shed Telephone Number: 0475 981 261; Shed Email ManningMensShed@iinet.net.au Shed Coordinator: Ron Tompkin, Shed Committee: Rob Uppill (Shed Chairman), Ron Tompkin (Shed Coordinator), Kingsley Waterhouse (Secretary), Freddie Tan (Treasurer), Bernie Dierks, Bob Loss, Greg Abbott Membership: Don Cameron and Greg Abbott. Assets Management: Eric Goddard Manning Senior Citizens Centre: Glenn Rogers, 9450 6273 ***************************************************************************************************************************

More Photos from the Sausage Sizzle

Como Rotary Club members enjoying a beer.

Shed members Don Cameron and Bill Rensted discussing Bill’s Award.

Ross Bedford sporting his reconstructed right foot and 1970’s “Easy Rider” Gopher.

Rob Uppill hands out a few awards. General News 1. Specialty timbers auction.  The Forest Products Commission is holding its next specialty timbers auction in Harvey on Saturday, 14 November 2015. Going under the hammer will be a variety of highly sought after timber species from the Goldfields and South West regions. More information is available in the attached flyer and on the FPC website. See www.fpc.wa.gov.au/go/auctions for more details 2. Shed Christmas function dates There has been a change to the MMS Xmas function, which will now be held on Monday December 22. The MSCC Xmas dinner will be on Dec 16 & 18. More times and details will be provided in later newsletters and emails 3. Como Rotary Club. Como Rotary Club was one of the major donors and sponsors in helping us set up the new Shed. Recently Ron Tompkin and Rob Uppill presented a “Shed Update” to a Como Rotary Club meeting and by all reports they were very pleased with the progress we have made and would like to become further involved with a targeted long-term donation program, which we are most grateful for. The committee is preparing a planning document that will address shed needs into the future. Further details as they become available.

4. Chess Board project Shed members, Rudi Williams and Arnold Godfrey, display their recently completed Chess Board project.

The story behind this project was that Arnold was helping another shed member (Ted Smith) make a similar chessboard for his grandson. When Rudi saw the quality of what was being made he said he would like to make one. Unfortunately we don’t have a Photo of Ted’s chess board, but I did manage to get a Photo of Rudi’s board before it left the shed. I’m sure you will agree that they did a great job. According to Rudi, Arnold is “The Chess Board Master” and deserves most of the credit. 5. Update to Shed Procedures Documentation The Shed Action Group, and in particular Gregg Abbott, have been very busy updating the Shed Procedures and Policies Manual. The Manual covers a wide range of Shed operations including committee structure, purchasing, membership, safety, emergency procedures etc. The manual was first developed when the Shed only had a handful of members so that we could apply for funding to set up the shed. Now the Shed has been running for almost a year there is a need for a comprehensive update and additions. Once a near complete draft of the revised Manual is ready it will release it for all members for comment. 6. Security System Update As mentioned last time the Shed is now monitored and secured with a live video feed and recording security system. Certain members are now able to remotely check what is going on inside the shed and report unwanted activities accordingly. One thing I did not mention was that it is possible for the security system to be armed while the shed is open for business. This will of course set off the Alarm If this occurs do not be alarmed but the alarm is loud so you may wish to vacate the shed until the alarm is switched off.

7. Member competencies Some members have been discussing member competencies, and some have expressed concern regarding the assigned competency of some members. All members are assessed for competency and awarded a level considering all available information. The present member competency system commenced in April this year with the expressed purpose to monitor and adjust as we went along. Some members have had their competency level reassessed and adjusted to provide a more appropriate level. In March / April 2016 we will hold a review and implement any changes as necessary. If you believe a members competency is incorrectly assigned, rather than discussing it directly with the member concerned, the Shed Committee would like you to inform Ron Tompkin or one of the committee about your concerns. Of course if any member is in immediate danger and it is safe for you to warn, intercede or help them, then you should do so. Vacuum Cleaning Anyone? So this retired guy sits around the house all day. His wife says, "You could do something useful, like vacuum the house once a week." Guy gives it a moment's thought and says, "Sure why not, show me the vacuum cleaner." Half an hour later, the guy comes into the kitchen to get some coffee. Wife says, "I didn't hear the vacuum work, I thought you were using it?" Exasperated man answers, "The stupid thing is broken, and won’t start. I've got to buy a new one." "Really", she says., "Show me - it worked fine the last time." So he did, he pulls the cord out and lets it go, pulls the cord out and lets it go, pulls the cord out and lets it go, pulls the cord out and lets it go. "See, I told you it wouldn't start"  

Featured Member – Bob Loss (Article by Hugh M.J. West) Bob is a long-time member who contributes so much to the shed’s success. He was born in Pemberton and grew up in the Busselton and Fremantle areas. His working life was spent teaching Science and Physics for seven years. On completing his PhD, Doctor Bob; did research at Curtin University before travelling to the USA, University of California researching the “formation of the chemical elements” through fragments of ancient pre-solar system meteorites. Well done too Bob ! From the early 1990’s, until he retired in 2013, Bob worked as an academic at the Physics Department of Curtin University. We have come to know Bob as a very down to earth practical and competent expert in many areas, which includes: His knowledge of WA timbers, home manufacture of precision tools, instruments, and minor job-facilitating inventions. His large collection of workshop tools, which he made unaided are art form. An example is this wood marking gauge in ebony, carbon steel point and polished brass inlaid corners, Unbelievable quality of finish !!!

Bob’s present project is the refurbishment of a very efficient felled log milling, fully mechanical band saw of large proportions. Some resulting timber planks and blocks he has provided to shed members for projects. The next photo is an example of a log that Bob milled down south at Denmark, the timber from which as subsequently into the woodwork bench shown.

That’s Bob running the chainsaw and below is the woodwork bench made out of the extracted timber

Because he spends a lot of time on the Shed Committee and in his home workshop . . .( as much as any of US) His lovely wife Amanda has her own time consuming hobby . . . “Messing around with horses”. Where she is successful and competent. Bob’s other hobbies include; Computers, 360 panoramic photography, beer tasting, 2 very active Border Collies and an expensive coffee machine, costing as much as some of the machinery in his shed. At least that is what he told me. Composite photo of some of Bob’s work in 2007

Because Bob compiles this newsletter I volunteered to write this feature from Bob’s info and it has been a privilege. Best wishes and thanks Bob.

Safety Snippets – Watch your eyes During the early 1990s, the Accident Research Centre at Monash University in Victoria undertook extensive research into DIY accidents. Over a period of 3 years they looked at the; - Top 10 causes for presentation to a Hospital

Outpatients (see VISS presentations) - Top 10 causes for a Admission into hospital

(see VISS Admissions) - Top causes of Death - The list below makes for sobering reflection.

The one tool that surprised me is the humble ladder; #3 for Presentation, #1 for Admissions and #2 for Deaths. Have you noticed how new ladders these days come with a detailed list of instructions on the sides of the ladder? I often wonder how many people take any notice of them. The single, most common, easily preventable injury was eye damage. 59% of Grinder injuries involved eyes. A significant number of eye injuries involved; welders (30%) and power saws (14%), hammers, and even motor vehicles. Less than 10% of the persons with eye injuries wore any form of safety gear, let alone dedicated eye protection. The report makes a number of points regarding eye injuries;

- The misconception by workers and the Australian Standards that hammering is a low hazard activity;

- The fallacy that ordinary safety spectacles will offer adequate eye protection;

- The failure of manufacturers to provide warning labels on tools to alert users of the potential hazards of eye injuries and the need for protective equipment.

- A lack of recognition of the superiority of polycarbonate over other materials used for eye protection;

The reasons given by those injured for not wearing suitable eye protection fell into three categories:

- one third felt it was unnecessary; - one third said the protection was not

available; - and the remainder said the various

forms of eye protection available were uncomfortable.

Other major complaints about the eye protectors were that they misted up frequently and also that they restricted the field of vision.

Hardware stores and tool manufacturers have responded accordingly. Over the last decade there has been a large increase in the numbers, comfort and styles of eye PPE available in stores. Tool manufacturers have also provided more detailed instructions regarding what PPE to use with tools. But of course, when it comes down to it, eye protection only works if you wear it