The Shed 110, August/September 2023

The fridge magnate
Keeping classic fridges alive
You never know where an interest will take you and for Mark Bedford that interest in fridges has led him to a business where he is the go-to guy for repairing, restoring, modifying and preserving vintage fridges. For our cover story in this issue, we visited Mark in his Auckland workshop where he describes his engineering approach to the preservation of  these rare and collectible kitchen essentials.

Camper-van conversion

Making your own camper-van
Many of us have the strong desire to own a camper van and in the true sheddie spirit, why buy a ready made when you can make your own. In our ‘From the archives’ feature this issue Bert Toomey shows us with good planning, how a very ordinary van becomes a camper-van, pop top and all. 

Make a crossbow – Part 1
Crossbows – very old, very cool, very lethal
Nigel Young has been fascinated by crossbows since he was a young boy and rather than buy one off the shelf he saw it as an opportunity to have a crack at making his own. There’s a lot to learn and be aware of, safety rules and regs just for starters, and we join him as he heads off on his journey in part one of this three part series.
Software test
Alibre 101 – Part 7
We are getting close to the end of this tutorial series on how to use this Alibre design software and by now your skill level will be right up there. In this part 7 of our 10 part series, Bob Hulme describes how to show Assemblies. Our tutorial for this issue is how to make a dimpling die.
Small engine installation
Simple and cheap engine installation
In the previous issue of The Shed magazine, a reader asked if we could go into some detail for him on choosing and installing a small engine to do a specific task and of course, we were delighted to do just that.
We headed back to explore further the small engine installation undertaken by Neville Watkinson into his build of a Milford 20 yacht in The Shed issue 107. Was it going to be a cheap and efficient use of a petrol engine or not?
Building the ultimate shed – part three
The final touches
Des Bromilow completes the build of his ultimate shed, a build where he has left absolutely nothing to chance. Every aspect of the perfect workshop has been installed here, including storage and extensive future proofing. Des finishes off the build this issue with his guidelines for the perfect shed – safety, security, and ease of operation.
Off the grid
Meccano magicians
Murray left his off the grid workshop for this issue’s column when he learned of a nearby Meccano club meeting and exhibition. He had no choice, he had to visit and was so glad he did, there were some breathtaking examples of this classic building toy on display.
Electronics
Ghent Maker Faire - Part 1
For our electronics feature this issue, we step away from a build project and instead head to a makers’ fair in Europe, this one in Belgium. Young and old were there, keen to display their electronic creations as well as to learn, share and to just enjoy fellow electronic sheddies’ skills.
Northbrook Museum
This is a story about a man and his museum
Richard Spark ran his family’s dairy farm in partnership with his brothers John and Bob from when he left school until he retired 42 years later. Richard started collecting items of interest from an early age and now that interest has turned into a huge multi-shed museum complex along with a conference centre, funeral centre, cafe and chapel on the outskirts of Rangiora.
Building a wattle garden shelter
Ancient methods still have their place in modern buildings
Bob Van Putten is another sheddie that lives off the grid and he aims to create what he needs using what’s to hand and what’s affordable. It also needs to suit his environment. In this article bOb describes how he builds a simple garden shelter using nearby sourced timbers and ancient preservation and building methods.
The Shed shrink
A thing of beauty is not only a joy forever; it can also inspire us and contribute to our mental well-being.
Our mental well being coach, Mark Seek, sees the huge benefits in being creative and what a joy it is to be so but also to appreciate those around us that are incredibly creatively talented.
Buggyrobot in Oamaru
Martin Horspool – junkyard genius
Through the years of having successful exhibitions and even getting commissions from overseas, working all weekend on his art, Martin kept the day job as a printer until finally, in August last year, he decided he had had enough. He quit his job, left Auckland and headed south to start a new life doing what he loves the most, creating pieces from others discarded metal and more. Now he is doing and creating all and every day the things that really matter to him.