The Shed 122, August/September 2025

Keep on rolling
Growing up near a railway station sparked Greville Wills' lifelong love for trains. Throughout his working career, he has experienced a diverse range of jobs. Today, he identifies as an old-school tinkerer, a model engineering enthusiast, and a "Mr. Fix-it."
Space is definitely at a premium in Greville Wills’ garage workshop. On first look, the visual jumble of tools, projects, ornaments, neons, and former business equipment is confounding. Yet despite the wriggle room between the maze of workstations, there is an underlying order.
Greville is an old-school tinkerer, model engineering enthusiast, and a Mr. Fix-It to his neighbours. He always knew the space here was going to be tight, so before he moved in, he pre-measured and drew a plan for everything from machine placement to car park spaces, factoring in ergonomics and power supply locations to make certain everything would fit and work efficiently.
He is adamant that the layout suits his needs and says, “When I’m making things, everything is here. It is a single person’s workshop, where I can do most things. If assembling or constructing something of size, I just push the cars out to use that space temporarily.”
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Using sewage to heat Parakiore Sports Centre
Clever technology brings huge annual savings on power bills for this brand-new sports complex.
Turning black and blue – how to achieve a black oxide finish
Putting a durable finish on steel components is usually the last step in a project, but it is one which needs to be thought out at the beginning.
Tool making: Wooden tool handles
A small local business supplies wooden handles and more for various tools and has done so for over 80 years.
Restoring a 1952 AJS Part 5 – the electricals, seat, and tank refurbishments
Peter realises that he needs to cultivate more patience and humility, as he is facing stubborn electrical issues that are difficult to resolve.
The Skate Banana
As a youngster, Chris Gordon pinched his sister's roller skates to create a skateboard, igniting a lifelong passion for boards on wheels.
From idea to reality – part 2
Once Bob has completed the 3D digital model of a visor for a digital SLR camera using Alibre Atom 3D software, he now needs to create it using a 3D printer.
The Shed Quiz No. 4
You’ve got a shed, and you know how to use it – but do you really understand how everything works? Test your sheddie knowledge here.
The Roger Mahan Heritage Centre
Roger Mahan was concerned about historically significant tractors being sold overseas, so he decided to gift his extensive collection of cars, tractors and earth-moving equipment.
Building the dream shed – part two
Our hero continues his odyssey, erecting a temple to craft his dream projects.
After a slow start due to the weather, I had the pad done and the portals erected.
Arduino 102 – Libraries
It's time to learn about libraries. A library is a collection of code that provides specific functions or a method for communicating with particular hardware.
Off the grid: The pleasure of pressing parts
Here comes the Hurdy Gurdy man, and it's not Donovan. Murray shares his new passion for making models by pressing parts together and commences with that mysterious instrument, the Hurdy Gurdy.
Project: A useful trolley
A neat and tidy shed is just one of the reasons for this recycling project. The environment and local council fees were also a factor.
The Shed shrink: A creative soul with a master plan
Our Shed Shrink draws inspiration from a dedicated painter and decorator who spends his days in a nine-to-five routine, then transforms city walls into vibrant canvases as a street artist during his spare time.
Blacksmithing: A blacksmith and his shining armour (part 1)
Leon Deverick’s journey from circus performer to blacksmith has been both eventful and adventurous. His enduring passion for armoury has ultimately guided him to his current profession as an armourer.
Back O The Shed: The power and the glory
The independent power retailer Flick has been gobbled up by one of the mega electricity gentailers. Jude wonders what now for our country, its consumers and our energy needs.