Timmo on the Tools

ConneXu partner Timmo has always enjoyed working with his hands, using tools and keeping busy doing practical tasks.

Previously he has helped out at a nursery and raises chickens at home to sell the eggs.

When he moved to a new ConneXu house, he assembled all the new kitset furniture using an Alan key and says he enjoyed the challenge.

Timmo’s latest endeavour is getting involved at Hamilton Community Men’s Shed, where he attends regularly to learn new building skills and build things with wood.

His first project was making a wooden chopping board, which he gifted to his sister. “She thought it was good,” says Timmo.

Now, Timmo is working on a set of nesting tables. His Community Facilitator Phillip Mason says Timmo got the idea when he saw some in a furniture shop.

“We had a look at some furniture in the shops and Timmo thought he might like to make some nesting tables, so that’s how it started really,” says Phil, who supports Timmo to attend the Men’s Shed, driving him there from Te Awamutu.

Timmo used pine tongue and groove for the tabletop and has spent the last few weeks building a frame, gluing leg supports for the corners, screwing in the pieces and planing and sanding the edges.

Timmo says “it’s been good” using tools and he likes the knots in the pine table that make it more interesting.

His last part of the plan is to stain it for a nice finish. “Guess what my favourite colour is?” says Timmo. “Yellow – that’s what I am going to stain it.”

Men’s Shed Volunteers Dave Hemming and Bruce Mather oversee the workshop and lend technical help and advice as needed.

“There are some things we need to do, like operating the drop saw,” says Dave, who has been a volunteer for the past seven years.

Bruce, who has volunteered since the Men’s Shed opened around 18 years ago, adds “The spirit of the Men’s Shed is to get involved and learn.”

“So, we try to teach people how to do things themselves and just provide encouragement and support if they need it.”

Phil adds that he is keen to learn some new wood working skills so that he can further support Timmo in his goals.

“It’s bringing back memories of wood working in school. Hopefully I’m a bit better than I was back then,” jokes Phil.

Keep it up Timmo – we can’t wait to see what you build next!