Men's Shed

[herbie]

We're forming a Men's Shed group in our town, have about 20 members so far.
Any regulars here involved in one? Retired guys meet, share skills, do projects etc.
Any tips or project ideas?

[Dougie93]

11 hours ago, herbie said:

Any tips or project ideas?

paramilitary training course ; Loyalist Militia

[Greg]

@herbie, lets update that topic title and make it more descriptive:

[herbie]

If you're not familiar the Men's Shed idea is a growing movement where mainly retired workers form a social group to promote and share the skills they've acquired over the years.
It provides a place to hang out, socialize and return something to your community. Usually there's an area with a cribbage gamer and coffee always on, and a work area.
Gather and recycle things and repair them, like guys reupholstering couches, woodworking, rewiring etc. etc. and usually a 2nd hand shop where those things are returned, given or sold not for profit.

For example, I can go and someone will show me how to do woodworking stuff that I was never very good at, another basic plumbing or welding, etc. I can in return show them how to use iPhones, or Windows or fix their broken electronics.
In a nearby town, their shelter was donated rent free and is big enough to bring your car in and do an oil change or radiator flush yourself - with help form others. Handy when it's -25 ouitside! Membership fees and 2nd hand sales just cover heat & light, coffee and donuts.

It's a great idea to promote purpose and belonging to retired men. Years ago I did a study for ny union that found after an early retirement buyout, almost 2/3 of those retirees died withing 5 years. They had no plan for retirement, no purpose once they did. My own Dad aged at double speed after a golden parachute, was in a home within 20 years, my father-in-law discovered "golfing" was not a retirement plan and drank himself to death even quicker.

We've all had many years of experience and skills we can share with each other, and there are many in our communities that can't afford professionals for some things. Go fix that little old lady's sink or show an old fart how to use an Amazon Fire Stick, you're on a pension you don't need the dough. Most of them will offer what they can afford and be insulted if you don't take it, so accept that. Some need your company more than they need a bill, some their company is worth far more than money.

It's something to do, something that gives back and something of you that you can share that makes you feel good.

[Iceni warrior]

My only experience of Men's Shed was in Ireland. I managed to get a seat in their annual soap box derby. Great fun and I managed to get third place and a little trophy presented in front of the IRA memorial on the high street.

Have you got a hill with a few bends on it?

 

[CouchPotato]

On 2/14/2025 at 4:35 PM, herbie said:

If you're not familiar the Men's Shed idea is a growing movement where mainly retired workers form a social group to promote and share the skills they've acquired over the years.
It provides a place to hang out, socialize and return something to your community. Usually there's an area with a cribbage gamer and coffee always on, and a work area.
Gather and recycle things and repair them, like guys reupholstering couches, woodworking, rewiring etc. etc. and usually a 2nd hand shop where those things are returned, given or sold not for profit.

For example, I can go and someone will show me how to do woodworking stuff that I was never very good at, another basic plumbing or welding, etc. I can in return show them how to use iPhones, or Windows or fix their broken electronics.

That sounds like a really cool idea, herbie. I have never heard of anything like that around here. But I would love to learn woodworking and stuff like that.

I don't know if it's just me, but one thing I've noticed in the last several years is that people of all skillsets have become more understanding and patient with people who have no knowledge of the things they are into. Like I can remember being a kid helping my uncle with something, and he might say something like "Go grab me that twaggle ratchet." And when I didn't respond immediately he might say "What's wrong with you, don't know what a twaggle ratchet is?" It really just turns you off from ever learning to use a twaggle ratchet.

Edited March 1 by CouchPotato

[herbie]

One of the reasons I'm involved. Might be a master of electronic stuff, but I'm useless with woodworking, painting and some automotive related stuff. Love to cook but know dick about baking.
Great opportunity to trade skills, help the community and give seniors a sense of purpose. I think that was what made both my father and father in law pass so soon after retirement.

I'm also disgusted with people who simply refuse to learn new things and have to be sneaky teaching them, so they don't realize they are.

[herbie]

On 2/27/2025 at 10:52 AM, Iceni warrior said:

Have you got a hill with a few bends on it?

How's about our annual end of ski season race where people ride leaky canoes, car hoods, even a bathtub down the slopes for prizes? Not really a function of a Men's Shed though, but something to sponsor.

[CouchPotato]

18 hours ago, herbie said:

but I'm useless with woodworking, painting and some automotive related stuff.

That's me right there. And even when I did help dad or other relatives with that kind of stuff I had very little interest and just did what I had to until I could go do something else. Kinda wish I hadn't been like that.

[herbie]

I was so bad at woodwork I think my Grade 9 bookcase is in some NSA lockup as they figure out how I got 4 dimensions out of one plank... measure nine times, cut once. curse. get more wood.

[RB]

It is an awesome idea that you are getting together.  Can it be guys and gals? I know retired folks in Scotland who build their own musical equipment in the garage from wood laying around the street and then "idea" they play music in the marketplace.  So fun.