Men and Boys - well really its just Boys !

One of the best things about having a dedicated workshop is the focus it can give to Dads doing something with their boys . Here Steve and Josh play on the air hockey board to be restored ; young ones learn to master the ongoing challenge of getting there ( eventually ) with nails .
 Thanks Andrew for a great finale . Next year we hope to visit one of the biggest International tractor collections around , more model boats and planes . Send us your contact details.

Steam boat dags

One of the most endearing finds on our trip out east was to see Andrews completely hand made steam engine and boat. It comes complete with an engine -with reverse( that the shiny steel you can see- all handmade!) water pumps and tea making machine . What a way to relax - coasting around Lake Colac all day on a bucket of coal ( takes up to 6 people?) . At 160 psi, tea making takes only seconds. ( see the teapot on top of the boiler) Can't wait - if only we knew when Lake Colac was next going to fill

Provans polished performance

Anyone (in our team anyway!) can weld up a bit of rusty metal, but only the classy keep it polished and pretty. Ah steam and brass --tis beautiful . This is the operators end of Andrew's traction engine
Not that its all polished - a bit like us . Alan and Les admire the ongoing work in the shed .

On the subject of our keeping a fine balance between showyness and practicality 12 cars/ trucks of Provans from a bygone era featured recently in a movie in Melbourne; Why ? They looked the part, just the right amount of wear and tear. So what are we going to do to keep them and some of Merv's trucks in Colac ?
Steam power too --- tis awesome;
The steam traction engine featured in the Colac Extra but it wasn't a patch on the homemade boat Andrew uncovered in the shed ( mind you -not the only thing he's done from scratch).
Note the kettle for a cuppa on top . At 160psi the teas made in seconds !

Ze Poor man's porshe Picnic

Another great day in October . Age does not weary them . They maybe rusty and old, but it's design that we enjoy and good design is eternal.
Like the blokes from TOP GEAR we enjoy driving the best, but... generally have to wait ,, well ...till they've done a few tests.

How do like this old 1200 motor driving the hedge cutter - just put it in the front forks and drive away - you can do that with porshe engines and gearboxes- so light and note only driving on one side!

Spring agenda--- see below don't forget November!!

Don't forget to bring the boys along 

Volkwagen Heaven

Well there is a lot of dead ones too you know out there . Please register and let us know you are coming -
My little Vw will be there!

Spring Program

Spring Program

• October 18th –
Volkswagen Heaven
Volkswagens – combis, sedans, convertibles and beach buggies. Get the good oil from a man who used to fix them for a living.

• November 14th – Friday for lunch at 12 noon (NOTE CHANGED TIME )
Provan’s Workshop & Car Museum
A not-to-be missed opportunity to see great craftsmanship. Old cars, motor bikes and panel beating par excellence.

Coming up in the New Year
Restoring steam engines/Model Boats/Air Crafthange of plans This saturday- 8-10;30

Meeting this saturday at the workshop ( 37 hesse st) just for breakfast and to make handles for those broken forks you always wanted to fix - we'll do it, as always, quickly . No experts present.

Buy a set top box NOW

Well if you aren't watching Scrapheap challenge on ABC2 at 6:30pm you are missing out on the best live entertainment available at that hour .

Sword sharpening made simple

Would you believe sharp axe making ? In amongst the crowd was Robin hood ( hood for short ) asking the obvious - where do get hold of double headers these days . The answer is not printed here, but rest assured the key answers were given to all questions .
" Colac's own racing axemaker shows a packed shed of blokes breakfasters just how to shape a piece of steel to shave, slice and split in seconds. 8 different abrasives are used to bring the steel to shaving point ; Some of the last abrasives looked more like soap, than stones .
Here Jim shows how to precisely measure the double curve shape ( convex, like a hill , near the edge to concave ,like a valley , through the top ) of the splitting part for maximum "in", minimum grip and maximum split . Different profiles, cutting lengths and angles are used for poplar, ash and jarrah ; the woods used in championships .
Many of us brought our own axes for inspection , only to find that, typically ,we weren't taking enough time and care. Check it with the microscope if you really want to know .
Jim clearly had the edge on the sharpest tool in the shed- that day.

Hows this for making stuff

One of Alan's best was one which cuts a profile in 2 inch steel. Nice and easy if you keep it sharp.

Really Big Toys

Lots of us have rusty old metal out back . Few of us have huge milling machines , dozers and bits that combined , can make just about anything .
But none of can wire up these monster 3 phase motors from single phase power lines .

And only a few of us have so many wonderful precision handles to play with. Robot with controller in the background . Here we find out about how to make a 3phase motor work on single phase, and Jimmy finds out how to switch on the pinball machine on,,,, without paying .

Just about ready to fly

Yes its all there!
But this less than 500kg plane with a few kgs of wings needs 300 metres of clear space - not so common in Barongarook Forest . We'll go out and celebrate one morning in a few months, when its all together.

Winter Program ----

Blokes Breakfasts

. June 21st Fixing really Big Machines; Milling machines to fix some really big old rusty metal: Dozers Trucks that are on site. McKenzies (a 30 min drive from Colac). Meet at the CLC at 7:30am to share transport.

· July 19th Fixing Old Furniture By the fire in the warm workshop at 37 Hesse St. Bring your worst chair to fix. Demo of French Polishing.

· August 16th Woodcutting with Australia’s best Axe-maker. Sharpen your tools to perfection.



Coming up in Spring/Summer

Making new panels for very old cars/Restoring steam engines/Model Boats/Volkswagen Heaven



Shed Meetings are held regularly on the 3rd Saturday of the month (and irregularly on the 1st) at various sheds around Colac.



We meet between 8-10:30 am with meal supplied at cost. Need to know numbers/details? Contact John Modra 5231 5497.

Maybe we could come to your place?

Maybe our visit would make you tidy up your shed?

The Bucket List - Sunday 30th 2:30pm

Stirring story of 2 older men ( incl Jack Nicolson) looking to complete their favourite list of "to do" things before they "kick the bucket" .
Very highly rated, including by some very discerning women . So do join us . Sunday March 30th 2.30 $15 Fundraiser for Colac Chaplaincy : Includes Coffee , cake and biscuits.( not sure how much cake --so be early )

Regular Format

While Blokes Breakfasts are the main feature of this Colac and District Men's group, we also have some other non men only things like theatre nights( where women can come) . the idea is to provide some stimulation for boys of all ages ( bring your sons along) and still have time to do the other things you want to do on saturdays .( Start 8am Finish 10am) While the Creative Living Centre organises the program , you don't have to be a member of CLC or some church . If you would like to keep in touch with the program and get involved , give Chris a ring 52321717 or email djay@eftel.com.au with your email details so we can at least letyou know what's on.
The idea is for one person to provide the venue (THE SHED 9-11) , another to provide the breakfast (8-9 am ) and another to provides the motivation .Nominate a shed - maybe your own ?
The idea with the motivational element is that most of us Blokes seem to need help to get "around to it" .( hence the name of our award ( Around TUIT or A round 2it) Some of you, for example , ( too many infact ) need motivation to getting around to asking some woman (That does not mean just "some woman" either - it means, with the emphasis onthe SOME,,say it with me, she's SOME woman ) into your lives . see the ad for an adventure later in the year ( coming)

Coming events

Plenty of exciting things on the go . Generally something on 3RD SAT MORNING FOR BREAKFAST
You should see Alan's truck and train shed and hear them talking about making completely new panels for old cars in JULY with a English wheel.
Another Alan in MAY has some huge lathes and milling machines for your next dozer job or some piddling little axle you can't turn on your 8 footer.

So The program for the next few months is out . Ask for the piece of paper . No doubt there will be some changes .
For example : Our local volksvagen expert, who was to host us at his shed this month - he owns one of these TRUMP CARD Telstra vans ( but mine is nicer looking !) , is unable to let us explore his collection, and catch some of his yabbies , as he has been unexpectedly called away for contract work in SA after Easter. but he promises to do April - if he can, possibly .
So we are having blokes breakfast at the 37 Hesse st Shed instead

SO, if you have a email address it will enable me to let you know what's happening, and any changes fairly quickly - I appreciate that many of those interested in this group do not use the net, so snail mail is an option . Please check what is on, is actually on , We will add the cost of old technologies like snail mail to your breakfast cost next time . Just joking .

See you there

Man talk

They say men never talk - its true . With the specific aim of making them talk , what do think happened - 2 of us went to sleep and one did more excited talking that the 2 actors on the stage . Next time we we will provide our own conversation and music? . Theatre night February

The Wright boys -still into risky aeroplanes

While he has every confidence in his own plane flying , we weren't so sure aout Gary's new creation ! Some of us who are into poor man porshe engines were pleased that a completely new engine was being used , but did you see the mounting bolts - all 4 or them !about 3/8 in size!
We will have to go back and see it start up . Certainly all that shapely riveted shiny panel stuff in a small shed looks very good . Photo to come -----Thanks Gary breakfast was good too! Blokes Breakfast December

Doing the Kokoda trail- at your age ?

Why not - we come from gumboot country, where we are often up to our necks in the stuff. Adrian Irwin , having been there done that gave us the run around on how you cope slipping around in 11 gruelling days in the mud . It seems the Otways are a good training ground. Anyone for a day walk into the big tree- its kinda slippery!