Dear  Woodworkers

I am writing to you all to seek expressions of interest in working from a group workshop.

I have recently returned to Nelson from a 13 month contract working as full-time crew on board a private yacht and I am looking to resume my furniture-making.  Over the past few years I have been slowly collecting the power tools and machinery required to equip a workshop, hoping that one day the other required elements would come together to make running a workshop and working alongside other woodworkers a reality.

At the moment I am researching suitable spaces to set up a workshop.  My intention is for it to be located close to or in central Nelson and to be of a size that could accommodate  two or three others working within it full time (or more working part time).  I am not particularly drawn to the idea of working on my own, which is why I am keen to secure a space large enough that a small group of us could work from.  In addition, it would be a shame to have accumulated all the equipment that I have, to be the only one who uses it.

There would be a rent charged per person which would depend on whether the agreement was to use the space on a full or part time basis.  My preference is to work alongside other full time woodworkers, however, I would still be interested in talking with anyone who is only interested in working within this environment part time.

I have listed below what I see the rent covering, a list of supplied machines, a list of items that would be supplied by the individual and what I believe the benefits of this work environment would be.

Rent to cover:

Space for a bench

Use of all machines

Machine maintenance

Shared use of layout tables (one layout table for every two people)

Rack space for storing a modest amount of timber and sheet goods

Use of selected power tools

Clamps

Power, heating, water, phone (local calls)

Machine List:

Wadkin panel saw

Wadkin 36” bandsaw

Wadkin 400 mm buzzer

Wadkin Mortiser.

SCM thicknesser

DYCO Superfine saw

6” DYCO Buzzer

12” Bandsaw

Drill press

Wood lathe

Horizontal slot mortiser

Router table with triton 3.25 HP router

Tormex wet stone grinder

Stone wheel grinder

Extractors

Vacuum press

Items supplied by individual:

All consumables

Own work bench

Hand tools and bench sharpening stones

Router bits

Drill bits

Potential benefits:

A social network.

Supportive work space for aspiring woodworkers who may not have a functional work space of their own or have the means at this time to lease or buy a suitable work space.

Ability to work alongside and learn from woodworkers with a variety of abilities, skills and experience.

Ability to pool resources to gain discounts off timber, tools and materials.

Proximity — close to or in town.

Security system.

For those who are interested in this idea please let me know, and please also feel free to share any preferences you may have for other benefits/equipment etc that could be included in the arrangement, or simply any other related thoughts or ideas.

Hope to hear from some of you soon.

Regards

Nigel

Nigel Whitton

M: 021 723619

E:  nigel@nwdesigns.co.nz