Shannon Town Men's Shed

 Last time Tony visited he forget a drill to fix up the fallen slate. He remembered it this time but forgot to bring a laminated QR code so people could interact with this blog! Great weather at 20 C and Daniel, who works in the building who's car park hosts the bug hotel, and was out for a stroll in the sunshine kindly lent a hand with the terracotta clay replacing the glue gun glue. And the LoRaWAN sensor is still happily reporting the temperature :) (Live data can be viewed at: https://shannontownwetlands.ie/westpark-campus/bug-hotel ) Tony fixed the laminated QR code to it in the evening and had a lovely chat with Liam who was out for a walk.

Tony explained the batteries are 6 euro a piece new while spending 10 minutes pulling an old laptop battery apart can provide you with a haul of nine! His smart home computer and The Things Network gateway (https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/) (that is talking to the Bug Hotel) will now be resilient to 10 minute power cuts! (And Tony is looking forward to learning from Pat and Sean's wooden clock box making skills!)

 As Brian said it is tricky as the blade is quite thick unlike having a more narrow rip blade. But the results are impressive all the same :) 

Having a workbench, tools and the space really helps when tackling a project. But better still is having someone to lend you a hand. We are looking forward to the finished project Pat :)  

 It's great the variety of tools we have in Shannon Mens Shed in Smithstown :)

 Great to hold a piece of wood you're cutting in a vice and lots of oil! You make your bed then you lie in it!

After a very wet morning Derek, Tim, Jarlath and Tony headed out with a few ladders to remove the bunting. The bunting in the square had already been removed. But we don't know who by!  

 It's wonderful to see these quality benches being restored and put to use again. A well deserved rest by Brian!

 John wasn't sure the origin of this bench but it was left in a poor state for long in the Mens Shed!

 A friend saw the swan planters Brian made some time ago and asked for more! What a lovely idea and so attractive to old and young alike :)

 Here Mike says a few words: "This Shed Project made 3 of large wild bird nest boxes. This was my first attempt at this particular item. Construction was from repurposed waste material. The Barn Owl is important for rodent management in agriculture. Increasing public awareness in the environment has focused on this protected bird."