Welcome to yeti-monster.com : Dedicated to shed technicians.
A shed is far more than a retreat, although that is the way they are looked upon by "They who do not shed". A shed is, foremost, a sacred place, where rituals are performed, where thoughts can be gathered and processed without distraction. A shed is where all those exotic aromas of youth are kept, in jars, bottles and cans. A place of solitude, a place of company. Where plans are born, nurtured and completed.
The shed "IS".
From the humblest lean-to, to the grandest aircraft hanger, sheds are where mankind is able to transform an idea, a vision, a dream, into reality. Some shedologists, through dedication and inspiration, have become household names, as a result of their endeavors. When the Davidson brothers, and their friend Mr. Harley, set about building motorcycles, they started off in a small wooden shed, they were to become the most famous manufacturers of motorcycles the world has ever seen. Hoover, Dyson, Archimedes and Pythagoras, all toiled away in their own sheds. Most shedologists are happy to remain in obscurity, content enough being in a pleasant environment, surrounded by their projects and equipment, and away from the inanities of modern life.
You may practice your shedology in whatever manner suits you best, woodworking, pottery, fine arts, home brewing, photography, gardening, inventing, experimenting, classic vehicle restorations. Any activity may be performed in the shed. For me, it has been mainly motorcycles. However, with the advent of the BIG shed, I now have enough enclosed workspace to rebuild my Land Rover, work on my bikes and locate my equipment. This has been a massive leap forward for my shedology.
It is the desire to achieve, and the necessity to repair, that spurs us on into the late night, and often till the early hours. When a task is going so well we don't want to stop, or if it's all gone pear shaped and we refuse to be beaten, we feel pride in our work.
I have been a practicing shedologist for most of my life, I always loved the smell of creosote that fills woodensheds, especially in the warmth of summer. I started out by messing in my fathers garage, learning to fix my push bike. The first spanner size that I learned to recognise, was 1/4" Whitworth. I have 3 older brothers, 2 of whom are also very keen shedologists, so I had no shortage of advice and encouragement. As I grew up (I use the term very loosly) and got my first motorcycle, a Honda CG125, my shed activities took a new turn. I found my knowledge to be limited, so I enrolled on a college course in motor vehicle technology, purely to gain understanding of engines and gearboxes. I was also able to learn some rudimentary welding which has come in handy.
The first time you have to approach a new task can be very daunting, but if you accept that the worst that might happen is that you wreck something, and the best that can happen is that you might actually achieve your goal, it soon becomes easy, enjoyable and most rewarding. Starting with very basic maintenance, such as oil and filter changes, skills, experience, knowledge and confidence get stronger. until one day you find that you have stripped your machine and are half way through removing the cylinder head!
My first engine rebuild was on a 1965 BSA A65, after it had thrown a conrod. To my utmost amazement it ran well after I completed the rebuild, and more amazing still, it continued running, now in the possession of one of my elder brothers, on a daily basis for another 10 years without major upset, until it exploded on the M6 in spectacular fashion, this time it was beyond repair!
So much more interesting and rewarding than watching TV.
SHEDOLOGY: GRASS ROOTS ENGINEERING.