For the bloke whose shed is his castle ...

The first issue of 'The Shed'. Picture / Paul Estcourt

When I was a child growing up in South Otago, my grandad's shed always held an element of mystery and a quiet sense of awe.

Inside, sunlight filtered through dust-caked windows, throwing dim light on mysterious shapes under sacks, while strange smells emanated from every corner.

Sandy the cat was invariably curled up in a corner of the workbench, keeping a lazy eye on activities.

To say my grandfather's shed was cluttered is an understatement.

A gardener by trade, he filled his retirement years by pottering among the junk, traipsing around secondhand shops and garage sales in search of antique hand tools and "useful" things.

He was able to make almost anything you asked him to, like a rabbit hutch, conjured up overnight after the unexpected acquisition of a new pet.

Unlike the "sheddies" of today, my grandfather worked with his hands. Now men are spoilt for choice when it comes to power tools, ranging from the cheap, almost disposable variety to industrial-strength models.

In the past, forays into the shed were solo expeditions. With only their knowledge and imagination to guide them, men would disappear for hours on end.

But the modern "sheddie" has another advantage: his own monthly publication to inspire him.

The Shed aims to bring together many disciplines, including wood and metal work, design and restoration.

It is aimed at the average shed-dweller, the home DIYer.

As publisher Jude Woodside wrote in the first editorial, "all over the country on any weekend, the backyards of the nation hum, buzz, fizz and thump to the sound of people creating their dreams. Everyone seems to either have a shed or know someone who does. The No 8 wire tradition is still very much alive."

The first issue covers the contentious issue of whether one should buy a cheap power tool or fork out for a top brand, while exposing the explosion of power tool sales in New Zealand over the past five years.

The Shed provides advice on developing and marketing inventions and step-by-step projects, such as how to build your own trailer.

It is not all serious work. The first issue includes a glossary of terms such as "Comeinandee - essential description of most things in a shed. Who knows when, but one day, it will definitely come in handy, so store it away now."

Also included is "Other half - the one who keeps asking, 'How long have you had that?' to which we invariably reply, 'Oh, ages'."

Grandad would rue the loss of handmade items - he often said those made with power tools lacked the warmth and personality of those created by hand.

Although he may not have had time for fancy new machines and a glossy magazine, he would be glad the spirit of the garden shed has made it into the 21st century.

- NZPA