The Shed 126, April/May 2026

Honing an edge
Hayden Scott’s road to crafting Damascus blades has been a journey of self-discovery, from an ambitious teen working the boning tables of the Balclutha freezing works to chef Al Brown’s right-hand man. Now, with over 25 years of experience using knives, he has found his calling: hand-forging the finest blades for cooks all over the world from his backyard sheds in the Waitākere Ranges.
“Hayden grew up in Balclutha surrounded by farmland and a practical family: his mum made the family’s clothes; dad was a chippie; an uncle built airplanes, and another uncle was a fitter and turner.
Hayden and his brother were often left to their own devices, usually with a pocket knife in hand. He remembers, “I always had a project on the go. What have we got here? What can I make from this?" Huts and bows and arrows lead to hovercrafts with electric motors, and later to bicycles, motorbikes, and furniture restorations."
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Ayrburn Classic 2026 dazzles: A spectacular celebration of classic motoring
A dazzling display of more than 600 rare, classic exotica descended on the tranquil lakeside setting and terraces of the Ayrburn Precinct near Queenstown for the 2026 Ayrburn Classic, a celebration of motoring through the decades.
Making a dust extractor
Mini cyclone and vacuum systems are a workshop essential that will help to keep the peace.
Motorbike restoration: Restoring a 1952 AJS – part nine
Problems aplenty for Peter again in this instalment, but he soldiers on regardless – if at first you don’t succeed… The kickstarter splines give him big issues, and there is the oil supply, the gearbox, and some tin panels to attend to. Now, did that engine start or not?
Restoring vintage radios
Radios once connected us to the world, much like the internet does today. For children of that era, radios had a magical quality that captivated our imaginations for decades. We were enchanted by the sounds, mysteries, and beauty of valve radios. Meet Peter Walsham, a lifelong fan and dedicated saviour of these gems.
The John Britten Museum: A fitting tribute
The John Britten story is now part of Kiwi folklore. A bloke in a shed with skills and passion who takes on the world and wins. Ritchie Wislon gives us insights into the man, what he created, and visits the new museum dedicated to this much-missed Kiwi legend.
Woodworking: Learn the art of Marquetry
Centuries ago, trade guilds regulated the apprenticeship and training of skilled craftsmen. Once trained, these artisans travelled across various European countries to ply their trade. One such craft is marquetry, and Ed Prince demonstrates how to create your own pieces using this ancient and delicate woodworking technique. With simple tools, you can make some surprisingly easy and beautiful examples of marquetry
Off the grid: Downscaling – but not slowing down
‘…do not go gentle into that goodnight’ (Dylan Thomas). Murray decides it's time to sell the family keeler, but not at all the time to back off on his projects and activities. Downsizing is not necessarily an ending, but new beginnings elsewhere.
The Shed Shrink: The thrill of the chase
Our shrink tells us that working on projects and restoring old objects benefits us in many ways. It's pretty amazing to find that dream barn find, and then have the opportunity to spend weeks, months, or even years enjoying your shed time, bringing it back to as new.
Templates and Jigs: Applied workshop wisdom, designed to repeat
This is part two of a series on understanding and using templates and jigs in your workshop projects. You may also be very surprised to discover what constitutes a jig among your array of tools.
Hear that whistle blowing
The Bay of Islands Vintage Railway in Kawakawa is a national treasure, operated by a handful of dedicated volunteers. Rare rolling stock is meticulously restored for current and future generations to enjoy, plus, there are some very exciting plans afoot for this railway’s future.
Back O The Shed: The Useful Idiot
Our The Shed magazine founder is preparing to launch a YouTube channel featuring how-to videos to accompany his own shed project, but there are a few technical details to address first.