The new machine will work alongside the existing one, which members said was becoming less effective, to clear wood shavings and dust as members work on projects.
Men’s Shed co-ordinator Jenny Hull said the donation of the more-than-$300 machine baffled members.
‘‘We approached Matt Hawker and asked what the cost of one would be, when another member went in to pay for it, he just gave it to us,’’ she said.
‘‘It’s a considerable amount and so we’re absolutely over the moon with it.’’
The new extractor is portable and so can be moved around the shed to different machines as required when members are working on community or personal projects.
It comes as the group is looking to pique the community’s interest and gain members for the social side of the group and strengthen numbers.
Currently, the group is averaging six people attending, with the lowest being three — which members believe is due to the hot weather.
‘‘We’re not desperate for members but we are starting to get very concerned,’’ member Laurie Eastlake said.
‘‘The shed is particularly well set up and a lot of members know how to use the machinery — we can do custom framing, repairing and restoring furniture and members can work on their own projects too.’’
‘‘You can expect to have fun, it’s not a old person’s organisation and so we’re looking for numbers — both men and women,’’ Jenny said.
The group also congratulated Joan Jenkins for winning the Christmas raffle of a barrow filled with potting mix and a $25 Temptation Living and Landscapes voucher.
The Rochester Men’s Shed will be holding a barbecue lunch on February 21 for prospective members to visit the shed, located behind REDHS.
For information, call Jenny on 0400076069.