The idea being set loose here is a hobby or crafts level woodworking shop set up in a truck or bus, so that it can be moved from place to place.
My folks recently moved to an assisted living complex. A great place where most everything is taken care of for the the people that live there; something like being on a cruise all the time but without the glitz. Life is stable and well cared for, based on routine. To break up the routine, of course, there are hand crafts programs and such but there are no programs for the guys who used to do things like work on their cars or make things from wood. My Dad really misses his woodworking tools.
Thinking about having a woodshop at an assisted living place, it was easy to pile up reasons against it. Dangerous tools, wood dust, and fire hazards just to name a few. But it reminded me of back in rural grade school days when a fellow would come around with a stepvan full of tools and woodworking materials. Once a week, this fellow would come around and set up in a crafts area at the school so that we students could have some quality time with woodworking.
Perhaps it would be possible to mount up a portable woodshop to go around to these assisted living centers!
Hauling the tools out to the crafts room might work, but another approach might be to build a shop into a truck or bus chassis. The tools don't have to be monsters. Mostly it's hand tools, clamps, and vices that are needed.
If larger powertools are needed then maybe computer controlled tools would be the way to go. Going that route would solve for safety and help with cleanliness too as they usually operate in enclosures and/or do some cleaning up was they work.
But the main necessities are some wood and hand tools. Maybe some progject patterns or pattern-making tools, and a little paint? Happy times on wheels.
Maybe it would be possible to extend this to the guys who liked to work on metal or cars too? Not as likely... but maybe. Something like a high school auto shop, with a designated project car? It's worth some thought.
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