2007 BT3Central 2x6 Challenge?

[Sam Conder]

I know many of you requested a 2006 2x6 Challenge and I regret that I did not conduct one. I think I've figured out an elegant and simple way to conduct one using vBulletin and was wanting to discuss it.

• What would you like to see change, if anything over the 2005 2x6C?
• What date/season would be best? I know several of our "Northernmost" members could not participate due to cold shops last time.
• Should there be a seperate "entry fee" like last time of perhaps be open to any BT3Central Patron?

Lemme hear ya!

[onedash]

Not familiar with the 2x6 challenge but as the name implies im sure its best project made from 2x6.
I think what would be better is a joinery competition. Either choose a specific type of joinery or the best combination of multiple combinations of joinery. (does gorilla glue count as a type of joinery? It is pretty strong)
You could build something pretty nice looking using all butt joints but does it challenge and improve your abilities?
I think the competition should focus less on type of wood and focus more on either a specific project or a specific type or combination of joinery to complet a project. What do you think?

[crokett]

Sam,

I'd make it the May/June timeframe.
Make it open to any Patron, since AFIK the entry fee goes toward the BT3Central general fund anyway.

[Black wallnut]

I also think May/ June would be a suitable time frame. I'd like to see three classes 2x6 flat work, 2x6 turned, 4bf max hardwood open, with first place prizes in all three catagories and top overall voted on by the membership; with weight given to the 2x6 entrants by requiring the hardwood entrants to get 15% more votes to win top prize. I.e. if a 2x6 entry gets 500 votes, the harwood entry would have to get 576 total votes to win. MY thinking is that it is much harder to construct a diamond from humble fir construction grade lumber than it is to do the same with hardwood. Rules similar to last one limiting other materials and hardware to $20.

Perhaps as last time you could get some sponsors for prizes. Entry should be granted to any patron.

[Sam Conder]

...with first place prizes in all three catagories and top overall voted on by the membership; with weight given to the 2x6 entrants by requiring the hardwood entrants to get 15% more votes to win top prize. I.e. if a 2x6 entry gets 500 votes, the harwood entry would have to get 576 total votes to win....

Well, you blew the "simple" part of my plan out of the water!

[Stytooner]

We can make this as complicated or as simple as wanted. We pretty much took it on faith that only one 2x6 was used last time. I also think that just softwood is pretty limiting as to both types of projects and types of joinery used.
I think some guys may also no be tooled up enough to mill down a 2x6. Therefore I think that a 8 board foot limit be placed on the competition. You can still buy an oak or maple walnut 2x6. This would let more members participate. The entries would have to show dimensions of the final project if asked. I like the idea also of guys doing a photo journal of the build.

[Russianwolf]

I don't think the entry fee was a discouragement in any way last time and think it should be in force this time also. I know if I didn't put a fee into the pit, I wouldn't feel right about getting a prize (not that I have a chance to win anyway)

Sam, I thought the format last time was fine in most respects, but maybe additional limits on what tools can be used in each class. The spirals on the legs of Jaywood's table were very nice, but not everyone has access to the tools that can do this.

[Russianwolf]

We can make this as complicated or as simple as wanted. We pretty much took it on faith that only one 2x6 was used last time. I also think that just softwood is pretty limiting as to both types of projects and types of joinery used.
I think some guys may also no be tooled up enough to mill down a 2x6. Therefore I think that a 4 board foot limit be placed on the competition. You can still buy an oak or maple walnut 2x6. This would let more members participate. The entries would have to show dimensions of the final project if asked. I like the idea also of guys doing a photo journal of the build.

A 2*6*96 is 8 BF, so why have a 4 BF limit on hardwoods?

[crokett]

Mike, there will be an entry fee - it is called donating to the forum.

I also like your point about the turned legs on the table. I think if there are any turned portions it goes in the turned category. Flatwork has to be all flatwork, or at the very least no turning tools used in the making.

[Russianwolf]

Mike, there will be an entry fee - it is called donating to the forum.

.

So it would be open to all patrons, not all members. For some reason I was reading member instead of patron in the other posts. My fault.

[ChongoChingi]

Does anyone have pictures from the last contest? Some of us are new here and would like to see what your talking about?

[Stytooner]

Wouldn't they become a Patron by participating?

[Stytooner]

Does anyone have pictures from the last contest? Some of us are new here and would like to see what your talking about?

http://www.bt3central.com/forumdisplay.php?f=29

[Sam Conder]

Wouldn't they become a Patron by participating?

Perzactly!

My question was this:

If I put, say a $10 entry fee, should EXISTING patrons have to pay the additional $10, or should they get a "free entry" since they have already contributed to the site. This is an extension of the fundraiser, so there will be an entry fee of some sort...

[Black wallnut]

A 2*6*96 is 8 BF, so why have a 4 BF limit on hardwoods?

Methinks it would somewhat level the playing field. Making a usable piece of furniture with a 2x6 construction grade softwood stud is difficult, as is only using 4bf of hardwood. The origional challenge was to make a diamond from a chunk of coal. With that in mind I feel that those that do so should have an edge over those that start with better stock.