Do we need

[LarryG]

I tend to agree. It was called the 2 by 6 challenge. It is challenging to make something from one.

Actually, the one-and-only (so far) BT3Central 2x6 Challenge was an adaptation of the contests various woodworking clubs have done for years, in which the material is limited to an eight-foot-long 2x4. The point is exactly what you said: to challenge the woodworker to show his stuff using the humblest piece of wood in a lumberyard as his starting point. When the idea was first floated here, after some discussion the board size was increased to a 2x6. I don't remember the reason but I don't recall any serious objections since it did not materially change the spirit and intent of the contest.

However, I have to disagree (speaking only as an interested observer: I won't be able to enter) about throwing it open to any wood species. Projects made of more expensive hardwoods are going to have aesthetic and finishing advantages over lowly softwoods that will be hard for judges to ignore, no matter how hard they try. Rod and his beloved MDF aside, stipulating the use of ordinary construction lumber will make the competition more about the woodworker and less about the materials.

[Stytooner]

I can see your point, Larry, but then it would be more about finding that perfect piece of lumber that has been stored and dried properly and is just the right grain pattern and knots spaced exactly where they need to be. Different parts of this Country has a variety of different woods and qualities of them offered as lumber. It could also be argued that since one might have an oak beam in one's home, that it may be construction material. Glue lams are also construction material.
Even just narrowing down the species to pine, there are many different types of that and they are not available everywhere. SYP is altogether different from Ponderosa pine or Lodgepole. This discussion also came up in the original challenge as well IIRC.

As for materials like figured woods, that may or may not have a lot to do with the finished product. It depends on how they are used.
The intent is to get Members to participate. I think many more are likely to do so if we do not define the type of wood, but rather the amount of it.
It is disgustingly hard to turn some pine lumber BTW.

[LarryG]

And some excellent points in return, Lee.

By "construction lumber" I meant what Lowe's calls "Top Choice" and whatever the equivalent is at Home Depot or Menard's. Stud material, basically. But you're right, there can be some variation in species and quality from one region to another. I would not be surprised if the local woodworking clubs that hold these contests specify where the material is to be purchased, or even go so far as to buy and distribute it. Obviously that's something an online discussion group cannot do.

As I said I won't be able to enter so I'm just thinking aloud here. I do think keeping the rules and categories as simple as possible is the way to go.

[dbhost]

I can see your point, Larry, but then it would be more about finding that perfect piece of lumber that has been stored and dried properly and is just the right grain pattern and knots spaced exactly where they need to be. Different parts of this Country has a variety of different woods and qualities of them offered as lumber. It could also be argued that since one might have an oak beam in one's home, that it may be construction material. Glue lams are also construction material.
Even just narrowing down the species to pine, there are many different types of that and they are not available everywhere. SYP is altogether different from Ponderosa pine or Lodgepole. This discussion also came up in the original challenge as well IIRC.

As for materials like figured woods, that may or may not have a lot to do with the finished product. It depends on how they are used.
The intent is to get Members to participate. I think many more are likely to do so if we do not define the type of wood, but rather the amount of it.
It is disgustingly hard to turn some pine lumber BTW.

Lee, Funny you should mention turning pine.... Stupid me has actually tried it. SYP isn't terrible, but it has a BAD tendency to gum up the turning tools. I have to keep a rag and a bottle of alcohol handy to clean the pitch off...

[Black wallnut]

I wanted the inclusion of hardwoods chiefly because the demensional fir or hem/fir construction grade lumber available around here is so wet as to introduce warping as soon as it is cut. The stuff simply is not stable. 4 bf of hardwood is less wood than a 2x6x8'. However the material choice does not matter to me in as much as the purpose is to raise the needed funds. Whatever works to get us the most entries works for me. I'll start another poll later today. I'd like to have everything finalized by 2-28 so the contest can run the entire month of March. Judging in the first week of April.

[dbhost]

I hadn't considered warpage with the construction grade stuff. I have lots of it on my racks, and it is good and dry by now... 4 bd/ft? Doable.

Are you thinking one species, or can it be a mixture?

[master53yoda]

I made this from pine 2"x6s i can't enter it is already done. but you can make decent stuff from cheap lumber.. I'll never make another item like this from pine though it is way to soft.

[Black wallnut]

Early voting returns are evenly split! Returns are very low compared to views. We need some feedback folks. Tell us how we can reach our funding goal.

[Stytooner]

You might want to contact Brian Holbren.
He started a thread recently wanting to do something like this again.

http://www.bt3central.com/showthread.php?t=51248

[Holbren]

You can count me in for $300 worth of stuff I sell or can get.

[pelligrini]

That's very generous, thank you Brian!

[bfrikken]

Any updates on this. I've been hanging around this site for quite a while now. Mostly I lurk and try to keep up as my free time has been taken up by my three little kids. Outside of the little turning I've been doing and some help on projects I do with my father-in-law, I'm sort of out of the woodworking practice.

However, the original 2x6 challenge was quite cool, and I always wished another was done. Now that it seems it has enough steam to be put together, I'm hoping it doesn't fizzle out
I've even started researching how to put a "plan" into action.

[Black wallnut]

As long as Sam approves the final plan we will be doing this. I am waiting for the other poll to close before announcing the rules. My hope is to have the entry page up by 1 March and then to have entries due 1 April. I would like more comments on the other poll.

[Black wallnut]

Poll is now now closed thanks for your votes.