2021 2x4 Challenge
Our meeting to be held March 10, 2021 will be our annual 2X4 Challenge. To get more people involved in the 2 X 4 challenge, the following changes to the challenge are being made;
ANY SPECIES OF WOOD CAN BE USED IN THE CHALLENGE!
In the past we restricted the wood to being 95% coniferous species. Given the increasing price in lumber, it was felt that some members may not be willing to spend the money and time to create a piece that they would may be proud of because of the materials it was made from, so it was decided to open the challenge to any type of wood that you wish to use. This means the options are endless, and yes, you can use multiple species if you choose, BUT 95% of the material in the piece must be wood.
THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF ALL MATERIALS USED MUST BE NO MORE THAN THE VOLUME OF A PIECE OF WOOD MEASURING 2 INCHES BY 4 INCHES BY 96 INCHES OR 768 CUBIC INCHES
In the past the maximum volume was a standard 8 foot dimensional 2 X 4, or 1.5” X 3.5” X 96” or 504 cubic inches. This year the amount of materials you can use has increased to 768 cubic inches. This does not mean that the largest piece of wood used is 2” X 4” X ??”, you just cannot go over the 768 cubic inch requirement. (i.e. if you want to use a block of wood measuring 6” X 8” X 16”, this would be acceptable)
YOUR PIECE HAS TO SOMEHOW INCORPORATE THIS YEAR’S THEME - “SOMETHING HIDDEN”
We have heard some people say they would like to participate, but are at a loss as to what to create. We are hoping that by giving a theme, the creative juices will start flowing and more people will participate. To get you thinking, some examples of something hidden could be (and this is of course by no means an all-inclusive list):
Half blind dovetail
Hidden compartment
Optical illusion
Marquetry on the inside
Special feature that is not immediately obvious (you have to look for it)
How to Participate
To participate in the challenge, your piece must be completed between now and the March meeting. As the meeting will in all likelihood be conducted virtually, please send 5-10 photos of your work to Doug Drury before March 8, 2021 along with a description of your piece and how it meets the theme of something hidden. The photos do not necessarily have to be just of the finished piece, they could be of the piece as it is being built, or what gave inspiration to the piece. At the meeting, you will have 5-10 minutes to present your piece as the pictures are shared with the group.
We will do a poll of the entries at the end of the meeting to pick a winner.
We look forward seeing what everyone creates!
The log-in information to join the March zoom meeting will be distributed at a later date.
2017 Entry by Bill Maniotakis - Cedar Kumiko Shoji Screen
2018 Entry by Don Smillie - Spruce and Walnut Transport Trucks and Cars
2017 Entry from Matt Smith - Cedar Strip Lamp