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This is a call out to listeners to respond to a few questions about the future of contests on The Sawdust Chronicles.
Please send your responses via email to thesawdustchronicles@gmail.com
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I think announcing the project ahead of time will boost the participation. That is if its a project that gets peoples attention. The fact that it was a mystery for my on the first one made it fun and the fact that its just beginners was encouraging. But I don’t know how many times I would want to commit to an unknown project. Many contestants might be prone to drop out when they discover they don’t want the project.
agree with that; however, I understand the “marketing” reasons behind keeping it a secret, but if the project is interesting enough, you won’t have a problem getting people involved and sponsors happy.
I *think* that part of the reason for keeping the project secret was so that it was a complete project done in the time frame. It pretty much guaranteed that all the work was done in that time.
I understand what you’re saying about whether or not you’d be interested in the project, however, doing it this way means that no one got a head start on any of designing, building, tool purchasing, etc.
Just my $0.02 worth
New to the contest idea, but sounds fun. I’m self taught and have been building various things for several years now. My latest project was a mission style activity table for my son. You can see a picture of it here: http://aimingarrows.wordpress.com/2009/05/27/train-table/
All that to say – don’t know if I qualify, but am quite interested. I’m capable of building furniture and have a wide range of common tools. Most exotic might be my Kregg pocket hole jig. An idea might be some unique wall-mounted shelves or a entry hall storage chest.
I liked the format of the last contest. I think for future projects, I would like not necessarily know the project, but the amount of wood one would reasonably be expected to use in the project.
Like in this project the most that could be used was 12 bdft. That would be good to know ahead of time, so that the wood could be acclimating in my shop (read garage) beforehand.
Perhaps a challenge that focuses on one’s ability to recycle scrap. (This one gave us that option but also allowed for using fresh stock.) Perhaps make it a “pallet challenge” where we round up discarded pallets or crating to make something. As much as I love playing with new wood, there’s something gratifying in pulling something beautiful and useful out of a dirty, dinged-up pile destined for firewood.
That might also open up other avenues for potential sponsorship. i.e. “Pallets and crating donated by/available at participating (_____) stores nationwide.”
Touchdown! That\’s a rlealy cool way of putting it!
Rick I will particapte again, Next time maybe build some furniture of some kind. Question, How long will we be considered beginners. There so much to learn and little time to do it. Also Idea for sponsors would be wood working magizines or video those companies sell.
Jim Lafferty
I’ll take the magazine companies into consideration. Several people have suggested them too. I guess that means that the contestants and listeners really want them to sponsor the contests. Good! That’s exactly what I want to find out!
Furniture is always an option.
On being/staying beginners: I believe you are a beginner until you believe you are not. I asked the contestants, in the entry form, to label themselves. For the most part, I believe everyone was fairly honest. I don’t think anyone can tell you that you are not a beginner, or that you are an amateur. They don’t know your limits as well as you do. Hopefully this contest has tested everyone’s limits…
While I was able to ‘finish’ this project I would rather have a little longer to complete it. 60 days would be better depending on the size and complexity of the project. I didn’t have much free time to work on this even though I spent close to 40 hours. Most of that time was milling my lumber with hand planes though. I also feel that with a little more time I could have done a nicer job instead of rushing to get it finished on time.
I would also like to echo the comments on some more details before the project starts. This way the possible contestent has a chance to decide if they want to participate or not. Some times it takes a bit of effort and cash to accumulate the lumber, and let it acclamate to your shop. Also haveing a project gives us leverage with the spouse so we can purchase that new tool we’ve been eyeing. I did purchase a new dovetail saw at deep discount even though I didn’t use it on this project. I just couldn’t pass up the deal that was presented.
Hey Rick…….one of the reasons I liked this challenge, is that it specifically addresses the beginning woodworker. I’d like to see the challenges be more of a learning experience while the challenge is on going. This would open up the communications between entrants and also enable feedback between each other. Having an “A-HaH!!” moment of design clarity is just as valuable as the completed build.
Also I’d like to see the idea of entry being emphasized as more important that who’s build is better that who’s.
The main added part though would be more open communication with a seperate challenge blog or blog page, something to discuss a design element or an approach, just thinking out loud right now.
Neil
Just had a thought – what if more experienced woodworkers were available for the beginners for advice during the build. I’m not sure how you determine it, but it might be a great way for us beginners to learn something.
I know what you mean Steve. It would be nice to have a mentor. There are some of us and maybe even many of us who have no woodworking elders to seek advice from. At least we have the internet. If I was trying to learn this 15 years ago it would have seemed like it was impossible to break into. Thats the reason I titled my blog about this build experience as Ronin Woodworking. I’m an apprentice with no master.
I guess this guys are gonna wait until the 15th to give us any details but it feels like a long time coming. I wonder how many people finished their projects?