About The Tool Contests

[nickao]

I would be a judge, but I fear my narrow view of how the contest winners should be viewed may or may not be desirable to you.

Nickao

 

[Matthew Schenker]

I would be a judge, but I fear my narrow view of how the contest winners should be viewed may or may not be desirable to you.

Actually, I think you'd be a good judge!  I never said you have a narrow view of how contest winners should be viewed.  I think your view is right on, as far as contest winners goes.  My point was that we don't need to say who is "allowed" or "not allowed" to enter the contest, since entries are simply lifted from the "Member Projects" board.  If a project qualifies for the contest, that's great.  If not, that's fine too.

So, do you want to be a judge?

Matthew

 

[Brice Burrell]

A project is that a "project" not a final pictures. I guess I must have missed his making of the project in other threads. I have not read through them all, only the newer threads.

I envisioned pics of the projects in stages showing the Festools being used in the pics.  Pictures of the final project show no details at all. I think that is the difference between a regular woodworking forum and this.

The Festool techniques I thought were an integral part of the premise of the contest. I guess I did not read the contest rules correctly.

 Nick, the way I've interpreted Matthews rules, we are looking for a project/thread that is the most exciting, entertaining, educational and just plain fun to read and participate in. If someone can achieve that without pictures documenting the construction, I have no problem with their winning the contest. Since the idea is to have a project thread that is "exciting, entertaining, educational and just plain fun to read and participate in" there is no unfair advantage to the professional woodworker.

 Its all about generating excitement in the forum, the guy that goes the extra mile to do that will have earned the prize. That's how I see anyhow.

 

[nickao]

I would be a judge, but I fear my narrow view of how the contest winners should be viewed may or may not be desirable to you.

Actually, I think you'd be a good judge!  I never said you have a narrow view of how contest winners should be viewed.  I think your view is right on, as far as contest winners goes.  My point was that we don't need to say who is "allowed" or "not allowed" to enter the contest, since entries are simply lifted from the "Member Projects" board.  If a project qualifies for the contest, that's great.  If not, that's fine too.

So, do you want to be a judge?

Matthew

Yes, I absolutely would love to be a judge!

I am the one who said I have a more narrow view, I did not want to put that on anyone else. You really are on opened minded person Matthew and thats why people like this forum!

Nickao

 

[nickao]

A project is that a "project" not a final pictures. I guess I must have missed his making of the project in other threads. I have not read through them all, only the newer threads.

I envisioned pics of the projects in stages showing the Festools being used in the pics.  Pictures of the final project show no details at all. I think that is the difference between a regular woodworking forum and this.

The Festool techniques I thought were an integral part of the premise of the contest. I guess I did not read the contest rules correctly.

  Nick, the way I've interpreted Matthews rules, we are looking for a project/thread that is the most exciting, entertaining, educational and just plain fun to read and participate in. If someone can achieve that without pictures documenting the construction, I have no problem with their winning the contest. Since the idea is to have a project thread that is "exciting, entertaining, educational and just plain fun to read and participate in" there is no unfair advantage to the professional woodworker.

  Its all about generating excitement in the forum, the guy that goes the extra mile to do that will have earned the prize. That's how I see anyhow.

I agree with all that.

But I suspect great pictures and showing the Festools in the project are going to be a great advantage to the people participating in the contest. In this day and age making something exciting without pictures will be tough.

Nickao

 

[Brice Burrell]

Nick, I couldn't agree more. I think members should look at this as tough challenge, putting together a great thread is not easy. Adding pictures, SketchUp models, video, detailed descriptions of the build and throw in a little how-to info is a good way to get started. I really feel like members should have to earn the prize!

Matthew, if you want another judge, I'd happy to do it.

 

[semenza]

Hi,

     I think it is absolutely necessary for the judges to state clearly why they chose the winner.  This will give insentive for others to improve there entries.

Seth

 

[nickao]

I think Brice pretty much has what he is looking for in a winner among a few of his requirements stated below coincide with many of mine: pictures, SketchUp models, video, detailed descriptions of the build and throw in a little how-to info is a good way to get started. I really feel like members should have to earn the prize

 

[The Dude]

I don't mean to keep coming back to this, I really want to get more kids involved in woodworking.  The PS2, X-Box, etc have taken them away from many of the activities that we enjoyed in our youth...perhaps leading us to one of the most rewarding hobbies that there is.

Furthermore, FestoolUSA has a school buying program that allows substantial discounts for educational facilities.  With school programs cutting dough away from the Wood Class, what a better way to size down a shop, and begin teaching the techniques and methods of work that one uses in a smaller shop environment.

I like Brice's suggestions as to design as well....also taught and incorporated in the classroom.  Whether or not the school has Festool is irrelevant.  The purpose of the School Contest would be to get the FT name out there, and perhaps generate buzz around "Shop Teachers."

2 more cents!!

Timmy

 

[nickao]

Timmy I once tried to donate my time and tools to the school here in town. I also offered to help the city with its park structures using  highshool kids to do the work and teach them about tools and safety while doing community service. I even asked the pastor at the church if anyone need help with a project and I would use kids to help in that too.

I was shot down on all accounts. For some reason the schools and other organizations are just paying tradesman, but do not want to encourage any of the trades. I was told either there were insurance concerns or they just did not have time for another project.

It is frustrating that so many adults do not consider working with your hands a benefit to the kids. I think it is just as important as any music program, which they constantly battle to keep here.

Nickao

 

[Matthew Schenker]

Nick, I couldn't agree more. I think members should look at this as tough challenge, putting together a great thread is not easy. Adding pictures, SketchUp models, video, detailed descriptions of the build and throw in a little how-to info is a good way to get started. I really feel like members should have to earn the prize!

Matthew, if you want another judge, I'd happy to do it.

Sounds just about right!  OK, so now we have four judges: Brice, Jonny, Nick, and me.

      I think it is absolutely necessary for the judges to state clearly why they chose the winner.  This will give insentive for others to improve there entries.

Of course, that's why I like the idea of creating an open discussion about it in the "Tool Contests" board.  Members can put out their ideas about their favorites, and we can have a friendly discussion about the merits of the various projects.  In the end, the judges make a decision, and describe what went into their decision.  It does not have to be overly formal -- just a discussion like the ones we always have here in the FOG.  Members can pick up project tips from the discussion.  The next month, we start it up again.  A project that "almost wins" in May might be a top candidate in June, July...!
Matthew

 

[Matthew Schenker]

I don't mean to keep coming back to this, I really want to get more kids involved in woodworking.  The PS2, X-Box, etc have taken them away from many of the activities that we enjoyed in our youth...perhaps leading us to one of the most rewarding hobbies that there is.

...I like Brice's suggestions as to design as well....also taught and incorporated in the classroom.  Whether or not the school has Festool is irrelevant.  The purpose of the School Contest would be to get the FT name out there, and perhaps generate buzz around "Shop Teachers."

I'm fine with that.  My only requirement is that somehow the entries appear in the forum.
Matthew

 

[greg mann]

Sounds just about right!  OK, so now we have four judges: Brice, Jonny, Nick, and me.

Matt, I love you but you can't count very well. You have Five! :

 

[mhch]

Nick, I very much agree with you on the need for ongoing pictures as a project is being built. My guess is that we will also have many people submitting projects that are already done with their Festools and may not have progress shots. So the upshot, IMHO, is that we are going to have a combination of both ongoing and just final pics.

Well, at least a description of how project was designed and built. I remember
that large conference table project by Jerry Work who provided lots of detail
(with pics) on how it was built. That seems a very good example of what
a description could be from a professional (or so),

 

[Matthew Schenker]

Sounds just about right!  OK, so now we have four judges: Brice, Jonny, Nick, and me.

Matt, I love you but you can't count very well. You have Five! :

Oh, right, five: Brice, Jonny, Greg, Nick, and Me.

Matthew

 

[tvgordon]

I'm glad we are getting the details narrowed down for this contest.  I think the five judges are good choices.  Would Christian or Shane be interested in being a part of the judging as they are supplying the tools to the winners?

I like Brice's idea of setting up something in the photography section on posting pictures for beginners.  I've done many projects but have never tried to post a picture.

John, I realize you said MOST members can buy the tools they want.  I just wanted to point out that there are at least of couple of us that can't.  Of course, I didn't consider selling my wife's stuff.  Hmmm,  I'll have to take a look around the house later.

Nick, glad to see you are posting again and going to be one of the judges. 

Tom.

 

[nickao]

Thanks, I am under a deadline for April 30th and after staying up the entire weekend the client gave me until the May 9th. If I only would have know this Friday. Anyhow I got a lot done.

Nick

 

[joraft]

I'm glad we are getting the details narrowed down for this contest.  I think the five judges are good choices ... 

Tom, I'm happy with the way things are going too. It's almost a certainty that there will some disagreement over a winner at some point. I was concerned that would be a heavy burden on just one judge, or even two. The larger the panel of judges, the more the onus is spread around. And yes, the judges so far seem like great choices, five very different personalities.

John, I realize you said MOST members can buy the tools they want.  I just wanted to point out that there are at least of couple of us that can't. 

I've been there many times myself, Tom. Building a good tool collection is a lifetime endeavor, which is obviously easier during the good times than the bad. Buy the best when you can, take good care of it, and eventually you'll have the collection you want. It doesn't have to be done in a hurry (maybe a little faster if you're as old as I am). Many of my favorite tools I have had for nearly thirty years.

Of course, winning a few tools in contests wouldn't hurt either. 

John

 

[joraft]

John, that is truly thoughtful and I am sure that the caring part you are showing by leaving a little spot for her bike will build you many browny points.  : If this all works for you please let me and the rest of the board know about it as I can only think that your wife must be a mail-order non English speaking woman to actually tolerate this.  Fred

Fred, my wife speaks English very well (and constantly), and isn't known for her tolerance. She can also be quite dangerous when provoked.

If I should suddenly disappear from this forum, you'll know something went terribly wrong with my plan. 

John

 

[10digit]

I agree that it would be unlikely that us hobbyist woodworkers could win against the likes of the pros who also belong to this group.  Oh well, such is life!  But did you folks know that the Woodwhisperer has a monthly contest sponsored by Festool that gives away a tool each month for answering a simple question about one of their products.  The answers are easily obtained by looking through the Festool product literature or watching one of their videos.  So there is a random giveway each month that rewards persistence.  Just thought I'd share...(LOL)

PS>  Here is the link to his site:  http://thewoodwhisperer.com
Marc Spagnuolo (aka the Woodwhisperer) is highly entertaining and tells it like it is.