MAY 2008: MFK 700 Modular Router

[Matthew Schenker]

Everyone,
Let's start our first monthly tool contest!

This month's category:
Member projects.  Any project posted in the Member Projects board or the Adult/Child Projects board are automatically entered in the contest.

This month's prize:
MFK 700 modular router.  The winner will be announced on May 31. 

This month's judges:
Brice Burrell
jonny round boy
greg mann
nickao
Matthew Schenker

For a complete description of how the contest works (and member discussion of contests in general) click here.

We have lots of amazing projects in the forum, so it will be really tough to pick a winner.  But let's start the discussion.  Everyone, tell the judges what you think.  Judges, say what's on your minds!  In the end, let's see who the judges pick.

Remember, the point is to inspire and encourage people.  And if you don't win this month, don't worry -- you are automatically entered again next month.

Matthew

 

[nickao]

Good luck guys!

 

[John Langevin]

Loose the hounds!

 

[Matthew Schenker]

Everyone,
Since this is the first of many contests, we should all remain patient with the process and learn from it.  We have all month to discuss and debate.

Before posting judgments, we should all take some time to look over all the projects that have been submitted in the projects boards.  That's part of the fun -- looking over all the great projects that have been put up in the FOG todate.

Matthew

 

[AHoman]

I'm not sure whether we're supposed to do this in this thread, but after reviewing many of my favorites, I wish to draw the judges attention to this project:http://festoolownersgroup.com/index.php?topic=1794.0
I guess it's a kind of nomination.
Thanks,
Andy

 

[Matthew Schenker]

Andy,
Yes, that's the way it works.  Members can nominate their favorites, and we'll get into a discussion about it, ultimately choosing a winner.
Matthew

 

[Brice Burrell]

After spending  some time looking over the projects section I've found only a few (from North Americans) that, as is, are good candidates for the contest. I like what the following members have done with their projects:

~Bill Wyko, Unconventional use of my Domino to make a slide lock.

~Charles Wilson, slide together/apart bookcase and Media Storage Cabinet

~Emmanual, New Kitchen

~Overtime, DomiDrawers Revisited

There are a number of projects that I liked, however, if members went back to add more info, pics and details of the build, their threads might be a lot more fun to read.

~Eiji F, Entry doors with side lites, I know he is working on adding details, I think he is on the right track.

~Gary Nichols, Fixed-Louvers with Domino or What I Didn't Do This Spring, if he did the project I'd really like to see it.

~Woodgeek, integral table with help from Festool

~Mot, rocking horse for Christmas

~Dan Rush, Whitehall rowing boat

~Bill Wyko, Humidor

 

[Matthew Schenker]

Brice,
Great list!  I definitely agree on those.  I'm still reviewing the projects to form my short list (difficult job with all the great projects we have in there).

By the way, one forum feature that really comes in handy at times like this is the ability to sort posts in a board by the originator.  Just click on "Started by" at the top of the 4th column.

I'll try to post my list of favorites later today.

Matthew

 

[nickao]

I think these three projects warrant top consideration for the monthly contest, they are:

1) Re: Entry Doors with side lites - Doors with side lites

2) Re: Domino Z Chair -  Z chair

3) Re: Krenov style Cabinet - Krenov style cabinet

Please add your nominations here in this thread - All found in the member projects area.

Maybe only the nominations themselves should be listed here and the discussions for each project under the appropriate thread(the project thread).

These are only three of the many that do warrant consideration. Please do not feel left out if I did not nominate your project this month. I may have simply overlooked it or forgotten about it. I just wanted to get a discussion going. Nominate a project in this thread and the bring it to the judges attention if you want to make sure a certain project is looked at carefully enough.

Thoughts?

Fred who are you nominating? Lets get this ball rolling.

Any nominations from the other judges?

Nickao

 

[greg mann]

Nickao,

I think Rob McGilp (Krenov Cabinet) is in Australia which, unfortunately, makes him ineligible. I think I have this right.

 

[nickao]

Yes, it is ineligible to get the prize, but I still think the recognition if he wins is worth something and then the next American in line gets the prize if he were to come in first. If everyone hates that idea I will pull it, but I think it should stay up.

I just do not like excluding his project as it's is so nice. And excluding the other countries projects from even getting discussed just seems wrong as this is really about the woodworking and not the prize to me.

Nickao

 

[mhch]

excluding the other countries projects from even getting discussed just seems wrong as this is really about the woodworking and not the prize to me.

This is a very good idea which seems to satisfy both Festool USA constraints
and the basic need for recognition that all worldwide FOG forum members are looking
for when describing ideas and projects.

It would be against this basic psychological law to exclude non American projects
from the competition, which in turn could lead to foreigners to loose some interest
in the forum.

 

[greg mann]

No problems with your logic, guys. I also think it is a worthy project, but I don't want anyone to be misled about the possibility for an outright win and subsequent reward. I personally love the international participation here as it broadens the knowledge base considerably. It would be nice if the contest could also be international but at least in terms of the prize it isn't, at least for now. Hopefully we can find a way around that in the future.

 

[johne]

I just do not like excluding his project as it's is so nice. And excluding the other countries projects from even getting discussed just seems wrong as this is really about the woodworking and not the prize to me.

Nice idea, I like the way you think.

 

[nickao]

Greg - I just added a 4th project

Maybe when someone nominates an out of country project we can just make a note right there at the beginning of the post that it is NOT eligible for a prize because it is out of country. Then the member who submitted and everyone else will be reminded. It is in the rules.

I just do not want someone not discussing or dismissing a project because it can not win a physical prize, due to a rule we have to live with, but not like.

Thanks johne, these foreigners do nice nice work, eh!

I am waiting for more nominations!

So far I have:

1) Re: Entry Doors with side lites - Doors with side lites

2) Re: Domino Z Chair -  Z chair

3) Re: Krenov style Cabinet - Krenov style cabinet - Out of country, no physical prize eligibility but a lot of respect from the FOG

4) Re: Just another Red Gum table -  I believe this is Out of country, no physical prize eligibility but a lot of respect from the FOG - Correct me if I am wrong

You can go to these respective threads and add comments to each on the better points of the projects. Lets keep the criticism to a minimum and maybe gently nudge, if we see something that may be improved upon. There are many more pros than cons in any of these four projects for sure.

Nickao

 

[Qwas]

I would like to nominate Frank Pellow for the Bi plane Shelves. It's a simple project but it brought lots of Ohs and Ahs from the FOG.

 

[nickao]

I liked it for sure! I ill be making that this summer with the kids.

 

[semenza]

Hi,

      I think if non US and Canada entries are going to be allowed, then the judges / Matthew need to amend the rules.  Not saying that it is a bad idea, but as it currently stands this is the rule "The contest is open only to FOG members from Canada and the USA."    Nothing is stated about entering but not being eligible for the prize.  The recognition for a non US Canada entry would be great , but on the flip side how does that make the prize winner feel?  "well , I only won it because so and so the real winner is from Europe".   

    Also there is now more than one nomination / entry thread.  I see this as becoming haphazard right from the start.  The whole idea of a casual discussion is fine, but at least a certain level of organisation  , along with  The Rules Are The Rules. needs to be paid attention to.

Seth 

 

[nickao]

Seth, now this is where I say, what is the big deal?

I would think any over seas person that happened to win would say to themselves "see those know it all Americans suck at everything" .

I for one am not going to dismiss the excellent projects by non USA members. They all know they are not considered for a prize well enough  and the rules do NOT have to be amended. The idea is that it is HONORARY.

You know what, unless Mathew says no I will give the winner, if the winner is out of the USA, a Festool banner. See, now they get a prize. And the first American after them can get the tool ie., the actual winner.

I am not running scared from the non USA members. It seems to me we are playing chicken if we do not at least compare their projects to ours on the same level.

I think the HONOR of winning outweighs any animosity that could occur. I also would think they would be more offended by not being included at all.
Only they can answer that. Anyone out of the USA please comment, am I way off base here. I hate excluding anyone.

Seth I love your posts and love your work! This is not aimed at you, but the idea. Which had to come up from someone anyway. Lets hash this out now early in the month.

I know they can not win a prize from Festool for this contest. I still think they should be included in any discussion of the best project. We Americans are going to kick their butts anyway! ;D

Nickao

 

[johne]

Would it be an idea to include everyone in the competition and if a non US FOG member wins, give the prize to a school or some organization that needs it.
That way no ones feelings get hurt. Matthew, the judges and festool can decide who the prize goes to.

just a thought.