Here are the results of the 1999 2x4 Challenge, held in April 1999.

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Myrmaccano (Lathe) - Marco Berera

If showmanship alone was the basis for a strong entry, Marco Berera need only show up for the prize. But coupled with strength of execution, he presents a deadly combination.

His entry this year was a delightfully presented model of a foot powered treadle lathe. Boxed in a carton labeled as a creation by MYRMACCANO was a collection of beautifully made and brilliantly coloured components to his lathe. A detailed numbered instruction set aided the builder in assembling the multitude of sub-components of the lathe. Parts fit together with a size-to-size "snap". Any and every fastener required was made from the original maple 2x4, including nuts and washers which were cross-grain laminated from thin strips to assure strength and ability to hold a thread. The spanner used to tighten fittings was also made up as part of the kit. The fly wheel, tail stock screw, and head stock mandrel were beautiful turnings in their own right. Marco told us that his wife was a widow to this year's project for only 190 hours.

Oak Clothing - Art Liestman

An entertaining moment was provided by a fashion show featuring the 'Oak Couture' of Art Liestman's entry.

Based on a zillion (1600 really) rings steam bent from thin strips of oak Art created a chain mail vest known as a Hauberk (modeled by the designer) and an Oak shop apron (modeled by the devine Lou Hafer). Adding to the list of creations was a sophisticated oak necklace also demonstrated by the designer. The flexibility of the medium was shown by a number of springy cat toys, single rings, that danced on the table when dropped from a height.

Art proudly told us of his foray into household appliances as woodworking tools by using the gas range and a wok in creating the hundreds of thin walled rings formed into pieces of plastic drain pipe to cold form. Full marks for fun and invention.

Briefcase - Phil Laliberte

Phil Laliberte's expert entry made of spalted beech was an exciting executive briefcase. The colour was sensational. Again, Phil used the computer to maximize material utilisation yielding three pieces 1/2" dressed material and eight pieces 1/4" material. The briefcase featured box joint construction, wooden hinges, a movable wooden handle and, marvel of marvels, a wooden combination lock responding to the code 2x4x96. Experience with combination locks and aware that access to the mechanism was mandatory for combination changes, Phil created a removable dovetail key locked bulkhead. During construction Phil made a steel dowel plate to make the round dowels he needed from square stock. To demonstrate the ruggedness of his finish made up of 10 coats Minwax and 1 coat beeswax, Phil assured us that the final product had been garden hose tested. Phil has created a marvel that will be both useful and a delight to own.

Peasant Chair - Fred Otte

The expert entries were led off by Fred Ott lifting a big box onto the display surface. Fred said he chose the big box because he "thought it might impress somebody". What was in the box did that all by itself.

Fred made a replica of a peasant's chair popular from 1780 to 1790 ("Being a peasant, I made one too"). Made of a rough poplar 2x4 originating in 100 Mile House, the sturdy little chair featured a well executed carved knot design on its back. Using a 1/8" blade, he ripped the 2x4 into 7/8' thick material on the band saw. Defects such as knots were removed and left as negative spaces in the carving on the chair back. A clear varathane finish let the marvelous character of the wood speak for itself.

Stool - Denis Reid

Denis Reid's entry began life as Denis' desire to use his newly acquired morticing tool and a hand screwbox. The result was a three-legged adjustable height shop stool made from maple that was reminiscent of a classical piano stool.

The design was worked out on paper to maximize material usage and to develop the cutting list. Denis told us he had to take the morticing tool apart to accomplish the deeper mortices. The three legged design was chosen to give a no-tip end product but the nesting of support rings and adjustments for thread entry in two planes presented a variety of challenges during construction. Denis finished the stool with 6 coats of wax and recommends that the wax be applied prior to glue-up whenever possible. End result: good lines and very useful.

Trucks - Lor Pellet

Lor Pellet kept on trucking, making the transition from last year's toy train entry to a series of three well executed toy trucks. The first shown was a Model T delivery truck that was faithful to the original. The second was a more fanciful and colourful "Pickup from the Past". This toy was one that had great eye appeal and would be a treat to play with. Lor's third unit started out as an armoured car but was successfully customized into a Hummer. Very creative work.

Jewelry Box - Dan Lemire

Dan Lemire presented an interesting study in design as an evolutionary process with the next step heavily influenced by the results of the step proceeding it. Dan's entry consisted of a beautiful free-form four drawer box and a turned-pedestal tray for jewelry.

Dan began by cutting his 2x4 into lengths to glue up into a box. Then he started the evolution of the design. A curved cutoff from was one side was glued onto the opposite side. Similarly the cutoff from the back was applied to the top to create a flared horn effect. A wandering band saw blade on the front created the next design feature. Using a Timber Wolf 3/32" band saw blade three hours were spent cutting the four drawers free in a series of saw, stop, breath, saw, stop, breath sequences. The drawer interiors were sanded, buffed, and oiled the assembly the box commenced. Dan thinks his "killer App" is the finish on the box. He is right, you do just want to reach out and touch it.

MacIntosh Chair - Bob Caffrey

Bob Caffrey started to the show off by unveiling the completed version of last year's work in progress. His MacIntosh chair looked great complete with a deep black stain and neutral ivory-toned seat cushion. Bob told us of the difficulty he experienced with getting a black finish. Black aniline dye looked more navy blue so Bob used a black barbecue paint instead. He got a deeper black but it was flat. He resolved that by adding a lacquer top coat then waxing to achieve depth.