The Rules of the 2x4 Challenge
1999 Edition
  1. The challenge is open to paid-up members of the Pacific Woodworkers Guild.
  2. A member may submit multiple entries. Entries must not have been entered in any previous 2x4 Challenge.
  3. The fee for each entry is $10 dollars. This fee can be applied against the entrant's annual membership fee.
  4. An entry can be submitted into one of three categories: novice, intermediate or expert.
  5. Novice entrants cannot have won previous novice, intermediate, or expert categories.
  6. Intermediate entrants cannot have won previous intermediate, or expert categories.
  7. Apart from rule 1, there are no entry restrictions for the expert category.
  8. For all categories, the entry must be made from a single, 8-foot length of wood, no more than 2" high by 4" wide. It is acceptable to use a nominal 2x4 (i.e. 1.5" X 3.5") and such use will not count unfairly against any entry.
  9. For all categories, the entry can be fastened using any glue and finished using any substance commonly understood to be, or can be explained to be, a wood finish.
  10. For all categories, the entry can also include one other material for decorative purposes or for a usage, which cannot be replicated with wood. This material should not be the primary focus of the entry nor should it be used in a way that makes the piece bigger by replacing a component that could normally be made of wood.
  11. In addition to rules 8, 9 and 10, intermediate and novice entries can also make use of hinges or similar article for articulating a piece.
  12. In additional to rules 8, 9 10 and 11, novice entries can also make use of fasteners to join the parts of the entries together.
  13. All entries must be submitted before the start of the meeting at which the judging will be performed. All entrants must fill-out an entry form for each entry. Entry forms will be made available before the meeting.
  14. Entries remain the property of the entrant.
  15. All entries must be brought to the meeting covered as not to disclose its identity.
  16. The members present at the meeting at which the judging will be performed will do the judging.
  17. Each entrant must present his or her entry, describing salient project details including the nature of the project, construction challenges and any fact deemed relevant by the judges.
  18. After the presentation of all the entries, there will be an opportunity for all members to examine each piece and ask specific questions of each entrant.
  19. An award will be presented to the entrant in each category whose entry collects the most votes as the best project for that category. Ties are allowed.
  20. An award will also be presented to the entrants whose entry collects the most votes for one of the following criteria. All entries are eligible for these awards.
    • Most technically challenging
    • Most outrageous project
    • Most original project
    • Most practical project
    • Best furniture piece
    • Best first-time entry
    • Most efficient use of a 2x4