We’re at it again – it’s Challenge time!! And we’re raising the bar again ;)
I know – you are so excited and want to know the details. You will have to wait until next week to read all about it but I can give you a sneak peek into what is going to be happening! Remember our Thorsen Table and Virtual Dining Table Challenges from last year? Well, we partnered with Popular Woodworking magazine again to bring your the best challenge ever.
This time it’s all about the bookcase – a piece of furniture that everyone uses and everyone needs. It’s a project that, more than likely, you’ve built sometime in your woodworking career.
Each serious woodworking project starts with planning and a solid design. This project should be no exception. So create your “one of a kind” bookcase design then submit the finished plans as a challenge entry. Use your favorite computer program such as Google SketchUp or other 3D/CAD software. Or, if you prefer hand drawn plans, you can submit those too. Regardless of what process you use, the design must be able to be built in a woodworking shop.
Get the Ball Rolling
To help get the ball rolling, Glen Huey, Senior Editor of PW, prepared excellent primer about the bookcase inspiration and ideas:
”To get started with this challenge, the first step is to take a look at existing bookcases for inspiration and ideas. Check out any books you have, photos you’ve collected over the past few years or look to the Internet. Below are a number of links to web sites that showcase furniture, help with design or are focused primarily on bookcases. You certainly should find a “jump-off” point to begin your design. I came away stoked to design a bookcase and I’m not allowed to enter the contest – legally that is.
Furniture Index
A searchable collection of more than 10,000 pieces of Danish furniture.
Design Addict
A resource for modern, post-modern and contemporary design of the 20th-21st centuries.
Digital Library of the Decorative Arts
Electronic resources for study and research of the decorative arts, with a particular focus on Early America.
Covers
A collection of ways to exhibit book covers. Don’t miss the previous year’s photos as well.
Another important aspect of bookcase design is to know working specifics about building bookcases. Did you know that most shelves vary between 8” and 12” in width? Or the maximum span for 3/4”-thick shelves is 36” in length? To add you your knowledge and complement your creativity, we’ve included Troy Sexton’s article, “Everything You Must Know About Shelving” from Popular Woodworking magazine, August 2000 (issue #116). It’s loaded with pertinent bookcase facts and information. Click here to download a pdf of the story. ”
What does the winning design get? That’s something you’ll have to find out next week.. But, I can tell you it’s not something Popular Woodworking, nor any other woodworking magazine, has ever offered before. Stay tuned! You don’t want to miss this one ;)
-- Martin, http://lumberjocks.com | My Facebook: http://profile.to/msojka






















42 comments so far
MsDebbieP
home | projects | blog
13437 posts in 912 days
posted 472 days ago
gasp.. This is exciting!!!!
-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
Peter O
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982 posts in 626 days
posted 472 days ago
oooooo . . . . the suspense is overwhelming!
-- http://www.north40custom.com -- http://north40studios.etsy.com --
GaryK
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9429 posts in 739 days
posted 472 days ago
Sounds very interesting!
-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.
CutNRun
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111 posts in 597 days
posted 472 days ago
I was excited up to the point of reading that we didn’t have to build anything. Then my bubble burst. My wife had mentioned wanting another bookcase or two. I don’t do Sketch-up, preferring graphite design work. Oh well, I’ll watch with interest.
-- CutNRun - So much wood, so many trails, so little time
teenagewoodworker
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2374 posts in 519 days
posted 472 days ago
wow this is exciting. I’ve been wanting to build a bookcase to showcase my “popular mechanics: do it yourself encyclopedia” printed 1957 that was handed down from my uncle to me. it originally belonged to my grandfather.
scottb
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3341 posts in 1078 days
posted 472 days ago
nice…
-- I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it. - Pablo Picasso -- http://blanchardcreative.etsy.com -- http://snbcreative.wordpress.com/
cajunpen
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5952 posts in 817 days
posted 472 days ago
Aaaah – the plot thickens.
-- Bill - "Suit yourself and let the rest be pleased." http://www.cajunpen.com/
gizmodyne
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1633 posts in 841 days
posted 472 days ago
Hmmm. What could it be?. .. . . .
-- -John "Do I have to keep typing a smiley? Just assume it's a joke." www.flickr.com/photos/gizmodyne
grovemadman
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558 posts in 523 days
posted 472 days ago
I’ll be here next week, and in the meantime… My diabolical plan factory is already hard at work brainstorming for total worldwide bookshelve domination!
-- --Chuck
MsDebbieP
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13437 posts in 912 days
posted 472 days ago
oh yah chuck… I can hear the evil laugh from here!
“What are we going to do tonight, Brain?” “Same thing we do every night, Pinkie.. try and take over the world!!!!”
-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
Scott Bryan
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16268 posts in 573 days
posted 472 days ago
Bring it on!!!
-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.
Peter O
home | projects | blog
982 posts in 626 days
posted 472 days ago
Hey, CutNRun – don’t watch from the sidelines – Martin said you’d be able to submit hand-drawn plans, too.
-- http://www.north40custom.com -- http://north40studios.etsy.com --
Eric
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785 posts in 535 days
posted 472 days ago
Man, I don’t know NOTHIN’ about design or bookshelves. But you better bet I’ll be thinking about something to submit!
-- Eric at http://adventuresinwoodworking.com
John Gray
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1427 posts in 637 days
posted 472 days ago
(Quote)
Aaaah – the plot thickens.
—Bill – “Suit yourself and let the rest be pleased.” http://www.cajunpen.com/
And he turned on the buzz saw…............
-- Only the Shadow knows....................
DannyBoy
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396 posts in 617 days
posted 472 days ago
Sharpen up the ol’ mouse ball…
-- He said wood...http://hickbyassociation.blogspot.com/
aaronmolloy
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113 posts in 532 days
posted 471 days ago
I’ve been dying to make a bookcase for my woodworker and woodturner magazines and my collection of woodworking books
-- A. Molloy
Dadoo
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1674 posts in 742 days
posted 471 days ago
Just getting ready to start my bookcases. Won’t kill me to wait another week. Count me in guys.
-- Bob Vila would be so proud of you!
Obi
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2189 posts in 988 days
posted 471 days ago
I was excited up to the point that I read where sketchup was part of it… or plans of any time. I dont do plans. I get the dimensions and then do it in my head. Guess I’ll be watching from the bench.
-- http://ye-olde-cabinet-shoppe.com/
rikkor
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11345 posts in 626 days
posted 471 days ago
This should be good….
MsDebbieP
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13437 posts in 912 days
posted 471 days ago
get thinking anyway, Obi… maybe the details that we hear about next week will change your mind. What’s the harm with thinking? :)
-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
Martin Sojka
home | projects | blog
1317 posts in 1224 days
posted 471 days ago
yeah.. the prize is going to be really special… any guesses? ;)
-- Martin, http://lumberjocks.com | My Facebook: http://profile.to/msojka
Douglas Bordner
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3316 posts in 815 days
posted 471 days ago
Thinking! Why that could be dangerous. After all a mind is a terrible thing.
-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.
Ryan Shervill
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228 posts in 564 days
posted 471 days ago
Special prize…....I’m going to guess that it is to be published in the mag, and possibly a trip to the shop for photos…...or (hopefully) a brand new unisaw with 52” fence :)
-- If you can't set a good example, at least serve as a horrible warning... www.rarewoodcreations.com
MsDebbieP
home | projects | blog
13437 posts in 912 days
posted 471 days ago
yah.. we’ve done the bandsaw… now what…
-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
Russel
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1769 posts in 690 days
posted 471 days ago
Martin said, “You will have to wait until next week …”
I tell you, this site is reminding me more and more of a few young ladies I used know … tease, tease, tease!
;-)
-- When you give someone a chance it may well be their last.
MsDebbieP
home | projects | blog
13437 posts in 912 days
posted 471 days ago
lol
kinda reminds me of a young child who has made a special gift for his parents .. “I can’t tell you what it is… it’s a…” :)
-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
Karson
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21155 posts in 1152 days
posted 470 days ago
We’ll have Glen Huey make it for us.
-- Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †
DAN
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5391 posts in 734 days
posted 470 days ago
I’m hoping for a 100 thousand dollar grand prize !
-- work from your heart and your spirit will live forever
odie
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1537 posts in 591 days
posted 470 days ago
EVERYONE please read … I down loaded Google SketchUp (as Martin mentions) recently. It’s a hoot … Try it. Then try Google Earth and hang on to your socks. They are both FREE.
-- Odie, Confucius say, "He who laughs at one's self is BUTT of joke". http://woodstermangotwood.blogspot.com/ (my funny blog)
sandflea
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21 posts in 534 days
posted 470 days ago
Perfect timing! My grandmother just asked me to design and build a floor-to-ceiling bookcase for all her photo albums.
-- Sawdust is life
Peter O
home | projects | blog
982 posts in 626 days
posted 470 days ago
Grand Prize – Sam Maloof comes to your shop and helps you build your design???
-- http://www.north40custom.com -- http://north40studios.etsy.com --
MsDebbieP
home | projects | blog
13437 posts in 912 days
posted 470 days ago
Peter – how did you know!!! :)
-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
mrtrim
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1702 posts in 631 days
posted 470 days ago
AND THE GRAND PRIZE IS …............ ( thats a drumroll ) an evening round the campfire listening to thos. angle tell cowboy stories !
MsDebbieP
home | projects | blog
13437 posts in 912 days
posted 470 days ago
oh now that sounds like fun!!
and then the next morning we could have a bonfire breakfast!!! :)
-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
Karson
home | projects | blog
21155 posts in 1152 days
posted 470 days ago
I hope the prize also includes the plane tickets to go from place to place.
-- Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †
mrtrim
home | projects | blog
1702 posts in 631 days
posted 469 days ago
AND SECOND PRIZE IS …..... ms. debbies hat ! id love to get my mitts on that bad boy . i bet it would be a real “chick magnet ” over at the beach ! lol
lazyfiremaninTN
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527 posts in 704 days
posted 469 days ago
I wanna win a trip to visit Martin so he can show me all the cool inner workings of LJ.
-- Adrian ..... The 11th Commandment...."Thou Shalt Not Buy A Wobble Dado"
MsDebbieP
home | projects | blog
13437 posts in 912 days
posted 469 days ago
MrTrim—not my hat.. oh no oh no… Martin, say it ain’t so!!!!
a trip to Slovakia.. sounds like a great prize!
-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
joey
home | projects | blog
289 posts in 655 days
posted 467 days ago
I’m shooting for second place..:)
Joey
-- Joey~~Sabina, Ohio http://sleepydogwoodworking.blogspot.com/
Greg3G
home | projects | blog
769 posts in 837 days
posted 467 days ago
I’m sharpening my pencil…I still prefer to do my drawings by hand. Its almost as enjoyable as building the project. I just don’t get the tactile pleasure from using the computer to do it (that and I just can’s seem to get the hang of it.) I guess I’ll be one of the only ones to submit hand drawings.
BTW….I already have the first sketch done, front view. Next is the side veiw, followed by the shop drawings.
-- Greg - Charles Town, WV
DAN
home | projects | blog
5391 posts in 734 days
posted 466 days ago
so when does this contest start and what are the details etc ?
-- work from your heart and your spirit will live forever
Martin Sojka
home | projects | blog
1317 posts in 1224 days
posted 466 days ago
... and the waiting is over ;)
-- Martin, http://lumberjocks.com | My Facebook: http://profile.to/msojka