2x4 Project!

We got to do a project in the scary wood shop!  We had a 2x4 x 18" of wood and were asked to cut this piece of wood at LEAST five times, and using ALL the pieces, to somehow create a system.  This meant that we basically had to figure out how to piece the wood back together, without using any material (adhesives) other than one we created out of our 2x4! Hmmm....
Yeah, I didn't realize what I was getting myself into!

I originally thought it would be a simple, ten cutes at the most, type of project.  I drew some sketches went to the wood shop, and put myself to work at the band saw.  All of my sketches quickly diminished with the first cut.  However, I did stay partly true to the plan I had in mind for the joints.  I wanted to drill a hole in the pieces that would be connected and then cut a small wooden peg that would fit snug into the hole and keep them together.

Originally these joints were short, but I made them the full 18" later because I realized it was way more efficient.  I used the giant drill and used a 1/4" drill.  Then I had to use a table saw to cut a square peg that would fit into the hole.  It took a few tries but I eventually got the right size once it had been sanded down.  I cut some pieces with the rest of the wood that were also 18" by 1 1/2", and connected them all using three of the pegs.

So, there.  I had mastered a lot of the scary tools in the wood shop, and had at least made SOMETHING.  But of course I was going to have to try again for a good project.  So I went to Lowes and bought a new 2x4.  (although really it was much more than 18" long- so I had to cut it)

I went to the wood shop a couple more times in order to create the new project I had in mind.  I made the same 18" pegs and 1/4" hole pegs to hold this one together.  I then cut the wood into much thinner and much shorter pieces.  I also used more pegs.  I then started to make a fence- like creation that I wasn't too happy.  I had a lucky accident where one of the pegs snaped and so I cut the wood and pulled it forward.  This created a more interesting look but it still wasn't completely right.  So I drilled more holes and made tiny pegs to throw in random spots.  This made an abstract look- so I went with it.

I love the way this one turned out.  I thought my other projects were really structured so I was happy to create one that was crazier.  But of course, I did run into issues.  For one, it took a really long time to use up all of my wood since I cut them into such tiny pieces.  Also, I had drilled each of the BILLION holes individually and then was told by one of the wood shop workers that I could have done them all at once, in two clean holes, and then cut them with the band saw afterwards.  That would have saved me a lot of time, plus the holes would have all been even and saved me the problem of snapping pegs!

This was definitely my favorite assignment yet.  I love using the wood shop.  It's much more active and hands on and there were SO MANY possibilities with this assignment.  Also, we were given the responsibility to get ourselves in the wood shop and get done.  I liked that I could go there because I wanted to, and because the project was fun, not because I had a deadline or an interim critique.  I thought wood was just a super fun material to work with as well!