Crazy "Jenga" Question...

[thundergun]

Gang,

First off, I am currently focusing on "smaller carvings", and I have been thinking about using 1" x 1" basswood stock. I am actually using a book on small figure carving to give me ideas and it calls for the 1" stock as a starting point.

I have heard of people using "Jenga" pieces for carving. For those that don't know, Jenga is a game with little wooden pieces that you stack to create a tower, then you take turns removing pieces till one person makes the tower fall.

I was wondering if anyone has ever used these pieces for carving? They seem like decent wood, but I am kind of going by memory here. Seemed like a cheap way to get a lot of good wood cheap, as may people lose one or two pieces of the game which kind of renders the game useless.


Thanks!

[BobD]

Hi John,
The Jenga piece I carved was really crumbly...I'm not sure I would carve it except for the personal challenge I gave myself to use a real Jenga block. It seems to be some sort of mahogany relative, but it doesn't have any of mahogany's redeeming qualities.

I normally don't categorically suggest against something, but...I know how much trouble I had carving one, and I wouldn't wish that on anyone!

Bob Duncan
Technical Editor

[Mitchell]

There was an active thread a year or so ago.....

Here it is:

Jenga Blocks: Anyone taken the challenge?

[thundergun]

Wow! I feel like I should almost apologize!

The thread that Mitchell mentions has 217 responses!

I NEVER, EVER, EVER thought that Jenga blocks would have even been discussed previously! Head Bange

I'd better use that "search" feature a bit more in the future!


Thanks to all.

[Marci MN]

That perticular topic was a fun one! If you do decide to carve some Jenga blocks I sure hope your going to show and tell in here. I loved seeing the creativity.

M.

[Mitchell]

It's not a problem John......it was a bit old.

[Claude]

Please post your photos of your Jenga carvings to the original thread! Those were fun carvings!

Claude

[MelNM]

I'm with Claude please post your pics maybe we can get another Jenga Challenge going again.
Mel

[LavRuss]

Jenga® Block Bear - Wood Carving Illustrated
Here is the link to the original article that got it all started. I love you guys. When I picked up that block and carved it with my Xacto, then wrote to the magazine because I was so enthused, I NEVER thought it would snowball into such a phenomenon! That was in '05, and it is still being talked about on the message board. Thanks again! ~Lavonne

[Just Carving]

Uh-ohhhhh....are we gonna start this again?!?!?

Let's make it a little more challenging and interesting...

Use only one tool, OR...

...maybe a 1⁄2" x 1" x 3" block of wood--anything other than basswood--with a natural finish--no paint, OR

...both.

One more thought...Realizing it's getting close to the holidays, maybe make it holiday related?

Bob L

P.S. I DARE YA!!!