Jenga Blocks: Anyone taken the challenge?

Lightningbolt · #1 03-24-2006, 08:12 PM

After recently spending some time away with family I actually had some time to just sit out on the deck and enjoy my Spring, 2006 issue of WCI. Refering to page 74 I was especially fascinated by the carver's challenge on Jenga Blocks.

From the attached pictures I decided to see if I could get a small totem pole out of one of these 1/2" X 1" X 3" blocks of wood and oh boy, did I ever lose myself into another frenzy of carving which hasn't stopped yet!

I first cut the block in half lengthwise with the bandsaw then etched out four equal 3/4" sections where I continued to sketch out an eagle, fox, frog, and a bear as gleaned from the northwest coastal Indian tribes.

I then cut the other half into one 2" piece which I used for the wings and the other 1" piece I cut in half lengthwise again and used those pieces for the stand. The stand was especially a challenge as I came up with using overlapped notching and I was quite pleased with the results.

I've now been inspired to work on carving a whole set of these mini Jenga Block totems then perhaps make a nice wooden display case for them whenever I can find the time to do it.

I was just curious if anyone else has taken on this Jenga Block challenge and if so, please do post your results here. I know that I'd really like to see what you came up with!

Carvity_Carve · #2 03-25-2006, 04:37 PM

Can't say I even know what jenga wood is, but that is a really neat totem, Lightningbolt!

Sabrina

Claude · #3 03-25-2006, 05:27 PM

Sabrina:
When you see something you don't know about, put the word into Google and see what pops up. I happen to have a Jenga game, but haven't tried the challenge yet. When I googled Jenga, I found this, which might help explain it to you.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/cus...ndex=0#gallery

Claude

Carvity_Carve · #4 03-27-2006, 06:25 PM

Ah! Thanks. And here I was thinking it was some kind of wood I'd never heard about. Heh. Unfortunately my sister owns the only Jenga game, and I'm not allowed to carve it up.

Sabrina

Hi_Ho_Sliver · #5 03-27-2006, 07:11 PM

Surely you have heard of this!! Every Christmas people sing Jenga Bells all over the place!!

brushpilecarvings · #6 03-27-2006, 10:18 PM

I just started working on a few things from Jenga blocks today. Not as complex as those totem poles. I'll post pictures when I finish. And I still have to start on my 2X4 challenge entry.

MelNM · #7 03-27-2006, 11:33 PM

Thanks for posting the demensions Lightningbolt, this is one of the pages my daughters dog ate. Now I'm going to start on it tommorrow.
Mel

Marci MN · #8 03-28-2006, 01:52 AM

That totem pole is just the coolest thing..

I might give this one a try.. I dont have the game but I can cut that size out of basswood.

BobD · #9 03-28-2006, 08:23 AM

One word of advice--CUT THE BLANK OUT OF BASSWOOD!!!

I'm not sure what kind of wood they use for the game, but it crumbles when you carve! I've been working on a little fish for months now...and still haven't finished the little guy because I get frustrated with the wood!

Bob

Lightningbolt · #10 03-28-2006, 07:38 PM

I would also strongly reccomend using basswood but I just cut up some handly pine for mine.

Jenga must use some kind of unknown wood species from South America for some of their block sets. Several times I've tried to use some of those wooden grape crates from Chile for carving and boy, oh boy... sometimes you just don't know which-a-way that grains gonna go!