Challenge accepted

Shaper Tools, manufacturer of the Shaper Origin hand-held, self-guiding router, has announced the winners of its online contest, the #shaperbox challenge, where entrants designed and built unique boxes.

“The challenge was a huge success. We saw roughly 800 submissions from around the globe from both hobbyist and professional woodworkers. We were also thrilled to have judges like woodworker and author, Matt Kenney, woodworkers Hubert Neumann and Laura Mays, as well as TTS chairwoman, Barbara Austel,” says Zach Dunham, head of marketing at Shaper Tools.

TTS Tooltechnic Systems is the parent company of Shaper Tools. Matt Kenny is the founder of MEK Woodworks. Neumann is editor of DDS, a German trade magazine. Mays is the director and lead instructor at the Krenov School of Fine Furniture.

Participants were required to submit their designs between Jan. 28 and Feb. 25 for their chance to win first, second, and third-place prizes. They were not required to use a Shaper Origin. A ‘box’ was opened to interpretation and they could use materials other than wood. However, the box had to close with a lid.

The prizes were a Shaper Origin, Festool CT MIDI I Dust Extractor, and set of Bessey clamps.

Judging criteria included overall design of the box, craftsmanship with execution, and the quality and variety of accompanying documentation. 
- Jennifer Hicks

More contest information is available at shapertools.com.

This article was originally published in the August 2022 issue.