The deadline for 2014’s WE MAKE IT SIC competition is up, and the final winners have been selected. With so many great entries pouring through, competition was tough this year. While there’s been many great ideas and solid effort put into this year’s designs, only three can walk away with the R30 000’s worth of prizes, sponsored by Bosch and Dremel.
While last year had two categories: Craftsmanship and Innovation. This year a third one, Functionality, was added into the mix with each of the three winners receiving R10 000’s worth of power tools for their efforts.
We chatted to our DIY champs to hear more about their projects.
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THE INNOVATION AWARD: The judges wanted entrants to think of something new that would benefit surfers.
Winner: THE LIGHTBOX
by Jared Sanders-Perin
Let’s start with the most important question first. Have you been scoring any waves lately, because it looks like your project kept you very busy?
I was house sitting for a mates folks in Wilderness and had a few surfs at Vic Bay, but conditions were predominantly strong easterlies, so it wasn’t cooking. I had to leave this Saturday when the swell arrived but it’s all good, there’s always waves around Cape Town!
How did you hear about the We Make It SIC competition?
My girlfriend spotted it in my latest Issue of Zag. As soon as I saw it I got really amped and the tools couldn’t have come at a better time! So stoked with this comp, it’s SIC!
Does DIY make you stoked?
Super stoked!
Tell us about the concept?
The concept of the light box was to create surfing images that could be projected onto the walls of a baby’s room. I saw the WE MAKE IT SIC comp and since the light in our baby room needed to be replaced anyway, I decided to re-use it for my entry.
How long did it take you to get from concept to finished product?
Honestly, once I started I got really stuck into making it. I started and worked on it a bit everyday for about a week, the comp was originally closing sooner than it eventually did, which meant I had limited time! I came up with the idea after having seen the comp on a Thursday and we had the completed entry in by the Monday. I really enjoyed the process.
Describe the process of making your entry?
The silhouettes are printed on acetate plastic sheets, which I have stuck behind some pieces of old perspex. It was interesting working with really limited tools and no real workspace! The box was made using old cut off pieces of wood. I put it together using only a Stanley knife and a blunt hacksaw blade, some misfit screws and a lick of paint.
You’ve just won R10,000 worth of Bosch and Dremel power tools for winning the Innovation category. Is there any tool in particular that you are looking to get your hands on?
A chop saw would be my number one tool of choice, otherwise a skill saw. I just bought a house and I plan to do a large part of the work myself, so that’s definitely something that would help a lot!
What do you plan on changing now that you have the extra tools?
Well aside from nearly everything in my house, a lot of projects can now be realized with the space and most importantly the tools, I am so stoked to have won this prize now. It really could not be better timing!
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THE CRAFTSMANSHIP AWARD: The judges were looking at the level of skill that was put into the entry.
Winner: THE WOODEN LOG
by Bill Bulgen
Have you managed to score any waves inbetween the board building lately?
I am semi-retired and get to longboard at the Berg when it’s good. Mostly during the week when it’s less crowded.
Describe the process of making your entry?
It came as a big surprise when Liam (my son) told me that he had entered my board in the comp – it was too late to pull-out!
Does DIY make you stoked?
I really enjoy working with wood and have made some furniture over the years when time has been available. I enjoy the creative process of turning a vague idea and raw timber into a finished piece – hopefully it looks as good as first imagined!
How long did it take you to get from concept to finished product?
For years I have wanted to craft a wooden surfboard but always put it off. I was daunted by the complex curves and transitions that form part of the overall foil of the board and how these would translate into wood. Once I retired, and no longer had the excuse of “no time,” I spent a couple of months searching the internet for ideas. I was stoked, and encouraged, to find that so many beautiful wooden boards were being made all over the world. Once I got my head around the concept of the frame (spine & ribs) and the way these work together to create the subtle details of overall foil it suddenly seemed possible!
It took another month of planning, getting the necessary tools, finding the right timber and suitable glues. I was ready to start and set about the hardest part – convincing my wife that I needed the garage for a couple of weeks. The board took almost a month to finish (unhappy wife) because I needed to carefully consider every step. Once the glue has dried it can’t be changed! Very little sanding is possible because the skins are only a couple of mm thick so mistakes are almost impossible to fix. Once the board went to my glasser I was so excited – like a kid on Christmas eve I couldn’t wait to surf my board. Surprisingly I was also very worried: would my board surf well or ride like a dog. Happily, it rides well.
Tell us about your entry. The concept behind it and the materials used.
My first surfboard (circa 1962) was a serious longboard. It was so heavy that I needed a friend to help me carry it to the beach, and I wanted to try and re-create the stoke of paddling on your knees and nose-riding forever. I set-out to copy all the best points of the classic longboard design, in terms of buoyancy, paddling and wave catching with the ability to nose-ride. My obvious choice was a wooden board with a single fin to recreate the smooth turns and stylish surfing that result. This is also an environmental choice. Wood is a sustainable material, does not come from the petroleum industry and is totally recyclable. Wood also looks so *@#! awesome!
How did you hear about the We Make It SIC competition?
Liam and I read every issue of Zag and he decided to enter the comp himself and unbeknown to me he entered me as well.
Is there any tool in particular that you are looking to get your hands on? If so, why?
The Dremel with attachments. Liam and I have just finished our second board, a six foot fish, and he inset a Jimi Hendrix face into the top deck. The insane detail possible with the Dremel will enable us to create functional art boards.
What do you plan on changing now that you have the extra tools?
We are planning to add as much fine detail and a high level of craftsmanship into the boards and the awesome tools will make this possible. Thanks guys!
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THE FUNCTIONALITY AWARD: The judges were looking at an entry with great practical application for surfers.
Winner: THE ECOGRIP
by Liam Bulgen
Howzit Liam, you been getting any waves lately?
I’ve been surfing before work and doing dawnie missions on the weekend. I’m more amped on surfing than ever before. Unfortunately I’ve been out of the water since last Saturday. I paddled out at Kalk Bay as the sun rose & shared some heavy waves with one other guy. He and I exchanged waves for about an hour until I pulled into a set wave that resulted in five stitches to the head and a broken custom Mayhem.
Bummer! Can you describe the process of making your entry?
I recently started making a wooden fish. I wanted it to look and feel as natural as possible. I really like a tail pad and I couldn’t find anything suitable. I was sitting in a meeting, boredom kicked in and when my eyes wondered until I saw an 80’s style cork board that was full of notes & pins. That was when I thought of the EcoGrip.
Does DIY make you stoked?
DIY is the best. I can make my ideas a reality. I recently made a board (with the help from my father) out of a few blocks of wood. Wood is amazing to work with.
How long did it take you to get from concept to finished product?
Although the process of making the grip didn’t take long I spent a lot of time thinking about how I would make it. I eventually got up at 03:30am one morning and made the grip before work.
Tell us about your entry. The concept behind it and the materials used.
A few years ago my fiancé bought me a surfboard rack that Jasper Eales made. I noticed the board rack had thin cork padding on the arms and ever since then I have been thinking of making something out of cork. Cork is readily available and it grows back which is pretty cool. Cork is super light and naturally has fantastic grip. Although cork appears very spongy it only absorbs surface water. Cork is natural, inexpensive, locally grown and environmentally friendly
How did you hear about the We Make It SIC competition?
Through Zigzag. I am reminded of the We Make It SIC competition daily because of my award winning board racks.
Is there any tool in particular that you are looking to get your hands on? If so, why?
Engraver. I have a list of designs that require engraving.
What do you plan on changing now that you have the extra R10 000’s worth of tools?
Jobs… I have been planning on resigning from my job for a while and to be perfectly honest I can’t wait to put my tools to use by making some more boards. After I found out that I won the tools I literally decided that it’s time for positive change and I’m going to do what makes me truly happy. Winning the tools has inspired me do start a small business. I am so stoked. Thank you Zigzag, Bosch and Dremel.
