Shopsmith Forums

Started just messing around with sawing a few chess pieces in July of last year. Then a project kind grew like Topsie. First there was a checkered game board, then borders for the board. But I still lacked a storage box for the chess pieces. Finally came up with the idea of making a drawer beneath the game board, but didn't want to elevate the board very high above normal table height. Used scrap wood except for the 2ft by 4ft piece of 1/4" plywood used for the drawer.

Flocking was a new operation for me and had to learn as I went. Worked out okay, but not as nice as it could have been.

Only need to do some final finishing on the parts that were scratched up during fitting of the drawer. Then it is going up for sale at a local shop.

Came out great!! I remember when you started this and I kind of throught that instead of band sawing the pieces you should try turning the pieces instead. But now that this is finished, I am really taken with they way these look! Kudos!

Like

This is outstanding! Great work.

Chris

Very elegant.

Inspiring!

Very nice Chuck. I love the detail work on the chess pieces !
Paul

Very nice indeed!

Hope the recipient(buyer?) realixes* what went into creating it.


* sssseee busted on my keyboard.

I think it came out great. The storage drawer works well to for home use. Do the pieces have finish on them?

As a avid player and woodworker I've never considered making a set. First, the Staunton style pieces are the best (the standard), and I don't have the skills to make that style set. Second, my weighted plastic set and vinyl board travel very well and I don't worry about the set when I spill beer on it.

berry wrote:I think it came out great. The storage drawer works well to for home use. Do the pieces have finish on them?

As a avid player and woodworker I've never considered making a set. First, the Staunton style pieces are the best (the standard), and I don't have the skills to make that style set. Second, my weighted plastic set and vinyl board travel very well and I don't worry about the set when I spill beer on it.

5 to 7 coats of polyurethane gloss on all pieces. Sanding between each coat to remove all drips. 5 coats of poly on the board. A very hard surface! Spills not a problem.

Storage drawer will travel well with the whole set. Heavy though! nothing you can tuck under your arm.

To make lathe (round) pieces would need a lathe duplicator. Also have not figured out a way to make a likable knight on a lathe.

2 1/2" base on kings and queens - others slightly smaller. No skills needed to make squared pieces - only squared blanks and a drawn profile.

Thought flocked storage would work well, but have been waiting 3 weeks for the odor of the adhesive to leave the drawer.