Chess Set

What put that silly thought in my mind? I know, I was idly looking through Woodworking Wisdom videos when I stumbled into one on making a chess board, and then to my horror, all the pieces. Actually I found it them fascinating and I was of course hooked. I had to give this a go.

After several failed attempts, here is my latest effort. Squares are Walnut, Sycamore in an Oak box. Pieces are carved out of African Blackwood and Beech

I'm pretty pleased with it. It is made from thin strips of Walnut and Maple laid carefully onto MDF, then surrounded by an Oak Box.

Making the 32 pieces was something else. Obviously this is where the Lathe comes in, and it again it took me several attempts to find a wood that was just right. The dark pieces are made with African Blackwood, and the light ones in Beech. The most sweaty part was making the King and carving the cross on the top - after I had turned the rest of the piece. Its very thin and liable to snap off.