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Friday, January 29, 2010
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Sawdust Status
Well folks, the book has been submitted to the publisher. I'm sure there will be some edits going on, but that is to be expected. I'm travelling almost every week for work now so there isn't much I'm doing in the shop.
Maybe I can get some grips done next weekend.
Maybe I can get some grips done next weekend.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Travel Chess Set
Here is the travel chess set, it took me 5 tries to get this right, but now that it's done, I'm very happy with the results.
The Vertical Chess Set
This was an idea that was recommended to me by my cousin. It's a fantastic idea that I took a little further and added magnets to the shelves and the pieces. I also added storage for the pieces on the sides of the board.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Book Excerpt - Building the Classic Chess Set
I like to start a chess set with lumber that is sized at 8/4 (eight quarters or two inches thick). That gives me a chance to dimension it at exactly 1 1/2 inches square by about 16 to 22 inches long.
The next step is to cover the piece with blue painter's tape. It helps when you remove the pattern later, and it also provides a lubricant to the saw blade as you cut the piece.
The pattern goes on next. I cut the pattern out long, and use the guide line down the center of the pattern to place it right on the edge of the piece of wood. I use spray adhesive and glue the pattern to the blank.
Now it's time to cut the piece. I use a jig to hold the piece every time I cut a chesspiece. It provides more grip, more weight and the jig makes it much easier to do the cutting.
Now, it's time to cut the piece. Take your time, be precise and use the tricks I discussed in the first chapter.
Now the it's my favorite time of all, open up the block and see what we made.
The next step is to cover the piece with blue painter's tape. It helps when you remove the pattern later, and it also provides a lubricant to the saw blade as you cut the piece.
The pattern goes on next. I cut the pattern out long, and use the guide line down the center of the pattern to place it right on the edge of the piece of wood. I use spray adhesive and glue the pattern to the blank.
Now it's time to cut the piece. I use a jig to hold the piece every time I cut a chesspiece. It provides more grip, more weight and the jig makes it much easier to do the cutting.
Now, it's time to cut the piece. Take your time, be precise and use the tricks I discussed in the first chapter.
Now the it's my favorite time of all, open up the block and see what we made.
Book Excerpt - King Henry XIII
King Henry XIII is an icon in the history of England, not only for his wives, his religion, his excesses, but also for his progressive policies. It's fitting that we memorialize him in a chess set. The theme of the set is the general excess throughout the his court. The King and Queen have narrow collars, but large convex bodies. The Rook is modeled after a drinking goblet. All in all, it's an impressive, heavy, impressive set.
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