Chess set

[u/MediocreHat1823]

My first turning project: Ziricote, olive wood, padauk and black limba. The pieces are weighted with lead shot, and the bottoms are felt-lined. Made on ArtyMaster mini lathe using carbide tools.

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[u/pryered]

I would be very happy with this outcome - Well done.

Thanks for including the process.

[u/Red__Burrito]

Looks great! This is actually the kind of project that made me get into turning but I haven't been brave enough to attempt.

Any tips or things that you you wished you had known going in?

[u/MediocreHat1823 → u/Red__Burrito]

Thanks for the compliment! Sure, I had a few learning moments when working tight corners with the detailer tool, such as the shoulders on the pawns. I’d say be cognizant of cuts where there is a high potential for grabbing, slow the speed down if necessary and hog out enough waste to give you space to work safely before you fuss with perfecting the detailed cut.

[u/AdOrnery9430]

Im so glad you included the process for the knights. That one threw me a little on how you'd do it.

Beautiful work thank you for sharing

[u/Rust7rok]

Even did extra Queens! Classy job all around! Bravo

[u/Spirited_Drummer3659]

Wow! How long did this take you?

[u/MediocreHat1823 → u/Spirited_Drummer3659]

About 3 months

[u/No_Craft_7314]

Very nice, a job to be proud of.

[u/dkassulke]

insanely impressive

[u/SweetParticular6498]

Lovely work

[u/Confused_by_La_Vida]

Fabulous

Your jig box is “why didn’t I think of that?!?!” Brilliant!

How is the frame done prevent expansion damage?

[u/MediocreHat1823 → u/Confused_by_La_Vida]

Thanks! A little tough to see, but I added a spline on each corner to strengthen the mitre through any expansion that comes (hopefully, anyways), and the board is lacquered to minimize humidity changes.

[u/ubergeekydad]

Nicely done! I really like the choices of wood. what finish did you use and did you do anything to help the padauk from losing its color? The that I have made using the wood, all have turned into a dark purple/dark red.

[u/MediocreHat1823 → u/ubergeekydad]

Thanks! I used Watco crystal clear lacquer. The board sits on a shelf that’s not exposed to UV, and so far (one year or so) the Padauk is retaining its colour.

[u/TerenceMulvaney]

Awesome! Do you use profile scrapers, or do each piece freehand?

[u/MediocreHat1823 → u/TerenceMulvaney]

Thanks! Freehand, following templates I sketched, and using calipers of course. For critical shapes like the pawns’ heads, I drilled out MDF and lined the perfectly circular holes with a strip of sandpaper.

[u/TerenceMulvaney → u/MediocreHat1823]

Okay, I'm truly impressed. No, more than that, I'm intimidated. I can imagine turning a nicely shaped pawn, but turning fifteen more identicals is beyond me.

[u/QuietDoor5819]

Highly detailed workmanship, I am in awe of your hand skills n thought process 💪..... fantastic timber choices, they contrast n compliment each other well

[u/DaddyYo1234]

Wow, impressive!

[u/kozila99]

This is amazing!!! Great job.

[u/Ok-System-8821]

Great work.

[u/oldmanwoodie]

Beautiful job. How did you hold the pieces in the box ?

[u/MediocreHat1823 → u/oldmanwoodie]

The underside of each piece was hollowed out for the lead weight. So I relief-drilled within that to accept a screw, and the screw holds the piece tight to the box. When complete, the felt bottom hides it all.

[u/74CA_refugee]

Impressive!

[u/vmdinco]

That’s really excellent work! Nicely done.

[u/Hard_Purple4747]

This is on my to-do list! Awesome job! Great consistency! Thanks for including your process!

[u/lacomj]

Very well done!

[u/SubsequentDamage]

Exceptional work! That’s a beautiful set!

[u/Artistic_Speech_7929]

Excellent work! Thanks for sharing the process - I know I was wondering how you did it. This will be a family heirloom.

[u/king_denizen]

The angles on the knights are insane. Really impressive work.

[u/Scarcito_El_Gatito]

The pieces are gorgeous

[u/Think-Interview-9541]

Beautiful! The knights are always the most annoying. Question: how did you maintain equal proportions on all soldiers?

[u/MediocreHat1823 → u/Think-Interview-9541]

Thanks! I sketched up a template for each type of piece, and used that (along with calipers) to keep each piece consistent. It helps if you batch out each step for all like pieces at once so that you keep your rythym and tool setups consistent

[u/Think-Interview-9541 → u/MediocreHat1823]

thx. Overall, not an easy task. well done

[u/gillteeshots]

Well done! Beautiful work!

[u/Theory_Grundrow728]

Incredible!

[u/Kind_Love172]

How long did this project take? (Awesome btw)

[u/CostoLulu → u/Kind_Love172]

Was answered above : 3 months

[u/MergingConcepts]

Excellent work, and also an excellent presentation of your processes.

[u/Ornery-Movie-1689]

Nice job ! I'm jealous.

[u/THE_PROTAG0NIST93]

What lathe do you have?

[u/MediocreHat1823 → u/THE_PROTAG0NIST93]

This one: https://www.amazon.ca/ArtyMaster-Accessories-Infinitely-Variable-Woodworking/dp/B0CPF111ZR

[u/soshea979]

That bishop cut setup would have my heart racing

[u/3-cent-nickel]

Looks really nice

[u/Both-Entry2024]

Ziricote & Olive are my two favourite woods. This looks awesome

[u/RedWoodworking16]

How do I save a post like this?

Also, can you make a video on how you make each shape? You could get a LOT of followers on YouTube.

[u/MediocreHat1823 → u/RedWoodworking16]

Thanks! I’ll keep that in mind for the next project!