I've been seriously wanting to make a chess set for a while now. I bought Diana Thompson's book on compound cut chess sets last week, it's a good book, and I am a fan of Diana's, I cut a lot of her patterns. But the book wasn't quite what I was looking for so I orderd Jim Kape's book "Making wooden chess sets", published by Foxchapel also. WOW what a great book, it has so much great info packed in it. I was amazed at all that is in it, it includes 15 sets of patterns too. I ordered both through Booksamillion, they carry all of the Foxchapel book, and with their discount card I got free shipping. Anybody that might be interested I highly recommend Jim kape's book  http://www.foxchapelpublishing.com/product_p/4574s.htm

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Greg
Scroll Saw forum host

http://www.thesawdustfactory.net/

Your welcome Charles, these books are for compound cut scroll saw pieces. But I'll bet there are some good books about turning chess sets too.

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Greg
Scroll Saw forum host

http://www.thesawdustfactory.net/

That's cool book Greg. What is the size of the pieces of your after? King height, pawn height? And what do you plan for a chess board?

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John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker
Proud Supporter of Wounded Warrior Project and Homes For Our Troops

John, the patterns in this book are all based on 1 1/2"x1 1/2 stock and the kings are 4-4 1/2" and pawns are about 2 1/4" high. I want to make the board too, there are a couple plans in the book for boards also. As far as wood goes I'd really like to use black walnut and aspen or maple, but might end up using some other type of dark wood. The aspen and maple will be hard to find locally. Actually I probably won't find the walnut locally either. This is going to be a spare time project just because it's one of those things I just want to do so I can say I did it

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Greg
Scroll Saw forum host

http://www.thesawdustfactory.net/

Greg the walnut and ash sounds stunning in my mind. If you can not get it locally maybe try some cherry for the dark wood and ash for the light? I have made a note of the books you referred to future reference. Sounds like a great project for spare time ( whats that ? ) and something to add to the bucket list.

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Wayne Mahler
God bless and protect our troops that serve so we can be free.

Wayne, I would definitely recommend this book over Diana's, It has 3 times the info in it. The cover price is $19.95, but I got it for $14 and some change plus free shipping with my Books a Million membership. Fox Chapel sometimes runs specials on their books too. I'm a big fan of Diana's patterns book her book on Chess sets just doesn't have near the info this book does. 

Wayne Mahler said:

Greg the walnut and ash sounds stunning in my mind. If you can not get it locally maybe try some cherry for the dark wood and ash for the light? I have made a note of the books you referred to future reference. Sounds like a great project for spare time ( whats that ? ) and something to add to the bucket list.

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Wayne Mahler
God bless and protect our troops that serve so we can be free.

Greg, I got some walnut scrap how much do you need?

Greg Aksdal said:

Wayne, I would definitely recommend this book over Diana's, It has 3 times the info in it. The cover price is $19.95, but I got it for $14 and some change plus free shipping with my Books a Million membership. Fox Chapel sometimes runs specials on their books too. I'm a big fan of Diana's patterns book her book on Chess sets just doesn't have near the info this book does. 

Wayne Mahler said:

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Greg
Scroll Saw forum host

http://www.thesawdustfactory.net/

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John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker
Proud Supporter of Wounded Warrior Project and Homes For Our Troops

Alot . Let me do some figuring and I'll get back to ya. 

John Morris said:

Greg, I got some walnut scrap how much do you need?

Greg Aksdal said:

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Greg
Scroll Saw forum host

http://www.thesawdustfactory.net/