Knight Time!

In a Chess set, Knights are a funny looking piece. What looks like a horse's head sitting on a round thingy..

Hard to make?  A little, but the template and cutting sequence from Penn State's templates and instructions make it pretty easy.  See all images below.

You must turn the base of the Knight and then remove it from the lathe, making very sure you do NOT cut off the base.  It will be used to keep the Knight blank parallel to the bandsaw.

Then, using the two form templates from Penn State, pencil in the outlines from the templates on both sides of the top square. 

 

Here's an image of the Penn State's template and cutting sequence instructions.

Here's an image of how the Knight looks after cutting it on the bandsaw.  A litle rough.

Here's the drum sander I used on my drill press to smooth out the curves on the Knight.  It's about the same radii as the Knight's curves.

And finally, here's the Knight after the first hand sanding.

Have fun!

Larry

I was wondering how this was done!

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Lew Kauffman-
Wood Turners Forum Host

Time Traveler and Purveyor of the Universe's Finest Custom Rolling Pins!

So that's how they do it! That is pretty cool Larry. You know what? I really kind of like the way that knight looked in the rough too, which got me to thinking, how about instead of sanding it smooth, one could chisel away at it after it is bandsawn, leaving the chisel marks behind as the finished piece, hmmmm. I just may have to think about this one, I always liked the look of chiseled work transitioning to smooth. 

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John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker

Then the Knight would have a nice "rustic" hand-carved look.  Does that mean, in your mind, that all the other Chess pieces that are completely turned would have to be hit slightly with a chisel to match the Knight?  Wow!  Would be different!

Larry

John Morris said:

So that's how they do it! That is pretty cool Larry. You know what? I really kind of like the way that knight looked in the rough too, which got me to thinking, how about instead of sanding it smooth, one could chisel away at it after it is bandsawn, leaving the chisel marks behind as the finished piece, hmmmm. I just may have to think about this one, I always liked the look of chiseled work transitioning to smooth. 

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John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker

Yeah I guess so then. I think it would look striking, the way they look now is striking in its own style, and then to add a hand hewn look to them as well. But I am only thinking of hitting the upper portions of each piece, essentially leaving the bases and little above, nice and smooth.

Larry Jenkins said:

Then the Knight would have a nice "rustic" hand-carved look.  Does that mean, in your mind, that all the other Chess pieces that are completely turned would have to be hit slightly with a chisel to match the Knight?  Wow!  Would be different!

Larry

John Morris said:

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John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker

Here's another image of all four Knights, ready for final sanding and finishing.

Larry

John Morris said:

Yeah I guess so then. I think it would look striking, the way they look now is striking in its own style, and then to add a hand hewn look to them as well. But I am only thinking of hitting the upper portions of each piece, essentially leaving the bases and little above, nice and smooth.

Larry Jenkins said:

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John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker