This project will take some time.  Because of it's complexity, I'll try to start in a logical sequence.  If some one has a better path, please speak up.  Another question:  Would you like to see individual posts, or one continuous one?

The first image shows how the Chess Set blanks were prepared. Hard White Maple and Black Walnut.  The smaller pieces (details later) are 1 3/8" square and the larger ones are 1 1/2" square.  Length vary a little depending on which Chess piece.

Number two shows my 6" metal lathe with hand-made forming tools in the square turret that are used to form the Chess Set pieces.  All the forming is done by manipulating the cross-slide and carriage with both hands at the same time.

The third image shows one of the Hard White Maple Pawn blanks being turned to it's major diameter.

Image Number four shows one of the Pawns being rough formed.

The last imager for this session shows the Pawn formed; ready for the initial sanding and cut off with the parting tool shown in the second image. 

Later, I'll show you a simple jig I made to do the final sanding for each of the Chess pieces.

Because I don't want "system overload," let's stop for today.  Next, I'll show more turning details and two of the design documents.

Larry

Looks interesting and complex. I am not familiar with chess pieces, but would like to know how your are going to tackle the one that looks like a horse. I thought about making a chess set too at one time, but don't think anyone I know would appreciate the work that I would have to put into such an effort. But please keep us posted........looking good.

By the way, are you going to use a duplicator for the pawns?

Ron..

I will go into making the Knight (horse head) in great detail later.  The "duplicator" is me.  Just eye/hand coordination and a metal lathe that had both a cross-slide and a carriage that can be moved by hand in both axes.

Both Chess sets are made and delivered to some pretty happy "boys."  Stay tuned..

Larry

 

Ron Altier said:

Looks interesting and complex. I am not familiar with chess pieces, but would like to know how your are going to tackle the one that looks like a horse. I thought about making a chess set too at one time, but don't think anyone I know would appreciate the work that I would have to put into such an effort. But please keep us posted........looking good.

By the way, are you going to use a duplicator for the pawns?

Ron..

In addition, see my original post on the Turning Forum that shows the complete set.

Larry

Nice lathe!!

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Lew Kauffman-
Wood Turners Forum Host

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

you have my interest. One of my old bowling teammates was using a metal lathe because he felt it was more accurate.

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Round Barn WoodCrafts, Plymouth WI
roundbarnwoodcrafts@hotmail.com

Accuracy is really not the thing that makes this kinda easy.  It's the ability to "move" the tooling with both hands into and out of the wood that generates the forms.  A regular wood lathe (I have a 12" VS Rikon) may be harder to use to make the same forms.

Granted. there are probably folks out there who are way more talented on a regular wood lathe than I am.

Larry

John Hechel said:

you have my interest. One of my old bowling teammates was using a metal lathe because he felt it was more accurate.

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Round Barn WoodCrafts, Plymouth WI
roundbarnwoodcrafts@hotmail.com

Thanks, Lew.  It's a Craftsman.  A direct copy of the 6" Atlas lathe made some years ago.

Massive rectangular ways; a lead screw; compound cross slide and a hand wheeled carriage.  3 and 4 jaw chucks; steady rest; live tailstock and many thread change gears.  1/2 Horse power motor and a great square turret I designed and made for the lathe.

$200 bucks way back then.  Priceless today.  Ebay has some.

Larry,

Lewis Kauffman said:

Nice lathe!!

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Lew Kauffman-
Wood Turners Forum Host

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

Larry, it looks wonderful and great images as well, thanks for the tutorial. As far as posting it, I would do them in order, you could edit this post and make the title "The Long Chest Set Journey Begins Part 1" then each consecutive post "Part 2" etc.

That way we can keep them in order and we'll know when you post a new one too. Ultimately how you title and post them is your choice, but since you asked, I am a big fan of individual posts with the same title add Part 1 and on and on.

Thanks again Larry, nice work.

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John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker