Bruce Shiverdecker
12-21-2005, 9:17 PM
OK folks, as I promised. Here is the chess set I just finished for my son. Last Christmas, he gave me a big bag with a log and a letter. Long story short, he didn't want to just give me a gift certificate. Instead, he gave me a challange. Make him a chess set that he will be able to pass down to his children and future generations.
After looking through everything I could find, which took a while, I decided on several things.
1. Meet my sons goals with something he will like.
2. Since chess pieces represent people. Each piece should have it's own character, while abiding by a general theme.
3. After the wood is cut into 2" x 2" blocks of appropriate length, all work will be done on the lathe. No carving, no sawing, and only finish sanding.
Whether or not I achieved #1 remains to be seen Sunday. I know that I achieved #2. Each piece has a slight difference. Some a little taller. Some a little smaller. Some a little in need of a diet and others slender.
I stuck to #3. Therefore, the bishops have no saw cut to tell them apart. They have a pointed hat. The Rooks do not have shooting slots in the parapet. The King and Queens crowns are smooth instead of serrated. And, instead of a cross, the King has a conical portion at the center of his crown.
The Knight was the toughest. It took turning from four different center points to get the shape I wanted.
The finish is: Sanded to 4000. Wiped with oil to bring out the grain, then friction finished with six coats of French Polish.
The total production time.................. Right at 100 Hrs. Others and I could have probably done it faster, but "THIS IS A LABOR OF LOVE!"
Thanks for reading and looking. Happy Holidays to all.
Bruce;)
PS: can't get pictures to transfer here...........Posted this as a reply in True Story - lost pictures when I deleted the post. As soon as I get this figured out, I'll post them here.
After looking through everything I could find, which took a while, I decided on several things.
1. Meet my sons goals with something he will like.
2. Since chess pieces represent people. Each piece should have it's own character, while abiding by a general theme.
3. After the wood is cut into 2" x 2" blocks of appropriate length, all work will be done on the lathe. No carving, no sawing, and only finish sanding.
Whether or not I achieved #1 remains to be seen Sunday. I know that I achieved #2. Each piece has a slight difference. Some a little taller. Some a little smaller. Some a little in need of a diet and others slender.
I stuck to #3. Therefore, the bishops have no saw cut to tell them apart. They have a pointed hat. The Rooks do not have shooting slots in the parapet. The King and Queens crowns are smooth instead of serrated. And, instead of a cross, the King has a conical portion at the center of his crown.
The Knight was the toughest. It took turning from four different center points to get the shape I wanted.
The finish is: Sanded to 4000. Wiped with oil to bring out the grain, then friction finished with six coats of French Polish.
The total production time.................. Right at 100 Hrs. Others and I could have probably done it faster, but "THIS IS A LABOR OF LOVE!"
Thanks for reading and looking. Happy Holidays to all.
Bruce;)
PS: can't get pictures to transfer here...........Posted this as a reply in True Story - lost pictures when I deleted the post. As soon as I get this figured out, I'll post them here.