Turning chess pieces

[Joash Boyton]

Just a quick thread, does anyone have any ideas, hints, tips, links, articles etc: on turning chess pieces? We are interested in turning a set.

If anyone has any ideas, I would be interested.

Thanks,

Joash

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Joash..........You might try doing a search or advanced search on the threads here at SMC. Last year or maybe this year one of our members turned a set. I know I didn't turn then and I was intrigued. He had a lot of photos IIRC. Good luck and photos of your progress would be greatly appreciated!

[Joash Boyton]

ok, I had a look, what I am looking for, is something like step by step processes, like this (http://treebeau.blogspot.com/2006/05/royal-treatmentseveral-pictures.html) site

Joash

[Bill Kay]

The ShopSmith site has a nice tutorial. This link should get you there. http://www.shopsmithhandson.com/archives/nov_dec00/html/money_maker.htm

[Dave Smith]

I used the plans Bill suggested. I turned about 48 pieces to get 32. There were decapitations, disembowelments, and in one case a sex change. I used business cards for story sticks. Mark the highest and lowest points, width of beads and flats, etc along the edge of the card for each piece. Then you have a quick reference guide which saves a lot of time measuring. Do the pawns first for practice. If you aren't good at spindle turning when you start you will be when you finish the project.
52125
Lilac chess set.
52124
English walnut set.

Good luck.

Dave Smith

At least the rain isn't frozen this morning in Longview, WA.

[Steve Schlumpf]

Wow - beautiful work Dave!

[Gary DeWitt]

Mike Darlow, from your part of the world, wrote an article - I think in woodturning design magazine on design principles of chess sets, very well written and worth looking for, perhaps on the web. Maybe you can get the back issue from them.

[Joash Boyton]

Ok, thanks for the help and comments, oh and by the way, great chess set there Dave!!

Will keep you informed,

Joash

[Jonathon Spafford]

Hey, Joash... check this out! Haven't read it myself, but it might be something you are looking for! http://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/cgi-bin/shopper?preadd=action&key=273-0015

[Joash Boyton]

That is a very good book, I have browsed through it before, and is also available at our local carbatec, but I think I have found what I need online, including step by step instructions with photographs, as well as chess piece profiles to print out.

Thanks anyway,

Joash

[Jason Christenson]

I've been cranking out fishing lures lately and at this point I am very impressed by anyone who can turn more than one of anything and have them look the least bit alike!

[JOHN VITOSKY]

Hey Joash can you link us to what you have found online for directions?

[Gilbert Vega]

I have turned three sets so far using just a picture as a guide. here's are some pics of my last set.

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k240/00lightning/chesspieces3.jpg?t=1165977324

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k240/00lightning/chesspieces4.jpg?t=1165977400