Bleaching maple?

[Ken Fitzgerald]

I want to turn a chess set. I've seen the result of the vinegar steel wool to get the black set. I saw somewhere that a guy had bleached maple to acquire a white piece of wood for this Christmas ornament. Is anyone acquainted with bleaching maple? What is used and how does one do it?

Thanks!

[Lee Schierer]

I've never done it, but google found this how to do article.

[John K Jordan]

I like the 2-part wood bleach. I haven’t tried it on maple.
I don’t have this brand but the brand is reputable: https://www.amazon.com/Zinsser-30045.../dp/B01MXDS72Z

Holly can also be quite white of you can find it. Otherwise I’d look for white sugar (hard) maple - some I’ve cut and dried for turning was whiter than others.

Are you going to make “traditional” Staunton pieces or something else? I have a book by Mike Darlow, Turned Chessmen, that has lots of ideas.

BTW i’ve added weights to wood in two ways: one, drilled holes and poured in molten lead, the other easier, fill hole with fine lead shot and epoxy.

JKJ

I want to turn a chess set. I've seen the result of the vinegar steel wool to get the black set. I saw somewhere that a guy had bleached maple to acquire a white piece of wood for this Christmas ornament. Is anyone acquainted with bleaching maple? What is used and how does one do it?

Thanks!

[Ken Fitzgerald]

In my former profession, planning and research before starting a particular task was everything. Even now, being retired for 11 years, I research everything. Why I didn't Google this before I started this post is beyond me. Could it be my age? LOL!

Lee, 5 minutes after I started this thread, I googled, found and read that article. Thanks!

John, thanks for the name of the book and the author! I will see if I can find and buy it! I can always use ideas!

Thanks for the help guys!

[John K Jordan]

…
John, thanks for the name of the book and the author! I will see if I can find and buy it! I can always use ideas!
…

Amazon carries the book, price high but not too bad for a used copy, insane for a new copy.
https://www.amazon.com/Turned-Chessm.../dp/1565232593

I think I have every book that Mike Darlow and Richard Raffan have written, several copies of some to lend to students, etc. Two of my favorite turning authors.

I remember seeing chessmen designs in one of my other books but would have to look through some to find them.

JKJ

[Ken Fitzgerald]

I saw that and sucked a deep breath. I haven't read any of Raffan's books, but I have several of his DVDs. My favorite turning author was Keith Rowley who died a couple years ago. I really enjoyed his way of explaining why and how.

Thanks. I will grovel for the wife and maybe get it as a Christmas present! Of course, I might buy it for her like a did a rifle scope when I was still elk hunting. I am glad she has a sense of humor!

[John K Jordan]

I saw that and sucked a deep breath. …

Amazon has another listing for the book for about $140.

My copy was $18 new in 2008. Probably it’s not in print now and copies are getting harder to find. In that case I usually buy used if available.

I like Rowley too, especially his book Woodturning, A Foundation Course. People who don’t turn spindles but only bowls would do well to read what he says about that!

Hey, I just found this with another search, new for $25, used for 14 + shipping:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1565233735