Thread: Staunton Chess Set

Hi all,


Here is the next installment for you.
The pictorial version of the Queen for my Staunton inspired Chess Set.


<!--[if !supportLists]-->1.The Blank, mounted backwards, so I may bore a mortise for my screw chuck and the weight that will give the chess pieces ballast.
Queen (16).jpg

Preparing the blank, squaring the end with theparting tool. Under cutting to ensure that piece sits flat and plumb. Base isleft with tool marks for gluing of felt. (yet to source any ideas?)
Queen (17).jpg


<!--[if !supportLists]-->3.Using the Jacob’s Chuck to drill a pilot-hole for the screw to hold the blank on the screw chuck. And counter boring with a 13mm bit to accommodate steel bar that will be used as a weight. The bar will be<12mm to allow for possible shrinkage of the timber in the future.

Queen (23).jpg Queen (7).jpg Queen (11).jpg

Reversing the Blank onto the screw chuck.
Queen (14).jpg


<!--[if !supportLists]-->5.<!--[endif]-->Owing to the “home made” nature of the screw chuck and remounting the blank it needs to be trued again, <1mm though, it’s no biggie but it is a little annoying.
Queen (13).jpg


<!--[if !supportLists]-->6.<!--[endif]-->I use the parting tool in one hand and the calipers in the other to quickly size the correct diameter for the base (and all others for that matter)
Queen (5).jpg


<!--[if !supportLists]-->7.Then I begin, marking significant features, “V”cuts, tops of beads, coves etc.
Queen (21).jpg Queen (25).jpg Queen (2).jpg Queen (9).jpg Queen (6).jpg Queen (10).jpg
Queen (3).jpg Queen (26).jpg IMG_4203.jpg IMG_4204.jpg IMG_4205.jpg IMG_4207.jpg


<!--[if !supportLists]-->8.Needed to stop and re grind the skew, as it’s the best tool for this job, thus, it gets the most work.
IMG_4208.jpg IMG_4209.jpg IMG_4210.jpg

Now for the trickier bit, the crown.
IMG_4213.jpg IMG_4214.jpg IMG_4216.jpg IMG_4217.jpg IMG_4219.jpg IMG_4220.jpg

I have marked my lathe's spindle and head end with a permanent marker in 8 locations that arepretty close to equal, this is the easiest “Indexing” for simple divisions like½ ¼ 8^th’s that I’ve come across. Just have to use the tool rest as asteady for marking the locations.
IMG_4221.jpg IMG_4222.jpg

Using a triangular file to start the coves for the crown is the easiest way, I the widen them with a chainsaw file and finally a rat-tail rasp that’s so old it’s like a dull file, and I widen the coves just like filling saw teeth, until they reach a peak.
IMG_4223.jpg IMG_4225.jpg IMG_4226.jpg


Some sanding, some stain and Ubeaut Shellawax.
IMG_4227.jpg IMG_4228.jpg
Pretty close, sanding on the second queen was a little over zealous so i lots some detail on the crown.

Done.
Kings next.

Thanks for all the pictorials.

re felt - Spotlight or similar sewing shop should have quite a variety - though it is a bit harder to get the thinner tighter grain stuff. Another option would be to get hold of flocking powder (google will turn up a number of sources) - which is also useful for the insides of jewellery boxes.

You could try one of the billiard table companies they will have offcuts you may get cheap, much better quality.

Yes, that's an idea. Thanks pictureman.
heavy weight cloth sounds like just the ticket... Do you reckon that they will sell it in 50mm squares? hahahaha!
Thanks Quark6, Spotlight will be a good back up,

oh, I just had an idea, what do you all think about fine suede? as in the real leather stuff. I've spent so long on these bad boys that they deserve a little more than flocking powder.

Hi steven,
Wow,,,,, you are doing a great job on the chessmen....
I was just reading this month, s woodturning mag
and a guy has turned a chess set, he sandwiched
leather pieces between 2 off cuts of timber and
"turned " several pieces of leather at once to the
correct size, thought you might find it of interest

Lumber Bunker - great work and tutorial.
smiife - sandwich turning leather between timber offcuts between centers...that's a great trick !!
Thanks for posting that.
John

Yes, i like the idea of turning the leather squished between some blocks.

OK I have a problem, help!

I need an order of operation, cause it's not working...

So i turned my king. (no trouble there, it basically a giant pawn ;-)
They it came time to turn the finial, it's tiny!
and whilst I did OK to start with... Well, see pictures, it sucked.

King 1.jpgKing 2.jpgKing 3.jpg

How would you guys handle this one?

Steve

How are you turning them? Finials must be cut, not scraped, and very carefully so the grain and piece are supported

Neil,
started with blank held in chuck and supported with live center
turnned tapered tenon
V cuts with skew to establish beads
V cuts for wings
all good till this point... Still in the round
cut it off, with skew ( I think this was the begining of my down fall)
Held the tiny piece in my giant fist and used my block plane, to reduce each side to flat. All was going well but it got very fragile and blew out...

haven't managed to find a similar operation performed on YouTube or the like just yet either.

I see that you got pass the turning stage.

How about using sand paper to flatted the crown. Does the crown need to be flat, why not leave it round.

Been thinking... (Yes it can hurt sometimes).

What about I start with a C.12mm (finished width 12mm) square stock. Like a pen blank.
Turn one end down, so it may be mounted in my Jacob's Chuck.
Whilst still square, cut a section out like I was making a cross halving joint, on both sides to finished thickness.
Support with live center and turn...

Will try tonight?

Sand paper was interesting, but a combination of too rough, or too slow, (my problem not the sandpaper's) pushed me to use the block plane, which was going well until.

Second Attempt at the King's Finial... Rubbish, but getting closer.

Third attempt i cheated!
Here is the third attempt.

Doesn't look any good but It'll be one of the options... to poke someone in the eye! Chess can get pretty heated in our house.

Finial 2.jpgFinial 3.jpg

Slight German solider look to it... It's growing on me.

I am not sure on this option, seems a little plain.

How about something similar to what you did with the queen and then the point on that?