Thread: Chess Set in rare Tassie timbers

Originally Posted by Chris Lacey

It is always nice to get positive feedback on your work; I guess this feeeling is multiplied many times for someone has a chronic disease like Parkinson's. so thanks you all members who have responded. If anyone has a specific question about the timbers or techniques I use don't hesitate to ask.
cheers
Chris

Chris thanks for the additional photo's of you at work they were not there when I looked earlier like the clamp idea much more stable and for hands which have trouble holding things like I do a top idea even for those with arthritis.

Oh that Myrtle I was surprised with the colour.

Originally Posted by Treecycle

and I can only admire your determination.
I hope we get to see many more examples of your meticulous works and beautiful Tassie timbers.

I have already completed a heap of pieces for the next two sets I am making. Each set will feature the birdseye huon as the light half; the dark pieces will be in tiger myrtle and burl myrtle respectively. I am enjoying doing a completely different design based on the colliseum in Rome and on other roman columns and architecture. This design features a lot of cut-outs; the king for example has fifteen separate cut-outs and represents a cross section through the colliseum ( it is 105mm tall). All the pieces use 38mm sqare timber and especially in the harder woods takes a very slow blade speed and lots of time & patience. When I get a half set finished I will post some pics.
Cheers
Chris

Originally Posted by wheelinround

Chris thanks for the additional photo's of you at work they were not there when I looked earlier like the clamp idea much more stable and for hands which have trouble holding things like I do a top idea even for those with arthritis.

Oh that Myrtle I was surprised with the colour.

The Tassie myrtle is amazing timber; I agree with you. It ranges from the natural pinkish colour of the basic wood, to this deep red in the pics. The Tiger striped version is amazing as well; they think it is the first stage of rot - if they catch it in time it is just amazing; I will include some pics of it soon. The burl can also come in a lighter colour than this dark red and for all the world looks like tree grown marble.
Cheers
Chris

Thanks Chris. It's the design and styling of the pieces which intrigues me.
I've endured some carvers who can see no further than their technique and their tools and that I should abandon all and become of one of them. Wrong.

You "carve" with a scroll saw? No kidding! This I need to see.
Your endurance in the face of challenges is admirable.

Onya Chris Amazing craftsmanship. I'm in the market for a chess set, especially hand crafted from beautiful aussie timbers. Let me know if you wish to sell a set.

Originally Posted by AlexS

Absolutely beautiful work!

I just had a look at your facebook pics - the significance of your fedback just went up a huge amount when I saw your work; it is magnificent.
Thanks
Chris

Originally Posted by Robson Valley

Thanks Chris. It's the design and styling of the pieces which intrigues me.
I've endured some carvers who can see no further than their technique and their tools and that I should abandon all and become of one of them. Wrong.

You "carve" with a scroll saw? No kidding! This I need to see.
Your endurance in the face of challenges is admirable.

Technically I use a scroll saw to "cut" rather than carve the chess pieces. As I mentioned in an earlier reply, the pieces are from 38mm square based timber, so it is not easy to cut. The harder timbers like the burl myrtle are especially difficult. The latest blades I have found that do a good job are "Super Sharp #9" that I get from the US (PS Wood Machines - PS Wood Machines).
As far as the design is concerned, I purchased a book "Making Wooden Chess Sets" by Jim Kape; it includes basic info on the techniques that need to be mastered to successfully compound cut chess pieces on a scroll saw. It also includes about a dozen of so different designs, many of them based on the architecture in major cities around the world. The Roman set I am currently working on is unbelievable.

Check out the PICS forum in the next day or so - I will post a photo or two of some of pieces I have finished.

Chris

Originally Posted by MBM888

Onya Chris Amazing craftsmanship. I'm in the market for a chess set, especially hand crafted from beautiful aussie timbers. Let me know if you wish to sell a set.

The answer is yes. Obviously it all takes time. I am sending you a private email so we can talk detail privately.
Chris