Thread: Turning Chesspieces

Originally Posted by mickelmaster

But wont that make the pieces ive already done look wierd? I was also hoping to finish it with danish oil to learn new techniques.

It's one of those things where you'd want to do a test-piece to see; if you want quality you gotta expect a bit of extra work. [shrug] Mind you, I'd prefer the Danish Oil myself... I only use CA when necessary and rarely as a finish.

I think the main reason it splintered is because im using a very coarse toothed saw, trying to find a finer one but no luck so far.

That'd explain it. Surely your class has a fine-toothed dovetail or tenon saw? (I'd use my dozuki, 'cos I got one! )

I finished my other Rooks today, spent 3 of my 4 lessons doing manual arts so it was good. Found a mitre saw that worked quite well, though not completely straight it didnt chip the pieces. I also found that all the rooks are different heights cant tell unless they are next to eachother though so I dont mind, and unfortunately even though i would like to spend more time on each piece, I dont have time to spare, still have to make the board and drawer yet, besides the other 19 pieces.

Todays work, made 7 pawns and a knight, 2 pawns broke and I stuffed up the knight.

Michael, never mind, you're doing fine.

I assume you are using a template for the pawns and calipers?

One of the masters here on the board measures 24/7. His lathe goes on and off, on and off, always checking. (Ken W's idea of a "long way off" is .1 of a mill. Anal, isn't it?)

I've also heard it said that you must make dozens of pawns to get a good set, so don't despair. And I'm looking forward to your board too.

Jeff

I have an original pawn, yes, but am currently trying to make an original Knight and its proving to be a hard task. I had a couple more pawns break on me yeterday, maybe 4 in total but 2 i could save and hand sanded the ball to a close enough shpae for me, if it looks kind of out atleast you know I made it In furniture and the like im alot pickier though so dont worry, its just that i dont have time or timber to make a excellent chess set but more a satisfactory one, i dont mind, after all its my first time properly on a lathe eg. not just making a straight pole. Thank you everyone for your kind comments and suggestions, youve been of much help.

mike your teacher ( being teachers ) might not have told you but when spindle turning you go from the large down hill to the small diameter . You cut down hill all the time , or you will get grain pull and tear out . Sorry guys but it is a beginners problem .

I dont quite know what your saying? Is it that i will have a tendancy to taper the piece? Sharp tools and more time sanding has helped reduce the tear out but they are still quite dodgy tools, I think the reason both pawns broke is because i was turning a piece that was too long and the grain is very rough close to the centre of this piece of wood at the moment.

Ill be sure to get better pictures of all the pieces and my other projects too when i get my hands on a digital camera.

"Cutting downhill" means cutting in such a way that the grain is always supported by the underlying grain. Otherwise the edge of the tool is lifting the grain, causing tearout. (It's the same when using a handplane. With grain sloping one way the wood planes nicely, but cut "against" the grain & the plane digs in and tears out chunks.)

eg. when cutting a bead, you start at the centre (or "top") of the bead and cut down one side, then return to the top and cut the other side.

When cutting a cove, you start at the side and cut to the middle, then move to the other side and cut to the middle.

You should try to avoid just cutting from one side to the other side in one move.

Originally Posted by mickelmaster

Todays work, made 7 pawns and a knight, 2 pawns broke and I stuffed up the knight.

Stuffing up a few just means you're getting better. Starting to push the bounderies. Gotta know where the edge is.

Thanks Skew, once again , i knew about the beads, but didnt know it applied to the coves too. It wasnt that ive gone any smaller or anything, i just have a longer piece to start with because im making so many its easier to do one after the other instead of having to do them all individually, but i dont think I have much choice, im on school holidays so havent done anything this week, next week is still holidays but im doing work experience at a furniture making place in currumbin, I cant wait, even though ill probably just be cleaning or something.

Originally Posted by mickelmaster

next week is still holidays but im doing work experience at a furniture making place in currumbin, I cant wait, even though ill probably just be cleaning or something.

Hey! Sounds good! I bet there's someone there that would help you, too. (And ya learn a lot just by watching. )

Indeed, I dont think they do much woodturning though, they specialise in the old school roll top desks, and then some more contemparay furniture I guess. Have a look. Click Here

Originally Posted by mickelmaster

Indeed, I dont think they do much woodturning though, they specialise in the old school roll top desks, and then some more contemparay furniture I guess. Have a look. Click Here

Not inspired by roll top desks, but the other stuff looks pretty specky.