My Dad will turn 80 this fall. I have been working on a project for his birthday. The entire project is a chess set, board and table. This is a tough project to photograph. I’ll be taking it to a site later this week that will offer better lighting conditions and back ground. But for now here are some pictures.
The Table is Poplar-The finish is flat black enamel with Black Lacquer. The corner pediments are all brass-except the top sphere-which is a maple wood ball with Gold enamel and Clear Lacquer.
I turned the chess pieces from aluminum. The board is maple and walnut.
The bases for the nights are actually-cold rolled steel. I cut the aluminum horse profiles on a bandsaw then finished the look with files and punches…
I had hoped to make one set from Aluminum and one from Brass- the brass costs were just too far from my budget. So I made both sets from aluminum and finished them in enamel..The dark set was sprayed flat black first then “dusted” with the gold….I like the bronze tone that resulted…..Thanks for looking….
Alan
16 comments so far
Greg Wurst
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716 posts in 724 days
posted 516 days ago
Exquisite! Your dad should love it.
-- You're a unique and special person, just like everyone else.
davidtheboxmaker
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372 posts in 697 days
posted 516 days ago
What a fantastic gift.
John Gray
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1748 posts in 777 days
posted 516 days ago
BEAUTIFUL can’t wait to see more pictures!
-- Only the Shadow knows....................
Todd A. Clippinger
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5632 posts in 991 days
posted 516 days ago
Greg Wurst beat me to it – Exquisite! Superb craftsmanship and finely detailed.
A most excellent job!
-- Todd A. Clippinger, Montana, http://amcraftsman.com
TedM
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1840 posts in 624 days
posted 516 days ago
Wow! What word can I use to descibe this? Mmmm… exquisite! that’s it! Very nice, I especially like the chessmen, ‘er, chesspersons, ah, chess pieces… :)
-- I'm a wood magician... I can turn fine lumber into firewood before your very eyes! - http://www.woodworkersguide.com
Karson
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25794 posts in 1292 days
posted 516 days ago
Great combo. Nice job.
-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †
Scott Bryan
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20538 posts in 714 days
posted 516 days ago
This is one of the finest sets I have seen. Your father will treasure it.
-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.
trifern
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7894 posts in 659 days
posted 516 days ago
Wow! That is a gorgeous chess set. Thank you for sharing.
-- My favorite piece is my last one, my best piece is my next one.
ChicoWoodnut
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895 posts in 707 days
posted 516 days ago
I like it. Now let them do battle ;)
-- Scott - Chico California http://chicowoodnut.home.comcast.net
mthomp0725
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36 posts in 530 days
posted 516 days ago
If these pics don’t do it justice I’d like to see the new ones! What a beautiful project. Great job! Your Dad will love it.
-- He who hesitates is lost...
dennis mitchell
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3791 posts in 1206 days
posted 516 days ago
Very nice!
-- http://www.woodsongsfurniture.com
Grumpy
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14914 posts in 743 days
posted 515 days ago
Excellent work Alan. A great acquisition for your dad.
-- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python
Alan Young
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57 posts in 612 days
posted 515 days ago
Thank you all my friends here at Lumberjocks for your kind words. I live 900 miles away from Dad and the rest of my family, so travel back home has become even more precious with gas pricing etc.
I am looking forward to delivering this in a few months.
Alan
GaryK
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9521 posts in 880 days
posted 515 days ago
Excellent job! Amazing craftsmanship.
-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.
EdC
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457 posts in 732 days
posted 494 days ago
Alan,
You do such wonderfull work, with such intense detail, very much a labor of love.
You Dad is very lucky, what a b’day present!!
How did you join the horse’s body to the steel base? epoxy?
-- Ed - Milan, IN
Alan Young
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57 posts in 612 days
posted 494 days ago
Ed- The horse heads have an 8-32 tapped hole and are attached with a screw that is inserted through the base.
Alan