| Project by dustynewt | posted 393 days ago | 532 views | 3 times favorited | 13 comments |  |
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Recently, I was helping my mom with the tremendous task of sorting through my dad’s stuff. Ralph was a Disney vet and collector extraordinaire. He had well over a thousand chess sets along with masses of other games, books on games, artwork, Disney memorabilia and other neat stuff. He loved to have fun.
Cool, wooden boxes abounded everywhere. From plain, slide top container boxes to Victorian compendiums with their secret drawers, doors and lids. It was in one of the former that I discovered something that was familiar. A set I had made for him about twenty-five years ago when I was touring the mall circuits around the country making my bandsaw names, signs and keychains.
This set was carved completely on the bandsaw out of oak and mahogany I salvaged from the building/rehab of the Cheyenne Saloon at Church Street Station in Orlando. The finish, I don’t remember what I used (probably Krylon Crystal Clear) has darkened so that it is hard to distinguish oak from mahogany during play. The pieces are a little rougher than the work I do now. But it surprised me to see it after all these years. Ralph loved the set as he loved all the stuff he collected and it wound up in this non-descript little box, safe and sound.
My mom gave it back to me along with the neat roll-up board, circa 1890, you see in the pics. I miss old Ralphee-Boy.
-- Please visit me at http://dustynewt.com
13 comments so far
lew
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4482 posts in 648 days
posted 393 days ago
As you can tell, he cherished it. I am sure he was/is proud of you !
Nice set and wonderful story.
Douglas Bordner
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3421 posts in 957 days
posted 393 days ago
Scott,
Thanks for posting these. The story and the chessmen made my Sunday. Sounds like you come very honestly by your love of boxes. Best to you.
Douglas
-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.
Napaman
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3482 posts in 970 days
posted 393 days ago
Great, great story…thank you.
-- Matt, Napa, CA...fun is beautiful...just trying to have some fun...
John Gray
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1751 posts in 779 days
posted 393 days ago
Great job and story!!! Could/would you post some pictures of some of the other wood things he collected, the box with the secret drawer sounds neat too.
-- Only the Shadow knows....................
Douglas Bordner
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3421 posts in 957 days
posted 393 days ago
Scott,
Thanks for posting these. The story and the chessmen made my Sunday. Sounds like you come very honestly by your love of boxes. Best to you.
Douglas
-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.
TedM
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1843 posts in 626 days
posted 393 days ago
Great story, great project. A thousand memmories no doubt! Here’s to Ralph!
-- I'm a wood magician... I can turn fine lumber into firewood before your very eyes! - http://www.woodworkersguide.com
Woodhacker
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1145 posts in 616 days
posted 393 days ago
I’m sure your father loved this set! You did a great job on it and thanks for the story behind it.
I the design of the pieces. For some reason especially the pawns…I think it’s because they look like the knob on infill planes.
Thanks for posting it.
-- Martin, Kansas
Russel
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2056 posts in 832 days
posted 393 days ago
This is the perfect example of why woodworking is particularly special. Something made years ago, given as a gift that returns full of history and cherished memories. Great story and very cool that the set came back to you.
-- When you give someone a chance it may well be their last.
dustynewt
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447 posts in 755 days
posted 393 days ago
Thank you all for your comments.
John Gray – Alas, no. Most of the better boxes have been sent to auction to help pay off her bills. Next time I am over there I’ll try to remember the camera to get some shots of things she couldn’t part with.
-- Please visit me at http://dustynewt.com
BarryW
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872 posts in 800 days
posted 393 days ago
Great story…and a great little chess set.
-- /\/\/\ BarryW /\/\/\ Stay so busy you don't have time to die.
pashley
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525 posts in 611 days
posted 392 days ago
Really cool!
-- http://newmissionworkshop.com
jwarner75
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251 posts in 367 days
posted 365 days ago
Pretty Sweet Chess Set, you make that with a Band Saw?
Did you design your own pieces?
Give me the specs! :)
-- Jimmy "Handi" Warner, http://jwarner75.etsy.com, http://handisworkshop.blogspot.com
dustynewt
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447 posts in 755 days
posted 365 days ago
Handi,
The pieces are all freehand carved with the bandsaw. Once I got the king (about 3’tall) formed, I just scaled and similarly formed the other pieces. Keep in mind that I have freehand cut tens of thousands of names, keychains and signs doing mall shows and fairs around the country. My “old school” Craftsman 12” (circa 1978) would be my tool of choice if I could have no other.
-- Please visit me at http://dustynewt.com