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Y'all may recall the first set I posted a while back. This is wobble chess set # 3. ( and 2 ).............I stole the idea from a set made by Umbra which you can buy for $250. I wish I knew how it was made but since it was manufactured in China, I doubt that solid wood was used for the board. But it was such a cool concept, I just had to figure out how to make one myself. I think mine is a little bit nicer. I have a blog on how I set up a jig and cut the square pieces for the board….................Purpleheart and maple, brass half balls on the bottoms. The pieces stand straighter and firmer by grinding about a 1/8" dia. flat spot on the bottoms. I turned the playing pieces in pairs as a spindle and separated them in the middle…...........As always, sanding is the most labor intensive and least favorite task in the build process. I made sanding drums out of plywood discs then sanded each square after the glue up. I've got around 40 hrs.+ or - in the project. About 10 hrs. of that was sanding….......For the finish on the board I used a few coats of zinsers seal coat shellac. This left the board too glossy so I top coated with spray on satin lacquer. Playing pieces finished with spray on shellac…..The board is 16" square, 1.75" thick and very heavy. Put tapered legs on the bottom just inside the border to elevate 3/4". Maybe next time I'll try a flat board.

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Comments

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13 Posts
That is a very nice chess set. If a had that I would want to play every day.
 

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4,124 Posts
You are one talented ( fill in the blank)!

I was thinking about a chess board that might be different. and dam here it is! Nice.
 

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122 Posts
This is one of chess sets that pops out of many. Beautiful and unusual design features. Are there any problems with balancing figurines?
 

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That is one very cool chess board design. You did great work on it and everything about it looks top notch.
 

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31 Posts
I'm a longtime chessplayer, but I have never seen a wobble chess set. Do the pieces wobble? Does that play some role in the game?

Looks cool!
 

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37 Posts
Looks like Weebles from the days of old. Very nice set.
 

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Thanks guys for the comments and compliments. Yes they wobble but I flattened the bottoms slightly so that they regain their stance fairly quick. Without the flat spot they sway if you breathe on them.
 

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2,671 Posts
Those are one really cool project and well done I need to add.
 

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That is so cool, Jim. It looks like the pieces will rock when you set them down on a square which looks like it is dipped in. Great effect!!
 

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This is a cool design and idea. Sanding is always the greatest chore, but it can make or break a project.
 

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Spectacular!! "weebles wobble, but they don't fall down"
 

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73 Posts
Very nice. I love this idea.
 

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Not sure why or how someone thought of this but I LOVE IT ! This is so different and cool. I have to make one now. Great post….. Great work as well.
 

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3 Posts
Awesome. I started to giggle as soon as I saw the title and I was equally surprised after I saw the project.
I must have missed the first 2 boards you made so this was a first time sighting of this very clever creation.
Well done.
 

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7 Posts
Really beautiful!
 

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732 Posts
Quite unique Jim. Shows a lot of patience.
 
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