| Project by GaryK | posted 533 days ago | 4828 views | 25 times favorited | 47 comments | ![]() |
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I’ve had one of these on my list of things to make for a long time now. It ended up being easier and harder than I thought it would be.
I thought the hard part would be to make the board field wedge pieces. But I made a little jig that made it very easy.
This one is set for 11 degrees. I just had to make a 5 1/2 degree cut on one end of each board first. Then I just flipped it over after each cut.
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The rotate it 90 degrees for cutting the wedges to length.
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The wedges are made from Brazilian Boxwood and Wenge. The middle of the field is quilted maple with a bloodwood border on each side. The case is made from curly maple with a Indonesian Madrone Burl veneer covering it. The splines are also Wenge.
The protect the corners I used brass, and a pair of brass handles to carry it. You can’t see it in the pictures but there are two brass latches to keep it closed.
The dice are made from solid Gabon Ebony with the dots drilled and filled with white paint. The pieces are also boxwood and wenge. I had extra milled up so I used it.
The size is 19 1/2” x 23” and 2 1/2 thick.
To line the pockets I used crushed velvet.
I used the following techinque: http://lumberjocks.com/jocks/GaryK/blog/4858
The hard part was the engineering that went into it. Everything had to be in proportion. The diameter of the pieces had to be a little smaller then the width at the bottoms of the wedges. It also effected the length of the wedges which had to be about 5 times diameter of the pieces.
The diameter of the pieces also determines the thickness of the case. and the piece thickness determined the length of the pocket they are stored in.
Basically you start backwards and determine the size of your playing pieces before anything.
-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.































47 comments so far
Napaman
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3482 posts in 969 days
posted 533 days ago
wow…gary…very cool…but I have figured it out…your really not “gary”...there is no way that you could produce such high quality work at such a rapid rate…
you must be santa claus…and you have a team of elves to help…
-- Matt, Napa, CA...fun is beautiful...just trying to have some fun...
PaBull
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292 posts in 557 days
posted 533 days ago
I enjoy watching the project coming out of your shop one after an other. This is very nice!
-- http://www.twinoaksgrowers.com
Karson
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25794 posts in 1292 days
posted 533 days ago
Gary: Great looking board and great tutorial on the design that went into it.
-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †
dennis mitchell
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3791 posts in 1206 days
posted 533 days ago
Another beautiful job!
-- http://www.woodsongsfurniture.com
TomFran
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2509 posts in 886 days
posted 533 days ago
That is a beautiful board, and the contrasting woods are fabulous. Nice work, Gary.
-- Tom, Surfside Beach, SC - Romans 8:28
coloradoclimber
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448 posts in 960 days
posted 533 days ago
wow, that is beautiful Gary. I made a much simpler backgammon board for one of my kids years ago, not nearly as superb as this one. Makes me want to go back and think about trying again. You’ve sure set the bar high with this one.
Daren Nelson
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529 posts in 797 days
posted 533 days ago
Man, that sure is pretty.Hmm, makes me think with the right wood/craftsmanship how many boardgames could be made into heirlooms ?
-- Urban logger, http://nelsonwoodworks.biz/
Bob #2
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3033 posts in 913 days
posted 533 days ago
Man, Gary you get nice results.
Bob
-- A mind, like a home, is furnished by its owner
teenagewoodworker
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2479 posts in 660 days
posted 533 days ago
thats really cool Gary! i love the selection of all the different species of woods there, thanks for the post.
BertJ
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49 posts in 590 days
posted 533 days ago
Gary, you got way too much time on your hands, dude! What a fabulous project, and the engineering is superb. As you describe it, the tough part was designing it so everything would fit. But I have a question. Why are you using Oreo cookies for playing pieces?
Great job—beautiful craftsmanship and lovely wood. What more could one ask for?
Grumpy
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14914 posts in 743 days
posted 533 days ago
Very nice job Gary. How’s your game skill ?.
-- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python
Betsy
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2388 posts in 788 days
posted 533 days ago
You never cease to amaze me. You are one very talented fellow. I hope you have passed a little of your talent to your daughter—- when she starts stacking those little wooden blocks—- let us know how she does!
-- You can't get a hug from Facebook.
CharlieM1958
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7599 posts in 1110 days
posted 533 days ago
Wow!
After throwing this thing together this afternoon, what will you do with the rest of the weekend? <g>
-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"
TomK
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503 posts in 766 days
posted 533 days ago
Gary, you never cease to amaze me with the speed at which you come up with and craft such great projects.
Awesome job! It also looks like you’ve overcome your photography issues. The photos are great too.
-- If you think healthcare is expensive now, wait until it's free! PJ O'Rourke
jockmike2
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7297 posts in 1138 days
posted 533 days ago
Very cool Gary, My son plays but I don’t he says it s a lot of fun. Great Idea, and work. mike
-- Mike. mwurm13@yahoo.com
dlcarver
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260 posts in 622 days
posted 533 days ago
WOW!!!!!!! Need I say more Gary?
FANTASTIC…DAVE
-- Dave Leitem,Butler,Pa.,http://dlcarver.etsy.com
jjohn
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391 posts in 606 days
posted 532 days ago
After seeing your talents with some of your other projects it’s no surprise to me that you would produce this in a short period of time. As usual, really looks great.
-- JJohn
Tim Pursell
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388 posts in 674 days
posted 532 days ago
I’ve had one of these on my list of things to make for a long time now too. I hope when I get to it, it comes out looking as great as yours. Can you elaborate on how you made the pieces? Do you have two colors of dice?
Not too many Backgammon players around my neck of the woods anymore. We had an informal group that would host a get together once a month at a local watering hole, but the place burned down & I have yet to find another. I enjoy the game. Thanks for sharing. Now I’ll have to move my set further up the “to do” list.
-- http://www.grandprairiewoodworks.com http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6453794
Lee A. Jesberger
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3710 posts in 871 days
posted 532 days ago
Hi Gary;
Masterful work as always.
Simply beautiful.
Lee
-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com
Tony
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812 posts in 922 days
posted 532 days ago
Fantastic looking project – very professional
-- Tony - All things are possible, just some things are more difficult than others! - SKYPE: Heron2005 (http://www.poydatjatuolit.fi)
wpreman
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1486 posts in 604 days
posted 532 days ago
Another beautiful piece Gary. Great job, thanks for the post!
-- Bill, Florida
John Fry
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73 posts in 592 days
posted 532 days ago
Wow, Gary.
Great job, great attention to detail, a beautiful backgammon set. And making your own dice???....Geez, man, you’re too much.
-- John, Chisel and Bit Custom Crafted Furniture, www.chiselandbit.com
USCJeff
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899 posts in 960 days
posted 532 days ago
You can sure crank out some fast fine pieces. I spend forever maing the cuts and then twice as long fixing the sure to come mistake. You must have a pretty good handle and a lot of experience on techniques.
-- Jeff, South Carolina
Mike Lingenfelter
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457 posts in 1006 days
posted 532 days ago
Yes very nice indeed. A Backgammon board is on my list of projects too. I had envisioned using a jig like your, on my project. It’s nice to see how it all comes together,
-- http://theinquisitivewoodworker.com/
lew
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4474 posts in 647 days
posted 532 days ago
Beautiful Work, Gary!!!!
Lew
DAN
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6438 posts in 875 days
posted 532 days ago
another fantastic posting … true class act
-- work from your heart and your spirit will live forever
Woodhacker
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1145 posts in 615 days
posted 532 days ago
Gary, I can’t think of any thing else to say that hasn’t already been said.
Another incredible project! That looks like you had a lot of fun building. Thanks for showing it.
-- Martin, Kansas
Blake
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2755 posts in 766 days
posted 532 days ago
IN… credible. My dad would love this too. I’m gonna show it to him. He always used to play backgammon with me when I was a kid.
-- Check out my new website! http://www.blakeweberwoodworking.com
Davesfunwoodworking
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259 posts in 767 days
posted 532 days ago
Now I really like this one. Wow what a great job. Very nice I want to do work like this some day…...WOW!!!!!
-- Davesfunwoodworking
thetimberkid
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1944 posts in 595 days
posted 532 days ago
Great job!
Thanks for the post
Callum
-- For wood working podcasts with a twist check out http://thetimberkid.com/
Russel
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2057 posts in 831 days
posted 532 days ago
Gary, I look at your stuff and I simply don’t know what to say anymore. Beautiful, amazing, fantastic all seem underwhelming. Your work is top notch and motivation to keep learning.
-- When you give someone a chance it may well be their last.
ND2ELK
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6136 posts in 666 days
posted 532 days ago
Hi Gary
Exquisite detail and design. You did a beautiful job on this piece. You are a trure craftsman of your craft. Thanks for posting.
God Bless
tom
-- Mc Bridge Cabinets, Iowa
SteveKorz
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2030 posts in 606 days
posted 531 days ago
Wow… something like that would take me three months… of measuring!... Great post!
-- As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17) †
trifern
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7894 posts in 659 days
posted 531 days ago
Beautiful game Gary. Thanks for the detailed tutorial.
-- My favorite piece is my last one, my best piece is my next one.
bfd
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418 posts in 699 days
posted 531 days ago
Gary,
Your work is just spectacular! Beautiful!
-- Brian, Folsom, CA http://www.brianfullerdesigns.com
spoonman
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39 posts in 531 days
posted 531 days ago
Wow, inspiring. Simply Amazing.
-- I came, I saw, I pondered...
grovemadman
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558 posts in 664 days
posted 531 days ago
Pretty nice Gary!
-- --Chuck
griff
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921 posts in 654 days
posted 531 days ago
Another magnificent build, another demonstration of a master craftsman, great job
-- Mike, Bruce Mississippi = Jack of many trades master of none
dustynewt
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446 posts in 754 days
posted 527 days ago
Great game board and well presented project. My brother has been after me to make him a custom backgammon board and I’ve been pondering the angles. Now I have no excuse. Thanks a lot.
-- Please visit me at http://dustynewt.com
dewoodwork
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111 posts in 848 days
posted 527 days ago
Holey cow! That is one fine backgammon board. My father and I spent many hours at the game. After seeing yours I shall add it to my some day list.
-- Express creativity with wood, Dewayne. Vacaville CA.
Scott Bryan
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20538 posts in 714 days
posted 527 days ago
Gary,
I apologize for taking so long to get to your project but I have simply been unable to keep up. This is a nice piece. As usual it shows your inventiveness and attention to detail. This is truly a family heirloom and a one-of-a-kind set. Well done!!
By the way I like your idea with using the sled for the wedge pieces. I may have to “borrow” this idea.
Thanks for the post.
-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.
steve1627
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10 posts in 558 days
posted 504 days ago
Awesome project Gary!
-- Steve, Carrollton, TX
ChuckV
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79 posts in 419 days
posted 418 days ago
Gary – I am new here and just came across this amazing piece of work. You did a wonderful job designing and building this project.
-- Chuck - Central Massachusetts
Woodwrecker
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488 posts in 467 days
posted 413 days ago
All I can say Gary, is you have some mighty good skills!!!
-- Eric
motthunter
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2079 posts in 691 days
posted 312 days ago
makes me want to play
-- making sawdust....
James Frederick
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14 posts in 612 days
posted 286 days ago
Gary this was great. I also have wanted to make a backgammon board, but it seemed a little overwhelming. Thanks to your tutorial, you have given me the push to get it started.
thanks.
-- James F., San Antonio TX.
GaryK
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9521 posts in 880 days
posted 276 days ago
James – Be sure to post it when you are done!
-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.