Woodturning a Chess Set - The Knights
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- Опубликовано: 7 фев 2025
- As a woodturning beginner, I thought I'd document my attempt to make a chess set. In this episode, I make a knight. Even though I sped up a lot of the video - it's still kinda long. The knights had many more steps than the other pieces!
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wacthing your process. impressed. i am 61 yr old dialysis patient. ive been on dialysis since jan 2003. loved carpentry, chess and a guitarist over 50 yrs and because of the kidney disease and the bother conditions that occur I am no suffering with trigger finger making all those activities extremely painful. i appreciate your dedication and pray that God give you the strength to continue with what we love. God bless you sir
regards
juan colon
Thank you so much for your kind words. Thanks for watching!
Amazing work, even after all these years your craftmanship deserves recognition! Very instructive, too. Thanks for sharing, James!
Much appreciated! Thanks for watching!
Jim,enjoying your videos. I'm a native Coloradoan who now lives in FL. I had to sell much of my woodworking machines when I moved so I'm getting into wood turning after buying a used mini Jet lathe. Learning through You Tube. thanks for showing your process of turning
Dan Hamilton Thanks Dan. Me too - learning by watching the real turners on YT. Having a ball doing it. Thanks for watching!
I made a chess knight by cutting the profile out on a block of wood in the scroll saw, then used double sided tape to re-attache the block together, turned it 90 degrees and cut out the front/back view. I used a dremel to add detail, and then mounted the horse head on a turned base.
Sounds good! Got a pic of it? Thanks for watching!
I was totally mesmerized watching this. I have a wooden chess set and always wondered how they were made. I figured they were made by wood turning, but never saw how it was actually done. Fantastic!
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching!
@@BlackForestDesigns You're very welcome. I always wanted to get into woodworking but never got the chance. The craft has always intrigued me, but traveling and working 60 to 80 hours a week didn't leave any time to pursue it. Closest I got was making scale wooden ship models. Made 4 over about a 7 year period. Now, at age 77 I guess I'll continue to spend my time focusing on playing tournament chess. Hope you continue to pursue this wonderful craft. You're very good at it!
James,
Just to let you know that this inspired me to make a set. It took about a year (on and off) to turn the pieces (in American Black Walnut and Canadian White Maple). I took a similar approach, basing mine off the World Championship set but to a larger size (the board we made separately and has 3" squares). I also embedded some dowels of the reverse colour in the King and Queen so they have a circular dot motif around the body).
All told, I estimated around 80 hours for the pieces (including planning, turning, errors (!), sanding, polishing, etc. Another five hours for the board.
Thanks for your inspiration!
Cheers,
Andy
That's so great! I love these kinds of comments! Congrats on completing the set. Any way I could get a photo? And thanks for watching!
I only learned how to play chess five days ago, and me being the creative type, I felt really inspired to carve my own pieces. This is truly inspiring!
Thanks for watching!
As a young man in school I was in to woodworking. I am now a machinist. I have been a machinist for many of years. i love to art work that can be made with a wood or metal lathe. Now a days i just program the machine to do the work for me. Great video i will be looking up the other videos in the series.
There are at least 3 ways to make a chess knight. I've seen them TOTALLY done on a lathe. In this case, the horse head is a section of a bowl, with the face on the inside, and the back of the head on the outside. The bowl is turned using inside and outside tools, and then a section is cut off with a band saw. Some minor touch up work is done by hand before gluing the head onto a turned base.
I made a knight by drawing the profile and obverse outlines on paper, and then I glued these views onto a square (rectangular?) block of wood. I then cut out the profiles on my scroll saw (though a band saw with a narrow blade would also work) and carefully re-attached the removed slices of wood using double sided scotch tape. I then rotated the work 90 degrees and cut out the obverse sections. The profile slices were pulled off and what remained was the horse head. Some filing and carving is now required, this was done using hand tools and a Dremel with rotary tools. As before, the horse head is then glued onto a turned base.
The third method would be a hybrid of these two, something like what you have done.
It's a pleasure to see the way you work. You make it look as it was as easy thing to do. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for watching!
A woodturning beginner? And you can make a chess set like that? Impeccable!
Jeff Wise I've had a lot of help by watching experienced RUclips woodturners. What a great community! Thanks for watching.
Amazing work, It's always a remarkable moment when the artist carving the knight.
Thanks for it.
Thank you. And thanks for watching!
I enjoy the chess set series and plan on giving it a try. I really appreciate the pleasant music while sanding.
Fabulous work and results. You have astonishing skill for this to be your maiden voyage so to speak, especially with Harbor Freight tools. You are the living proof that buying the best tools is not as great a contributor to results as skill and talent. Jim Bryan
Many thanks! Thanks for watching!
Man this guy just seems like a genuinely nice person. Kudos to you man, keep doing great things!
Thank you for the kind words. And thanks for watching!
thank you, nice work. I have a set planned out in my head, but didn't know how to make my knights, your video has provided the method I needed thank you, now I can get started.
Glad I could help! Thanks for watching!
HI,
Great site. Found it by accident. I have been experimenting with chessmen. Picket up a few good tips. Can’t wait to find the other videos. Always good to watch a craftsman at work, Thanks,
Bill.
William Frankham Wow - appreciate your comments Bill! Post your pieces when you make them! Thanks for watching!
Your video was the first too pop up under the category of wood lathe made wooden chess pieces kinda cool i took wood working in juniour high and been in love with it ever since. thanks for your videos
Thanks for watching!
I am a strong chessplayer and do not do do any woodwork and have no intention of making a chess set. But I really liked watching the very skillful work in this video. Thank you very much!
Appreciate your comment - Thank you for watching!
Hi James !
Hi from ... France ...
Thanks for sharing your woodturning experience !
From a brand new wood turner beginner !
Phil
You're very welcome. It's great fun. Thanks for watching!
Thanks for the video. For years I have wanted to try to make a chess set. The Knight has been my fear in even trying. Your patient and steady progress gives me hope, for making the leap.
Kind words! Thanks for watching!
I have a chess set with one piece missing, a black knight. I was going crazy trying to think of a way to reproduce it and now you've given me some ideas! Thanks!
Beautiful! Such patience... I hope that whoever you are making this for is properly appreciative.
Brilliant work. Will be using your videos as a reference to create my own set with Tasmanian woods down the track. Thanks heaps
Matt Little Thank you so much Matt. When you make yours - post video. I would love to watch. And thank you for watching!
I also a wood turner professionally . I liked this and I appreciate this work. Very nice. Thanking you.
+jothi ramalingam Thank you for watching!
for a guy who just started to do wood work I'll say you're a wood craftsman great work
way to go
+Jose Jimenez Thanks Jose! Still learning every day! Thank you for watching!
Very enlightening. I would have believed it would have been much more difficult. Very nice. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for watching!
Good morning I want to ask thank you very much for taking your videos to explain and teach people to lose their fear of trying to make objects never imagined able to do . Thank you for taking the have us ... I am Brazilian and always watch your work . You make be inspired to carry out my work has not posted anything but I am taking courage ...
Wow! True craftsman!
The video is very fun to watch and the piece turned out awesome! Best homemade knight I've seen!
Thank you very much - I really appreciate it!
a good alternative to your finish on these is a product called qualasole. Essentially it is about a 1/1000 lb cut of shellac. This super thin shellac is the same thing french polishers use. Not a particularly durable finish (friction polishes never are), but it is gorgeous. My default finish on turnings though is Tung oil. I quite enjoy the sheen you get with it and oil finishes are practically stupid proof. Especially on a lathe. You just apply until you get bored.
fleurdelispens Hey - thanks for the suggestions, and also for watching! After experimenting - I think I'll be going with a clear lacquer finish.
Its so pleasing to watch you work.
Thanks for watching!
Sir, this is a masterpiece! Beautiful work.
Very nice work ! The colour from the prototyp is nice too.
Thanks for watching!
Been anxiously awaiting this video. The knight turned out great. Really looking forward to the king and queen videos. Must be a fantastic view when you are turning a piece and look out your window. Anyway time we'll spent for a wonderful looking knight. mission accomplished. Thanks!
Thanks Chad! View is great - but move the lathe away when turning - worried about something flying through the glass. Thanks for watching!
The scoop you put in/around his mouth is a very good addition. It really makes the knight look really cool.
Thank you so much!
James Wegner exelente video JAMES
James Wegner bbb gy
Nice hand work.Mr. James Wegner. Thanks a lot.
The knight turned real good. Enjoyed watching you make him nice skill 👍
Thank you! Cheers!
Very nice work! Looking forward to seeing the complete set. (And most likely, so are you!!)
Was done a while ago. Thanks for watching.
Better result than I expected. Better design than the regular german knight, & the walnut grain (& alder too), looks great.
tubewatcher38 Thank you so much! I appreciate it!
Hi there. We are loving watching your video from all the way in Australia. From Thomas and William (7 and 6 years old)
+Fiona Arthur Thanks for watching! Was in Brisbane a while ago! (Reminded me of Miami - lol)
It's a pleasure watching your chess set creation process. God bless you and your work. Eitan from Israel.
Beautiful!! You've inspired me to look more into this hobby. I also build model airplanes, so I have most of the tools minus the wood lathe.
You can do it! Thanks for watching!
Lovely work James - thanks for sharing !
i subbed and liked just because you seem like you care more about making us happy with your videos than you care about having subs. AND because this video caught my eye and is awesome!
Mason Chase How nice of you to say Mason! Thanks so much for watching!
I'm very particular about knights - they have to be just right or thy ruin a whole chess set. I LOVE these!
Hi I am making a chessboard but didn't know how to make the peace but after seeing your video on the knight you have opened my eye's and can't wait to get going thanks and good luck with the king and queen
wayne rogers Hi Wayne - hope when you make your's that you post it! Thanks for watching!
thanks will do
Hi James: Your woodworking Technic is awesome, (simple & no expensive tools), step by step how you are doing each chess pieces! you are an inspiration to young & old.
By the way, the chess set looks great & beautiful.
+S. David Wow - thank you for such kind comments! And thank you for watching!
Nice job. Looking forward to watching the rest of the series. Watch out files without handles....they make awesome wrist piercing tools.
phooesnax You're right - I need to be more careful. Thanks for watching - queens coming this week!
Beatiful work Sir! And a pleasure to watch. 🤗
Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching!
Great job. You are a master woodman. It's gonna be a beautiful set. That Murphy bed is beautiful.
+axiomist I appreciate it! Thank you for watching!
Great job and its so hard to find a genuine humble youtuber
JLP1230 How kind of you to say! Thanks for watching!
very good, friend. i´ve learn a lot with this single video. i hope to learn much more with the others.
Thanks for watching!
A hint on installing blank into 4 jaw chuck, have other end center marked & bring up your live center before tightening- this will ensure your blank is centered & true- Tyler
I really like that kind of work! Today the kits just want to hang around on the computer. Crafts are still alive! So lucky!
Thank you for watching!
I like that jig you made for all the pieces to go on and off the lathe.
Thanks for watching!
So practical in your process with elegant results! We'll done maestro!🙏
So nice of you! Thanks for watching!
great videos, its so cool watching you sculpt the horse. I like the way you made it look better than the prototype.
+Varg Elysia Thank you for watching!
Have been thinking of making a set, you have made some butefull items, I will look at your other vids to see how to make them. Thank you for a great introduction to making chess pieces. Extremely talented you are.
Thanks for watching!
That is a beautiful and well proportioned knight. Thanks for sharing.
As a person wanting to get into the woodworking hobby and eventually make my own chess set. This was a very good informative video.Keep up the good work!
unrealbasher Thanks for the kind words! I hope you make one - if you do please post it! Thanks for watching!
Enjoyable and informational video, I've often wondered how to make a knight.
Thanks for watching!
A nice piece of work Mr Wegner....I would love to play chess with such a masterpiece...All the best
Kind of you! Thanks for watching!
I enjoy your channel I’m a retired person looking to start a business you don’t waste time thank you for that 👍🏾
Thank you for watching!
Thanks for a great video! I'm an avid chess player and have been wanting to turn my own set but couldn't come up with a good way to make the knights.This answered all my questions. Thanks for taking the time making these videos, and great job on the chess set!
Hi James, fascinating to see these pieces emerge from the original wooden block (I'm coming from the chess player rather than the woodworking side). Amusingly I recently received a chocolate chess set which included the plastic sheet into which the 'half-sided' chess piece shapes had been pressed ... so I can refill the mold with more chocolate to make a new set after the 'defeated' pieces get eaten ! Maybe you could use your pieces to press into a heated plastic sheet to make your own custom (large !) chocolate pieces too ! :)
Wiki Mint Hi Wiki - wow that is pretty cool! Now you can take your opponants queen - and eat it! Canibal chess. LOL Thanks for watching!
Felicitaciones desde Caracas-Venezuela, excelente trabajo amigo, tu eres un gran artista.
Thank you Freddy - I appreciate it.
Pensaba que era más complicado hacer las piezas del ajedrez,
gracias por su instrucción, voy a hacer mi propio ajedrez.
Thanks for taking the time to share this!
Thanks for watching!
Love this!!!. I'm trying to learn all I can because I want to attempt a hand crafted chess set myself. thanks for the video and wish me luck.
Good luck! Post pics! Thanks for watching!
Btw I also think your simplistic design for the knight is very elegant. I too am going to do my knight similarly.
wow.. really great! enjoyed every minute of this video. I just finished my chessboard myself and I will be starting to work for real on the pieces now. I will try and put on some videos on the way
Thank you Mathieu - I look forward to seeing yours!
Very nice work James! Agreed Capt. Eddie is top shelf!
Thank you. And thank you for watching!
Excelente trabajo, estoy motivado a realizar unas piezas de ajedrez empezando por lo más difícil; el caballo, gracias por estimular la inspiración a creadora
Gracias por sus amables palabras. Quizás podrías publicar una foto de tu trabajo. ¡Me encantaría verlo!
wonderfull, your work is truly excellent!I am Brazilian and also I have done woodwork.
Mário Ferraz + k you so much!
Great job James. Not easy to do and the pieces turned out exceptionally well.
This Knight looks very elegant !!!!! Perfect!!
Thanks for watching!
That is one handsome piece of sculpting - very nicely done!
Such impressive craftmanship! Keep up the good work!
kapteklanning Thanks for the kind words and for watching!
So far, that lathe appears to be working well. I recommend joining a turning club near you to gain knowledge on techniques.
Thanks for watching!
Great work! I never thought about the process of completing a knight. Very interesting. Thanks for sharing.
+Don Fillenworth Learning as I go. Thanks for watching!
You're awesome, happy, and very good at what you do. I wish you nothing but good things. Thanks for sharing!
Chris Greene Very kind of you Chris! Thanks for watching!
What an interesting but great way to make an amazing chess set.
Just made a board and would love to make a set.
Have subscribed and will watch more of your videos.
Regards James
One Handed Maker - Australia
Wow ! Good job Mister Wegner !
Thanks for watching!
The spinning head on video looks so cool! Thanks for the tips, I'm just starting my knights after finishing the rest of the set.
Please post your set. Would love to see it. Thanks for watching!!
Hello James. Thank you for amazing video and inspiring work. For long time I thinking about woodturning and your video will move me closer to this "dreams" :-). Thank you.
+Mi B You're very welcome! This is so fun. Thanks for watching!
I really enjoy watching your videos. Makes me want to pick up woodworking. good job.
+Chase Walden Thank you for watching!
I've been wanting to make a chess set for my husband (I'm a fairly novice turner) but have been overwhelmed with intimidation and fear over even starting. You made this so easy to follow and made it feel slightly less daunting. Still nervous! But you gave me some hope that I could maybe do this on my own. I'll be watching your other videos for all the pieces. Thank you!
Nice, can't wait to watch the rest of the pieces
Very good tutorial. I like how in depth you went. I'll definitely be trying to make set one of these days...
Please do! Thanks for watching!
i randomly found this and have no interesting in woodworking but this dude is fucking awesome. keep it up James.
Thanks Jack - appreciate it!
I love your language. Freedom of speech we almost lost. Fuck its great to be home. Lol.
Informative and inspiring. Only few better feelings than enjoying your own creation.
Thank you for watching!
Great Job! I am new to turning and want to kick out a nice chess set. I wondered how the knight would be made.
Thanks for sharing
Wood Corner Thank you so much for watching, and for your comment!
Great job sir! That looks great.
Thanks for watching.
Mrl James WegnerI impresionado so carefully and seal the confecsionar this horse. I once lost a pawn my xadrex and made with a broomstick and I confess I was surprised by the final finish . depoi found the original and do not know what I did with the other. A big hug and be with God
+ José Mauricio Barros Lima J MAURITIUS Thanks for watching!
Although I have no interest in woodturning myself, it was fascinating to watch you make the piece.
mrpatty29 Thank you so much for watching!
couldn't wait to subscribe..awesome craft sir. looking forward for more craft work.
cheers.
+Saket Choubey Thank you so much and thank you for watching!
Wow! that's a beautiful chess knight piece!! I'm hoping to make a knight piece myself! and you'e given me some ideas on how to do so! thank you!
+The Learning Craftsman Do it - it's fun! Thank you for watching!
WOW! James. Good job.
Steve Brown Thank you Steve - I appraciate it!
Absolutely fantastic looking pieces. Wish I could afford one of your sets - but it's probably out of my price range ... at least for now.
Thanks for the kind words. Thanks for watching!
I´m a craftsman and an enthusiastic chess player, i honestly have to say that you´re doing great work and i really liked it.
The exactly making of a knight always kind of puzzled me, you´ve shown that in great detail!
I think you will get enquires for sets or allready got them...?
Keep going and regards from austria!!
Mainswitch55 I really can't wait to finally sit down and play a serious game with these pieces! Thanks for your comments and for watching!
Amazing what you can learn watching others work. Thanks for the video.
Glad you enjoyed it