Looking for a unique woodworking project that combines art and functionality? Connor from Shopfix has created an amazing chessboard that you can build yourself! This guide will walk you through the steps to craft a beautiful chessboard that showcases your woodworking skills.
Materials and Tools Needed:
- Maple wood (for light squares)
- Purpleheart wood (for dark squares)
- Pau Amarillo for decorative podal inlay
- Wood glue
- MDF panel (3/4 inch thick)
- Rubber feet
- Joiner
- Planer
- Table saw
- Japanese flush cut saw
- Band clamp
- Sanding blocks (40 to 2000 grit)
- Mineral spirits (for cleaning)
Step 1: Selecting and Preparing the Wood
Start by selecting two gorgeous pieces of wood: Maple for the light squares and beautiful Purpleheart for the dark ones. Use a joiner, planer, and table saw to turn these rough boards into perfect strips. Precision is key—if your strips are uneven, your chessboard will reflect that.
Step 2: Laying Out the Strips
Now, lay your strips side by side like puzzle pieces. You’ll need four long strips of both contrasting colors. Spread a thin, even layer of glue along the edges and clamp everything together tightly. If you’re using a 12-inch planer, skip the glue on one of the middle pieces to make the planing easier.
Step 3: Joining the Halves
Once your strips are glued, it’s time to join the two halves together. This process creates a clean and polished foundation for your chessboard. Rotate the glued panel 90 degrees, square one end, and slice across the grain to create eight strips. Alternating these strips will form the 64 squares of the chessboard.
Step 4: Adding Decorative Inlays
Next, glue the alternating strips together with your decorative podal inlays in between. Clamping flat wood on top will ensure your boards remain flat and level. Once one half is complete, glue the next half together, ensuring everything aligns properly.
Step 5: Sanding and Preparing the Base
After the glue dries, trim off any excess podal wood with a Japanese flush cut saw. Sand the bottom completely flat, working your way from 40 grit to 120 grit. Cut a 3/4 inch MDF panel just a bit larger than the chessboard to provide a sturdy base. Glue the chessboard to the MDF to ensure it stays flat and durable.
Step 6: Finishing the Top Surface
Now, it’s time to make the top surface flat. Fix any imperfections with wood putty and sand from 40 grit all the way to 2000 grit for a nice sheen. This step is crucial for achieving a smooth finish.
Step 7: Adding a Decorative Border
To give your chessboard some extra flair, add a decorative border. Cut a groove into the podal strips for the thickness of the chessboard and round over the edges. Cut 45-degree miters at the corners for a picture frame effect. Glue them in place and use a band clamp to keep everything snug while it dries.
Step 8: Final Touches
Sand the border to perfection, applying painter’s tape to protect the chessboard. For added durability, secure the border with a few finishing nails. Finally, make the entire board silky smooth with 2000 grit sandpaper. Clean off the dust and prepare for the finish.
Step 9: Applying the Finish
For the finish, use Odies hard wax oil. This magical product brings out the wood grain while protecting the surface. Rub it in, let it soak, and buff it out for a gorgeous shine. This finish will prevent scratches and moisture damage.
Step 10: Adding Rubber Feet
Lastly, attach rubber feet to the bottom of your chessboard to prevent it from sliding during play. And there you have it—a stunning chessboard ready for its first epic battle!
Whether you’re playing chess or displaying it as a work of art, this board is something to be proud of. Thanks for following along with Connor’s woodworking journey.