Hey Eyechess... Step in here for a minute!

As promised in another thread, here are photos of my current setup.

My library remodel is going oh-so-slow, so I decided to set up my Chess table, new Purpleheart custom board, Chessbazaar "Henry Blackburne" Boxwood/Bud Rosewood set, and Duel Timer clock... all in the ajoining room amidst stacks of books, furniture, and construction materials.

So... without further delay, here it is!

Info on the gear:

* Chess table is an old Oak round table that I chopped two sides off from then refinished.

* Chess pieces storage container is a GSI Outdoors waterproof Lexan gear box (Large).

* Clock is an original Duel Timer, Brass Plunger model in Cherry Wood.

* Board is a custom designed and made solid-block Purpleheart/Maple board, with Brazilian Cherry Wood border.  Playing surface is "raised" about 1/4" above the border.

* Pieces are Chessbazaar "Henry Blackburne" in Boxwood/Bud Rosewood.

All of the stuff in the background is waiting for the new Library space to be finished, hopefully before this year ends!  

Wow, that is a very nice setup!

That set looks excellent on the purpleheart board. And that Duel Timer makes a great combo.

The cherry wood and brass plungers and faceplate is very classy, making it fit in perfectly with the woods of the pieces and board.

No other digital clock available today looks that classy.

Never seen purple heart before on a board

It looks better in person!

I agree with you about the Duel Timer... I wish I had bought two back when they were still available.  Very classy clock, really fits well with a nice wood set.

Bawker:

I really like the board.

I have a Dual Timer, however, the brass on mine tarnished over the years. Did you use regular brass cleaner to restore yours?

Ray

rmanthony,

Thanks!

The only care I've given the brass on my Duel Timer is to keep the clock in its cloth bag when not using it.  I live in a dry climate, so that helps too.

Are you enjoying the books?

jacksmack3030,

The board was made by a craftsman in the northwestern U.S., who I found through eBay sales pages.  He does fantastic work, but I won't be working with him again.   Some people do not want to give up enough control of their work to the paying client in order to make things work out well for all involved.  He can keep his way of doing things, and someone else can keep my money after I have a few more boards made!  That's all I'm going to say on the subject of the maker.

No "cloak and dagger" stuff... just a craftsman and client who didn't see eye to eye.  Lots of drama, and a board that didn't end up being what I really wanted after substantial expense and attempts to communicate as clearly as possible throughout all phases of the project.

I said I really didn't want to get into it about the board maker... and I'm going to try and put this issue to bed.  Yes, the guy is "sloppydonkey" on eBay.  Anyone who wants his personal info can PM me, I'll happily refer you to him.  He does GREAT work, he is a top-notch craftsman.  He is also set in his ways, good luck if you have something specific in mind that you'd like him to do your way... as he'll probably do it HIS way instead.  That's all.

jacksmack3030,

The board is fine... and I'll end up keeping it.

Thank you very much for the buy offer!

Let me go on record here as saying that I am happy with the board I received from the maker I chose to work with, it's just not the board that I wanted when I placed the custom order.

My original intent was for the border to be as RED as possible... I chose Padouk for the border.  The maker talked me into Jatoba (Brazilian Cherry Wood) claiming that it would be nice and red.   Nope... more like orange.  OK... so not a huge deal.  I guess I'll live with it and it is quite attractive, but it still irks me a bit.

I specified before sending my money that I wanted photographs of the wood pieces mocked up before gluing so that any problems could be identified and corrected.  The first photo I received was the completed board, fully glued (!).   I specified VERY CLEARLY that there would be NO TEXT OR NOTATION anywhere on the board.  Period.  My plan was to take the board to a CNC operator I know locally, and have number/letter notations cut out on the back of the board, so you could flip the board and have notation on the back.  I was going to fill in the notation cavities with epoxy/colored G10 powder mix.  Would have been spectacular!  Instead, maker ignores my request, and on the back right in the center of the border he woodburns a big old deep etched logo with his name and hand crafted, etc.   I would have to remove at least 1/16" to 1/8" of wood from the back and re-finish everything if I was to ever try and accomplish my original plan.

All that, combined with him asking me condescending questions like "How old are you?" after I asked him pointed questions about the schedule, finishing, and shipping... like I'm some kind of impatient 13 year old who wants it NOW (far from it, I'm 48 and I'm used to waiting for quality!).  Shipping was also a complete fiasco, with him taking 4 days (!) to find a box to ship it in, followed by him packing it in loosely crumpled newspaper that didn't protect the board at all... got one nice sized ding on one edge where somebody dropped the box during shipping on something hard.

Tons of drama.  Delays.  Disappointment.  Lack of clear communication.   Quite a bit of expense, and at the end of it all, I get something that while admittedly is beautiful and well made, just is NOT what I originally wanted and spent good money to get.  Overall, I look at the whole thing with some sadness... I intended to have the guy make 3 or 4 more boards for me, work he could have easily scored (and been well payed for!) had he been the least bit flexible and willing to work with his client toward mutual satisfaction.   Whatever happened to the idea that "The customer is always right" anyway?

Up to you all if you want to deal with the guy... I'll happily send you his info.   Just be aware, you might not get what you want from him unless you go into the whole thing with simple expectations and a willingness to let him do it his way, on his schedule, with minimal input and direction from you.

Why the gay comment?  Chessboards have no gender, or sexual orientation.  From this, I suspect that you are projecting your own longings for members of the same sex... but you continue to be frustrated by the fact that you are posting on chess.com, instead of the gay hookup website that banned you 3 weeks ago.  Condolences, bro.  It's a hard lifestyle you've chosen!

Not homophobic... more like homo-nauseated.  I'm actually more "stupidphobic" - stupid people like you scare me way more than any limp wristed poofster.

Oh... and Racist?  Where did you get that?  You must be confusing stupid as a race.

I only play OTB these days.  More my speed... I enjoy the social aspect of chess.  That way, I don't have to deal with juvenile idiots like yourself - bonus!!

The mods may also want to take a look at some of your other racist posts like:

https://www.chess.com/forum/view/general/saju52

https://www.chess.com/forum/view/off-topic/olympics-and-india

/ Discuss.

/ What a shame that you can't just block somebody when you get into an argument on a third person's forum...

Very nice Bawker, The whole setup. Some are just jealous I believe. I for one, hope you have many enjoyable, and memorable evenings on your board and set with family, and friends.  Best wishes, and good luck on your future games.