Post Your Chess Sets

Here’s one of my sets - mid-game with my brother - experts don’t laugh - we’re both learning. Apologies for the colour balance changes in the photos - the top photo is closest to the live colour.

I just finished (well almost...have to put felt on bottoms first!) my 3rd hand made chess set.  This is my best so far.  Made of Padauk and hard maple.  All are weighted.  Can't wait to play with them on my DGT Centaur!

You mean you made the pieces yourself? Jesus that’s some talent you have. They are beautiful.

I did.  And thank you very much.  It's been a work in progress. 

kelamigo-

 I've been doing woodworking as a hobby for over 50 years and can appreciate the skill it takes to create a terrific set like that. Can you post a few more pix?  Maybe some closeups...especially the knights.  Thanks.

Yes...let me take some more pics.  Thanks!

Very nice man! good job, would be interesting to know how you add weight to the pieces, it can be useful for another hobbysts!

Here are some more pics...

As for the weights...I drill a hole in the bottom of each piece then fill with molten lead as full as I can.  I fill in the rest of the hole with wood filler then sand it to make the bottom flat and seal in the lead.  I don't have felt on these yet but that will be the last step.  

ah ok, molten lead, I use bolts, as large as I can but it doesen't increase the weight too much, lead works better for sure, I'll try to use fishing leads for the next set....if there are a next one....good job again!

I thought about using bolts but was concerned about the weight not being enough.  Lead does seem to work well.  I bought a Lee Precision lead pot used for casting lead bullets and I use that to pour the lead into the holes from the spigot on the bottom.  Works like a charm.  I just weighed the "black" king at 113 grams.  The "white" king weighs in at 158 grams!  I must have gotten the hole a little deeper for the "white" king!  That's quite a disparity.  Still working on that.  The kings are 4.25" high.  

Thanks for the additional pix...those are terrific! I especially like the knights, which are traditional in some ways but have their own unique character. With my decades of woodworking experience, I could do some of this, but not all of this so precisely, especially the carving. So many skills needed to produce all of those different pieces.

Nice! Good job! You guys are awesome to be able to make your own pieces!

Lovely display 

Jaionix-

  Is that Isle of Lewis set carved or cast? And where did you get it? It's probably the nicest reproduction I've seen of this set.

beautiful!  i'd be happy losing playing on a board like that!

@Jaionix Gorgeous set and board. I love the opposition created by the different Kings, Rooks, bishops and knights between black and white. I also love the rope beading around the bases of each piece (including the pawns) it shows that this set wasn't just turned, every piece and pawn has been carved to some extent. Incredible detail and quality.

That board, in birdseye maple and Paduak with Ebony trim, beautiful. It is so gorgeous I'd be afraid to play on it.

Could you share some details on the set and the board with us? Where did you get them from? Custom or stock? I'd love to hear it.