Double-sided chess board with algebraic notation and inlaid quotations to sit atop a box for pieces

In this video, I make a double-sided chess board with algebraic notation and inlaid quotations that the client asked me to make to sit atop his existing hand-crafted box that holds the pieces. He sent the box to me so that I could be sure the new chess board would fit. One side of the chess board has wenge and curly maple squares, and the other side has chechen and curly maple squares. The squares are 59 mm (about 2 3/8"). The chechen side has algebraic notation inlaid with cherry, and the wenge side has quotations from Charles Buxton ("In life, as in chess, forethought wins.") and Benjamin Franklin ("If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.") inlaid with cherry. The frame has a 1/8" brass border around the perimeter of the playing field and curly maple edge banding.
Check out the One Handed Maker here: @onehandedmaker He recently made a beautiful chess board with zebra wood inlay and a high gloss epoxy finish. It's worth seeing. He also has some interesting videos on furniture making. Some good humor interspersed throughout, as well. You might want to subscribe to be notified of his next project.
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Use discount code WOODUMAKEIT15 at checkout to save 15% off your purchase. Starbond products that I used in this video:
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-Starbond CA glue brown (Medium): starbond.com/collections/all-...
-Starbond Aerosol Accelerator: starbond.com/products/aerosol...
Other things I used for this project:
Grizzly 8” Parallelogram Jointer: amzn.to/3cK43vV
Grizzly G1023RLWX Table Saw amzn.to/2AGvqVV
Freud 24T Rip Blade with Flat Grind: amzn.to/2rQl9EY
Freud Ultimate Cut-Off blade: amzn.to/3KH2nWe
INCRA Miter Gauge: amzn.to/2HTzvef
DeWalt DW734 Planer: amzn.to/3bV310O
iGaging Caliper: amzn.to/2WAjcGh
SuperMax 19-38 Drum Sander: amzn.to/2DOWJzX
Mirka 6” Sanding System: amzn.to/3c0V7mJ
3M 220-grit sandpaper: amzn.to/2HOaQHA
Titebond III Glue: amzn.to/3BplaNF
Laguna 18|BX band saw: amzn.to/3GqI1Od
Laguna Resaw King band saw blade: amzn.to/3MkCxZ5
3M Hearing Protection: amzn.to/3nQLM9i
Delta Cruzer 12" Sliding Compound Miter Saw: amzn.to/3Mqylaw
Gator Grip push blocks: amzn.to/3KEhwax
Freud Super Dado SD-508: amzn.to/416JEsj
INCRA Miter Gauge: amzn.to/2HTzvef
Starbond CA glue and accelerator: amzn.to/3zGoJk4
Makita Trim Router: amzn.to/3MnQiWU
Amana 11/32" Radius x 1 3/4" Diameter Ogee Bit: amzn.to/3Zx8MJ9
Freud 1/2" Radius Cove Bit: amzn.to/3ro0VkG
Amana 45611-K 15-degree engraving tip: amzn.to/3QobN9d
email: [e-mail]
Instagram: / woodumakeit
Facebook: / reallywoodumakeit
00:00 Intro
01:02 Preparing the squares
08:20 Gluing the squares to the plywood substrate
10:33 Preparing the frame
14:08 Edge banding for the frame
16:08 Preparing the brass inlay
21:08 Gluing in the Inlay
26:39 Mortise and tenon joinery for the miter joints
30:43 Preparing the ogee edge
33:37 Applying the finish
35:37 Photo shoot
Music provided by Epidemic Sound
01:02 George's Sandbox - Magnus Ludvigsson
04:32 Night of Stars - Sight of Wonders
05:53 Jamais Perdu - Lo Mimieux
08:20 Ack Värmeland du Sköna
09:57 Beyond Imagination - Gavin Luke
14:23 Dark Citrine - Arden Forest
16:56 Late Night Thoughts - Magnus Ludvigsson
21:08 Midnight in Carmel - Wendy Marcini
24:41 Once Forlorn - Atlas Kind
26:38 Francesco - Aerian
29:45 If Only You Would - Anna Landstrom
33:37 Minor Emotions - Megan Wofford

[@joelalli5943]

Awesome video Mike. Great work as always. This was an absolute joy and honor to work with you on this project. I marvel at the work you did on this board everyday. It will truly be a treasured family heirloom. Thank you for all that you did to make this happen.

[@gorkemchess]

Enjoy it! Surely a masterpiece that will triple your joy when playing chess.

[@onehandedmaker]

Hey Mike. One Handed Maker here. Many thanks for mentioning my channel, truly honoured. You are the Grand Master of chessboard builds my friend, checkmate! Another stunning board with a amazing story video to go with it for the very lucky customer. My heart did stop for a moment during your glue up, but then I remembered to breath and you got it all together. The brass is stunning, the quotations are meaningful and perfectly executed. Well done! James

[@Woodumakeit]

Thank you, James!

[@demmertp]

I think I like the chechen more than the wenge, but the curly maple makes both pop. Lots of router work on the edges of the boards. Beautiful work as always, Mike.

[@Woodumakeit]

Thanks, Paul!

[@rmdenton]

Mike, your videos are so therapeutic. Such elegant music paired with elegant craftsmanship makes for a truly wonderful experience. Thanks for another great video! I would make it if I didn't have a 3 year old! Maybe one day I will have more time.

[@Woodumakeit]

It won't be long before the 3-year-old is ready to help you build things. That will be fun!

[@ICU2B4UDO]

And NO, I wouldn't make it...I'd be smart and hire you!! Nice work Mike...Btw, what's the running cost on a board like that, if I may ask???

[@endlesswick]

That is a beautiful board. I have a nice board that was fairly expensive. This video shows why.

[@stephenelliott7071]

Beautiful work.

[@GoldenKnightsFan_84]

Hey Mike, Big fan of your chess board videos from Scotland, I find them so relaxing to watch. I'd love to see you one day attempt a backgammon board and pieces with all the different exotic woods that could be used I think it would look amazing. Keep up the great work.👍🏻

[@Woodumakeit]

I've been wanting to do a backgammon board for a long time but I never seem to be able to find the time with my backlog of projects. Maybe next year ...

[@GoldenKnightsFan_84]

@@Woodumakeit Roll on 2024.

[@timeandattendancecolutions]

Hi Mike, You make beautiful chess boards and you are clearly a talented woodworker. You also accept comments and suggestions from other workers very graciously. Personally, I won't be making any suggestions, as I know when I am completely outclassed!

[@MCsCreations]

Stunning board, Mike! Really amazing work!!! 😃 Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@kristileon3297]

Incredible outcome!! You made dad proud it’s amazing

[@gorkemchess]

Good job sir!

[@Hurleycraft7]

Thanks!

[@Woodumakeit]

Thank you so much! Good luck with your project.

[@dmichelleh]

Beautiful work, Mike!

[@Woodumakeit]

Thanks, Michelle!

[@patraymond3791]

For the delicate inlays like these you should try using end-grain for the inlay, they won't break off when machining, very nice work by the way.

[@nn1335]

When I watch your videos, l understand why Jesus chose to be a carpenter, the greatest job ever. Awesome work. Be so blessed Mike

[@3210gatorbite]

KZbin is doing its thing again with removing me from the update lists.

[@SirPoopyPants]

WOW!

[@dogzer]

I would make it... if I knew how! Better start with something simpler 😅😅

[@jeffjaekel2558]

Ok will be trying something similar for my granddaughter. Wish me luck! what grit did you use on your drum sander? Thanks!!

[@patrickhambrick]

My kingdom for a belt sander 😅 wondering how close your seams are to level prior to belt sanding. Acceptable tolerances so to speak. Built the clamping jig, board is on it tonight. Wish me luck and thanks for the knowledge/ inspiration.

[@patrickhambrick]

AWESOME WORK ! I have recently been building chessboards and after a couple of failed glue ups i found your videos. I like the idea of your glue up jig. do you go over the building of this in any of your videos ? how do you get the plywood perfectly flat for example ? thanks for your time.

[@Woodumakeit]

I briefly show how I made the jig here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nIeyZK2Hm7ubsKc It's constructed like a torsion box, so it's strong and remains flat. I hope that helps. It's been a game changer for me!

[@patrickhambrick]

Thanks, I'm on it !

[@Hurleycraft7]

You are a true perfectionist Mike..I'm going to get off my ass and copy this work of art with your permission of course...

[@Woodumakeit]

Absolutely. Go for it!

[@76blacksuperman]

This is beautiful how much would this cost I have many chess sets and one needs a board

[@1LEgGOdt]

I must ask, would you make a chessboard that uses braille?

[@Woodumakeit]

I would love to do that! It would be a really interesting challenge.

[@kevinvanhauter9895]

Hi Mike, nice work you do. Question, what's the thickness of your plywood? Thanks greetings Kev.

[@Woodumakeit]

Hi Kev, I typically use 1/2" (12mm) plywood, but I'm pretty sure the thickness of the plywood that I used here was 5/8" (15mm). Occasionally I will use 3/4" (18mm) plywood, but I mostly use 1/2".

[@nn1335]

Dear Mike, would you please inform me, how do you get these golden metal rods ( 16:11)? Thank you so much

[@Woodumakeit]

Those are brass rods that I purchased from onlinemetals com. Here is a link to the one that I use. www.onlinemetals.com/en/buy/brass/0-125-brass-square-bar-360-h02-extruded/pid/1336

[@nn1335]

Thank you so much 🙏

[@Nykkynn]

How May I contact this crafter?

[@vernsteinbrecker3759]

Very nice. No I don’t have the patience to do anything like that and I don’t have a cnc

[@user-cd6qz4rd1t]

👍👍👍👍

[@georgsteinle747]

❤👍👍👍💥!!

[@traceoeight7549]

Watched most of this on mute, the elevator/ shrink office music has to go. Great work., just can't listen to the disjointed noise.

[@JC-Z1]

get rid of the music!

[@brianwaites4572]

Hi Mike, love your stuff. Finished my first double sided board last Christmas. Just started an ebony and tulip board. I’m having trouble getting the male and female inlays to fit, I’m using Carveco software, any plans on a future video explaining the setting up of the cnc/software for the inlay work? All the best 🇬🇧

[@Woodumakeit]

Typically what works for me with the engraving toolpath is to use a flat depth for the female engraving, and then for the male inlay, use a start depth set to 2/3 of the female flat depth, and a flat depth of 1/3 of the female flat depth. I usually use 0.12 inches, and then for the male inlay I use a start depth of 0.08 inches and a flat depth of 0.04 inches. Using millimeters, try using the female flat depth set to 3mm, the male start depth set to 2mm, and the male flat depth set to 1mm. That should give you good results.

[@brianwaites4572]

@@Woodumakeit Brilliant Mike! I understand and I have been experimenting. The bit I am using has a recommended step down of .5mm. The only issue I have found is with the male path, there is no step down the bit plunges down to the final depth in one pass…….ouch! Is there a way around this issue? I am going to save several separate tool paths each with a 0.5mm increase in depth. Do you have to do this? Thank’s for finding the time to get involved 😊 A video on the subject would do well I guess? Happy Easter!

[@Woodumakeit]

@@brianwaites4572 I use Vcarve software and I am able to control the pass depth. I typically have it set at 0.02", which is roughly 0.5mm. If you are unable to set that parameter, I think your workaround will work. That's a lot of extra trouble, though. Happy Easter to you, as well!

[@brianwaites4572]

@@Woodumakeit Thanks Mike! Very much appreciated. I may have to invest in Vcarve to make life easier. Cheers.