Making An End Grain Chessboard

Follow along as I make this handcrafted end grain chessboard from walnut and maple, with spline details at the corners, and laser burned algebraic notation around the edges. I provide detailed instructions throughout this video.
Thanks to Mike McCrory at Wood U Make It for the inspiration, Andrey at MTM Wood for his contributions to technique, and a special thanks to Chris Haugen for his royalty free music. Check out each of their channels on KZbin.
Background Music…
Firefly - Chris Haugen
Tupelo Train - Chris Haugen
Si Senorita - Chris Haugen
Fresh Fallen Snow - Chris Haugen

[@DEJaegerWoodworking]

Just a note... this chessboard is available for purchase for anyone interested. I can give you a full price quote with shipping & insurance if you contact me at: [e-mail]

[@Woodumakeit]

This showed up as a recommended video and I remembered your comment from a few months ago. I watched the entire video with a smile on my face the whole time. Nice job on the chess board. Loved the narration. Thanks for the mention!

[@DEJaegerWoodworking]

Hey Mike, thanks for stopping by to watch the video and comment. Just wanted to give credit where it was due. Had several little snags along the way, and altered a few things, but really enjoyed your videos and the inspiration to even attempt such a project.

[@h2_kumar]

Talk about an heirloom chess board! This is a board that will be handed down from generation to generation. From the composition of the border to the fine details in the corners. Probably one of the best chess boards out there. I personally wonder if it would've looked classier without the notation strip, but WOW! What a build! Thank you so much for sharing your talent and craftsmanship!

[@DEJaegerWoodworking]

Thanks for watching the video and commenting. I appreciate it! If you know of a chess lover in your life, let them know that this board is available for purchase. I can be contacted at: [e-mail]

[@JD_Customs]

This is so, so beautiful! Remarkable craftsmanship! I know that this comment comes a year later but thank you for sharing this piece with us!

[@DEJaegerWoodworking]

Thanks for watching the video and commenting. I appreciate it!

[@TheJkaeser]

Absolutely stunning. My wife saw your video and told me this is what she wanted as a family Christmas gift. I just finished your Honey Comb cutting board and she taking it to England and giving it to her sister and brother in law for Christmas. Thanks for all your comments and tips.

[@DEJaegerWoodworking]

That's awesome! Glad the project turned out well for you. I've got three more of honeycomb cutting boards in the works at this point. It had quite an impact on viewers and my local clientele. I've got a crazy design coming that I'm hoping I can pull off and get uploaded soon.

[@AlaskaWorkshop]

Great tips, I also collect any small thins strips of wood I can use for future splines! Great board!

[@DEJaegerWoodworking]

Thanks for watching the video and commenting. I appreciate it! I find that I don't throw any cutoffs or small pieces away. You never know when one of those pieces will work perfectly on another project.

[@StickMan...77]

Fantastic chessboard, great job, thank you very much.

[@DEJaegerWoodworking]

Thanks for watching the video and commenting. I appreciate it!

[@ToffeenoseToffee]

Beautiful board, awesome watch👌👏🙌

[@DEJaegerWoodworking]

Thanks for stopping by to watch the video and comment. Appreciate the kind words.

[@bkambooboo]

Excellent work!!

[@DEJaegerWoodworking]

Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by and watch the video and comment!

[@coolinken]

Beautiful.

[@DEJaegerWoodworking]

Thanks for watching the video and commenting. I appreciate it!

[@greentreewoodworks6172]

I’m one of Mikes subscribers as well and you did a fine job! I’m in the middle of an Ash and Paduak end grain chess board build and have had to rewatch both yours and mikes videos on how you put your frames together. I don’t have a dado set so I’ll have to get creative. Thank you for the inspiration!

[@DEJaegerWoodworking]

Thanks for watching the video and commenting. I appreciate it. This project really puts your tools and skills to the test. I think overall it was the most time consuming project that I've posted. I also took it slow as to keep everything in check. Even then I had a few mishaps here and there. Only I know about them, but they're there. Good luck on your project. If you want to share your final project, I'd love to see the photos. I can be reached at: [e-mail]

[@Venthros]

This is a gorgeous chess board. I'm subbed to Mike's channel too and I have to say that while it was definitely evident that his work inspired yours, you created a fine piece with your own flavor. I love the addition of the additional pieces on the frame for the algebraic notation. I think it's a nice touch! Great work!

[@DEJaegerWoodworking]

Thanks for stopping by to watch the video and comment. Mike does excellent work as do others, and sometimes watching one of their videos is all the inspiration you need. I appreciate you noticing the modifications. I think adding your own touch is necessary in a project. All I can hope is that I don't detract from it.

[@christophersimms3991]

This is beautiful!

[@DEJaegerWoodworking]

Thanks for watching the video and commenting. I appreciate it!

[@alexgilmore2986]

Nice touch really like it

[@DEJaegerWoodworking]

Thanks for watching the video and commenting. I appreciate it!

[@EmmyAKAMilo]

oh my god, i love watching the finishes so much, its like color grading in real life. This video deserves a lot more views and likes, this is a masterpiece. Amazing Job, and Amazing video

[@DEJaegerWoodworking]

Thanks for stopping by to watch the video and comment. I think that's one of the nicest comments I've received on a project. I really appreciate it. This one was a labor of love, and as a bonus I also learned a lot during the process, got to make a few jigs that I've been wanting make for a while, and dust off some tools that I hadn't used for a while. In the end, it was all worth while. The chessboard turned out far better than I ever imagined it would.

[@TheSGBrown]

Outstanding!

[@DEJaegerWoodworking]

Thanks for stopping by to watch the video, and for the nice comment!

[@TheSGBrown]

@@DEJaegerWoodworking Do you sell those anywhere, sir?

[@regchapman3683]

Beautiful ❤

[@DEJaegerWoodworking]

Thanks for watching the video and commenting. I appreciate it!

[@jasonbissonnette2331]

Beautiful work. Great attention to detail!

[@DEJaegerWoodworking]

Thanks Jason, appreciate the comments and for stopping by to watch the video.

[@jasonbissonnette2331]

@@DEJaegerWoodworking I look forward to more of your videos. Just an observation...was your dado blade "inside out"? Usually the pointed edge of the teeth is on the outside so that it scores the fibres to minimise readout.

[@DEJaegerWoodworking]

@@jasonbissonnette2331 I noticed that myself when putting the video together. Hahaha! Good catch. Luckily the channel I created was deeper than I really needed or would have definitely been an issue when adding the borders. Sometimes your head just isn't always in the game, and trying to video everything and get the right angels, etc. doesn't help. Some days I'm not sure all the filming is really worth it. Kind of takes the enjoyment out of wood working. For now, I'm just trying new things. Appreciate the comments.

[@jasonbissonnette2331]

@@DEJaegerWoodworking I have done a few oopsies myself! I appreciate those like you who take time to film and share their journey.

[@dawnbigwarfe6871]

I just had a request yesterday for a custom regulation chess board. Hope my first chess board build turns out as nice as this.

[@DEJaegerWoodworking]

Thanks for watching the video and commenting. I appreciate it! I'm sure you'll do fine. Take your time and the rest usually falls into place.

[@HGANGHONY]

Bravo!!!

[@DEJaegerWoodworking]

Thanks for watching the video and commenting. I appreciate it!

[@Vet6970]

That is really nice work, I'm starting slow with some cutting boards.

[@DEJaegerWoodworking]

Thanks for watching the video and commenting. Cutting boards was how I started out and they are still the bulk of my projects. The chessboard was a big challenge. Lots of different pieces, lots of different techniques. I think that I mention in the video that I used almost every tool and technique in my own personal arsenal to get this one done. It turned out great, but there were many points along the way they gave me frustration. Of course, you don't see those in the video, but they were there, for sure!

[@harrybates5545]

Excellent.... where do you get your background music? So relaxing. I’m enjoying my Sunday morning coffee and watching this video was so relaxing and enjoyable. Thank you for sharing 🙏🏻

[@DEJaegerWoodworking]

Thanks for stopping by to watch the video and commenting. Glad I could be a part of your Sunday morning coffee. I am a huge fan of Chris Haugen who posts royalty free songs on KZbin audio page. If you click on the show more option under the description of this video you'll see the songs that were used throughout the video. Plus he has a channel on the KZbin Audio page at this link... kzbin.info/door/NXDIltPLbdcAavUtL00i7g

[@harrybates5545]

Thank you! I’ll check them out. Subbed, looking forward to more vids

[@Tminsquero1975]

This was absolutely beautiful both in construction and the filming process. I really appreciate the time you took in both. You mentioned it was 3 weeks in the making, would you mind sharing how many labor hours that was? I'm getting ready to start on a version of this for my son and just curious. I also watched Mikes video several times. I'll be watching this again tomorrow! Thanks to the both of you!

[@DEJaegerWoodworking]

Thanks for watching the video and commenting. Geez, I'm not really sure how many hours I had into this board, but it was substantial. Obviously I don't figure in glue drying or finish drying time. If I had to guess I'd say at least 24 hours of labor, but keep in mind I was taking my time because I was trying to replicate someone else's project, and any mistake was likely to be a costly one.

[@DJ.B930]

Amazing job! Your channel just popped up on my feed; I watched your 3D cutting board videos first and they were equally amazing. You’re seriously talented. It was perfect timing for since I’m starting to get interested in woodworking and just bought a few tools. Also I just finished the Queen’s Gambit on Netflix this weekend lol anyways I’m excited to see what you make next. I know you’re channel is newer but you deserve way more subscribers. Great voiceovers too!

[@DEJaegerWoodworking]

Hey DJ, thanks for stopping by to watch the video and comment. Glad you found my channel. I haven't been that long into woodworking, really just a handful of years, so I'm still learning a lot and watch a ton of videos on KZbin. I've been experimenting with the last couple of videos with the voiceovers and production, so appreciate your comments. I've got Queen's Gambit on my watch list too. Thought it was a bit topical. Thanks again.

[@DJ.B930]

@@DEJaegerWoodworking thanks for responding! I can’t believe you’ve only been doing this for a few years, you seem like a seasoned professional already

[@DEJaegerWoodworking]

@@DJ.B930 Oh, I've still got a LOT to learn. I watch a lot of videos and try to learn as much from them, articles, and trial and error at times. Appreciate the compliment though!

[@DJ.B930]

@@DEJaegerWoodworking lol could’ve fooled me. KZbin is definitely an amazing learning tool though, I’ve learned so much from watching other people just explaining what they’re doing. And I definitely think trial an error is the best teacher. Unfortunately it can also be the most expensive

[@DEJaegerWoodworking]

@@DJ.B930 I started out by just posting videos with background music, but then tried posting one with narration and instruction and it got a much better response. I think people appreciate when you're giving them more of a step-by-step approach. Sometimes I'll edit out mistakes, but am really thinking about leaving them in so that others can learn from them too.

[@ragnorak56]

Amazing board and I really enjoyed this video. My personal preference is the "underside". I love how this board can be used on both surfaces though since the algebraic notation side would be preferable if studying or teaching a student. First time I have seen algebraic notation added that way. Was the choice aesthetic or for a more practical reason? Not criticizing just curious because of its novelty. The one critique I do have is that you went with a sepia type of filter for the final shot of the finished board with pieces. Would have loved to have seen it in the same regular lighting the video was made. Anyway, well done and thank you for sharing.

[@DEJaegerWoodworking]

Thanks for stopping by to watch the video and commenting. The algebraic notation was added in that manner partly due to the fact that my CNC/Laser machine is very small so I'm limited on the width and length of items that I can functionally burn. It also had a little bit of a workmanship reason. As I glued the edging around I found that on a couple of sides there was a small gap between the playing surface and the border. Drove me crazy, so the notation on the strips helped to cover that "imperfection". In regards to the lighting, I had placed it on our dining table for final pictures and unfortunately the lighting just wasn't as prominent in that location. I have some video lighting rigs on my Christmas list! It's amazing how much other stuff you end up pouring money into when woodworking and publishing videos. Cameras, lighting, video editing software and the like. :)

[@ragnorak56]

@@DEJaegerWoodworking ok, that makes sense. Actually pretty brilliant way of covering up a perceived imperfection. I see this beautiful board as a 2 in 1 combo and would just flip it based on casual play or studying/teaching.

[@alexmatias6865]

Goodness thats a beautiful board; I'm hoping to someday commission one like that!

[@DEJaegerWoodworking]

Thanks for stopping by to watch the video and comment. I actually did this as a project without a buyer just because I wanted to challenge myself to build one. The best I can ask when selling this item is to get back the material costs and a little bit of the time that went into making it.

[@alexmatias6865]

@@DEJaegerWoodworking it being a labour of love makes it all the more special; I can't make any promises but I am looking to get my dad a nice board for his 45th birthday, and I will definitely keep you in mind when I look for someone to make it!

[@DEJaegerWoodworking]

@@alexmatias6865 This one is currently available, so if you want to discuss off line, you can email me at my address on the About tab of my KZbin channel.

[@Leartech81]

I'm surprised you didn't use something to bring out the end-grain on the squares before applying Polyurethane. Still looks fantastic though! It's a project I'd like to do along with turning/carving a piece set. I'm actually a chess player with a rating and truly enjoy the game.

[@DEJaegerWoodworking]

Thanks for stopping by to watch the video and comment. Good to hear from a player on the finish. I've seen a few videos on making the pieces but looked daunting. While I have a lathe, I'm not sure I'd have the patience to finish all of them.

[@terrysphar4025]

I think I might have added some kind of feet to the bottom with felt pads instead of the strips. Beautiful indeed though!

[@DEJaegerWoodworking]

Thanks for watching the video and commenting. Pads would have definitely been a way to go. I had a couple of users who didn't appreciate that I put the strips on the bottom because it rendered the chessboard unusable on both sides. My intent was only to protect the board and the surface that it is sitting on from scratching one another. I appreciate the comment.

[@dennismacwilliams196]

What grit is you drum sander at ? Do you keep it at that grit ?

[@DEJaegerWoodworking]

Thanks for watching the video and commenting. My drum sander grit is 120. I do keep it at that most of the time. It give all of my projects a good base sanding and helps to even the surface without removing too much material. I don't tend to switch out my drum sander paper and increase the grit increments. I usually switch over to an orbital sander and go through the increasing grits there. Maybe I could alleviate some additional sanding if I would try it on the drum sander.

[@wxdeen]

I have to ask why you stand to the side of your table saw as your running stock through? A kick back and you’re in the line of fire

[@DEJaegerWoodworking]

Thanks for watching the video and commenting. A couple of reasons, the main one being that I am short and my arms aren't that long, so standing behind the blade just doesn't feel comfortable because even with a push stick I don't feel like I have that much control. I wouldn't be able to use the MicroJig Gripper push block at all (again due to arm length). Standing to the side with the MicroJig has been the most comfortable, and given me the most amount of control. I also make sure that my riving knife is in place, and at times put feather boards in place when I think I need even a little more protection from kick back. However, all of these measures, regardless of where anyone is standing still doesn't offer full and complete protection from a kick back. I try to have the utmost respect for each tool I'm using and exercise as many safety precautions as I know.

[@veronicapalomino9751]

Muy hermoso!!! Cuánto costaría uno así en pesos mexicanos y cuánto pesa y mide gracias

[@DEJaegerWoodworking]

Gracias por ver el video y comentar. Hice este tablero como un proyecto, pero se lo vendí poco después de completarlo. El costo fue de aproximadamente 7000 pesos o $ 350 dólares. Mide 22 pulgadas por 22 pulgadas o 55 cm por 55 cm. Pesaba aproximadamente 8 libras o 3,62 kilogramos. Espero que esta traducción sea precisa.

[@veronicapalomino9751]

Muchas gracias por la información y felicidad por tan hermoso trabajo

[@DEJaegerWoodworking]

@@veronicapalomino9751 Gracias por tu comentario y cumplido.

[@antonioroquebernado4280]

Top

[@DEJaegerWoodworking]

Thanks for watching the video and commenting. I appreciate it!

[@jamesc2212]

What brand and model of drum sander are you using

[@DEJaegerWoodworking]

Thanks for watching the video and commenting. The drum sander is a Jet 16-32. I've been very happy with it and use it on almost all of my woodworking projects.

[@jamesc2212]

thank you for the great and quick response... you do such a great job on your pieces love the videos....

[@DEJaegerWoodworking]

@@jamesc2212 No problem, thanks for your comment and question.

[@MrUnterward]

Beautiful work. The only thing wrong with it is, it deserves much nicer chess men to go with it.

[@DEJaegerWoodworking]

Thanks for stopping by to watch the video and comment. I had the same comment from a rated chess player lower in the comments. Unfortunately, that was all that I had to use for demonstration purposes. Hoping the owner will find or have better pieces to go with it.

[@rikimarki5402]

Can I order one? If yes tell me the price and how to order. Thanks

[@DEJaegerWoodworking]

Thanks for stopping by to watch the video and comment. You can contact me in the "About" tab on my KZbin channel regarding the purchase of a chess board, thanks.

[@chitta8609]

Where u got these wood from?

[@DEJaegerWoodworking]

Thanks for watching the video and commenting. I actually purchased 2" x 2" stock of both the walnut and maple on Amazon, simply because it would have been a lot of work to mill the pieces I needed from lumber.

[@stvcolwill]

Thanks for the video. As a chess enthusiast and a rated player, I have to say thanks so much for getting it right that the a1 square needs to be a dark square! Please note -- and this is being very picky... the letters are normally in lower case. Also those chess pieces shown in the end are way too small for the squares. I know, it's probably what you had laying around, right? anyways, great video!

[@DEJaegerWoodworking]

Thanks for stopping by to watch the video and comment. I had to do a little research before laying out the board, because I wanted to make sure that I had the starting square color correct. You are right, I only had these cheap chess pieces from a small mail order board, so yeah they're a little out of scale with the board. Sometimes you just have to make due with what you have. Thanks again for your comments!

[@stvcolwill]

@@DEJaegerWoodworking At one point in my life, many, many years ago I had the opportunity to go to the US chess championships (as a spectator) which was held in Minneapolis. That was so freaking awesome. Many of the Great Grandmasters and International GMs were there. Dream come true. At the conclusion of the tournament, they were selling the boxed sets (chess pieces) that were used in the tournament. They were specially made for that tournament and I got a set. That was the one souvenir that I took away from that trip. Also, I do remember R Fischer obsessing over the size of pieces relative to the size of the squares numerous times in international tourneys. Sorry if my comment came off offensively. : ( anyways, great job on the board!!!

[@DEJaegerWoodworking]

@@stvcolwill Man that would have been an amazing experience. Good grab on the souvenir set too. No, I didn't take your comment offensively at all. Appreciate you just taking the time to watch the video, comment, and share your experience and obvious knowledge of the game.

[@dougbethoney8178]

Is this board still available for purchase?

[@DEJaegerWoodworking]

Yes, it is. You can contact me via the email address on my KZbin page (under the About tab) for details. Thanks!

[@dougbethoney8178]

@@DEJaegerWoodworking I’m not seeing your email address

[@DEJaegerWoodworking]

@@dougbethoney8178 [e-mail]

[@jala5577]

Good workmanship, but at then end of video noticed the placement of the Queens were incorrect...as Queens always take colour...but nice board anyway...

[@DEJaegerWoodworking]

Thanks for stopping by to watch the video and comment. You are correct, and the only one to catch this error! Obviously the video is more geared towards the board and crafting, but having the pieces in their proper location certainly is paramount. Thanks for your observations!

[@ScreamingEagleFTW]

did you make the pieces also?

[@DEJaegerWoodworking]

Thanks for watching the video and commenting. No, the pieces are from a very basic set that I had laying around. I've been told by more than a couple of viewers that I needed better chess pieces in the video, but you work with what you've got.

[@ScreamingEagleFTW]

@@DEJaegerWoodworking you got a lathe and some wood? I would love to see you turn a set of chess men. Im fully confident they would be spectacular with your attention to detail and precision.

[@DEJaegerWoodworking]

@@ScreamingEagleFTW I do have both. Time is what I seem to have little of these days.

[@factordemexfhz5096]

3×nice

[@DEJaegerWoodworking]

Thanks for stopping by to watch the video and comment.

[@Taylexwow]

Why you even left the riving knife in for a dado cut I can't even understand

[@DEJaegerWoodworking]

Thanks for watching the video and commenting. Leaving the riving knife in place was merely an oversight in changing out the blade for a dado set, and it served the purpose of pointing out in a video the need for test cuts, and things to look out for.

[@abhishekjha4735]

This is perfection right?

[@DEJaegerWoodworking]

Thanks for watching the video, and for the nice comment! Appreciate it!

[@floridian2023]

W.O.W.

[@DEJaegerWoodworking]

Thanks for watching the video and commenting. I appreciate it!

[@moshgaming5122]

Great great work dear i am chess lover its just amazing chess board Can you make one for me and send it to me please

[@DEJaegerWoodworking]

Thanks for stopping by to watch the video and comment. If you're serious about a chessboard, let me know. This one is still available. I can be reached via email at [e-mail]

[@jamirleolina6505]

How much would you charge to build me a board ?

[@DEJaegerWoodworking]

Thanks for watching the video and commenting. I have a pretty long backlog of projects that I'm currently working on. If you are interested in pricing and a timeline, you can email me at [e-mail]

[@antoniocaringella243]

E I PEZZI?

[@DEJaegerWoodworking]

Grazie per vede u video è cumentu. I pezzi ùn sò micca fatti a manu. Sò quelli di un set di scacchi di prezzu chì aghju digià pussede.

[@terrylyons5470]

While I like to watch your well made videos, I'm finding my self not enjoying them so much. In the first 12 minutes of this video I believe there were at least six ads/interruptions. I know this is revenue for you but very distracting to the viewers. Just kind of some constructive criticism

[@DEJaegerWoodworking]

Thanks for stopping by to watch the video and comment. I do understand the frustration with ads. Even without monetizing videos on KZbin, you'll have them, and unfortunately once you do monetize them the KZbin creator doesn't really have any control over how often they appear. It kind of feels like watching TV anymore... a few minutes of show followed by several interruptions of ads. I do appreciate the feedback.

[@1959Berre]

The board is very nice, but the knight is a bit odd. It looks like my neighbour's dog.

[@DEJaegerWoodworking]

Thanks for watching the video and commenting. Unfortunately, this was the only chess piece set that I have available. I've had some other viewers who are ranked chess players comment about how I needed a better chess piece set for the video. Alas, you work with what you have.