Woodturning a Chess Set - The Knights

As a woodturning beginner, I thought I'd document my attempt to make a chess set. In this episode, I make a knight. Even though I sped up a lot of the video - it's still kinda long. The knights had many more steps than the other pieces!
Also visit my site: blackforestsigns.com

[@rokaq5163]

Amazing work, even after all these years your craftmanship deserves recognition! Very instructive, too. Thanks for sharing, James!

[@BlackForestDesigns]

Much appreciated! Thanks for watching!

[@scharkalvin]

I made a chess knight by cutting the profile out on a block of wood in the scroll saw, then used double sided tape to re-attache the block together, turned it 90 degrees and cut out the front/back view. I used a dremel to add detail, and then mounted the horse head on a turned base.

[@BlackForestDesigns]

Sounds good! Got a pic of it? Thanks for watching!

[@juancolonworx7262]

wacthing your process. impressed. i am 61 yr old dialysis patient. ive been on dialysis since jan 2003. loved carpentry, chess and a guitarist over 50 yrs and because of the kidney disease and the bother conditions that occur I am no suffering with trigger finger making all those activities extremely painful. i appreciate your dedication and pray that God give you the strength to continue with what we love. God bless you sir regards juan colon

[@BlackForestDesigns]

Thank you so much for your kind words. Thanks for watching!

[@alex60258]

Good morning I want to ask thank you very much for taking your videos to explain and teach people to lose their fear of trying to make objects never imagined able to do . Thank you for taking the have us ... I am Brazilian and always watch your work . You make be inspired to carry out my work has not posted anything but I am taking courage ...

[@utubephil100]

Lovely work James - thanks for sharing !

[@Twerpjuice]

I only learned how to play chess five days ago, and me being the creative type, I felt really inspired to carve my own pieces. This is truly inspiring!

[@BlackForestDesigns]

Thanks for watching!

[@ivanpagac7946]

Sir, this is a masterpiece! Beautiful work.

[@otto5656]

I enjoy the chess set series and plan on giving it a try. I really appreciate the pleasant music while sanding.

[@danjams]

Jim,enjoying your videos. I'm a native Coloradoan who now lives in FL. I had to sell much of my woodworking machines when I moved so I'm getting into wood turning after buying a used mini Jet lathe. Learning through You Tube. thanks for showing your process of turning

[@BlackForestDesigns]

Dan Hamilton Thanks Dan. Me too - learning by watching the real turners on YT. Having a ball doing it. Thanks for watching!

[@TheOtherGuybo]

That is a beautiful and well proportioned knight. Thanks for sharing.

[@jagc1969]

It's a pleasure to see the way you work. You make it look as it was as easy thing to do. Thanks for sharing.

[@BlackForestDesigns]

Thanks for watching!

[@whung-low4961]

Nice, can't wait to watch the rest of the pieces

[@raycadmus]

Beautiful! Such patience... I hope that whoever you are making this for is properly appreciative.

[@kcajeeserb]

i randomly found this and have no interesting in woodworking but this dude is fucking awesome. keep it up James.

[@BlackForestDesigns]

Thanks Jack - appreciate it!

[@johnathangrey3463]

I love your language. Freedom of speech we almost lost. Fuck its great to be home. Lol.

[@chadaubuchon5311]

Been anxiously awaiting this video. The knight turned out great. Really looking forward to the king and queen videos. Must be a fantastic view when you are turning a piece and look out your window. Anyway time we'll spent for a wonderful looking knight. mission accomplished. Thanks!

[@BlackForestDesigns]

Thanks Chad! View is great - but move the lathe away when turning - worried about something flying through the glass. Thanks for watching!

[@julioezequiel8935]

Amazing work, It's always a remarkable moment when the artist carving the knight. Thanks for it.

[@BlackForestDesigns]

Thank you. And thanks for watching!

[@guygriesmann1234]

Your series on making these chess pieces is top rate. Very beautiful.

[@cigarsmoka9741]

Thanks for a great video! I'm an avid chess player and have been wanting to turn my own set but couldn't come up with a good way to make the knights.This answered all my questions. Thanks for taking the time making these videos, and great job on the chess set!

[@ChessReviews]

Wow! True craftsman! The video is very fun to watch and the piece turned out awesome! Best homemade knight I've seen! 

[@BlackForestDesigns]

Thank you very much - I really appreciate it!

[@MrTomkimber]

That is one handsome piece of sculpting - very nicely done!

[@andymacdonald1724]

James, Just to let you know that this inspired me to make a set. It took about a year (on and off) to turn the pieces (in American Black Walnut and Canadian White Maple). I took a similar approach, basing mine off the World Championship set but to a larger size (the board we made separately and has 3" squares). I also embedded some dowels of the reverse colour in the King and Queen so they have a circular dot motif around the body). All told, I estimated around 80 hours for the pieces (including planning, turning, errors (!), sanding, polishing, etc. Another five hours for the board. Thanks for your inspiration! Cheers, Andy

[@BlackForestDesigns]

That's so great! I love these kinds of comments! Congrats on completing the set. Any way I could get a photo? And thanks for watching!

[@donfillenworth1721]

Great work! I never thought about the process of completing a knight. Very interesting. Thanks for sharing.

[@BlackForestDesigns]

+Don Fillenworth Learning as I go. Thanks for watching!

[@iTz-L33T]

very interesting, job well done James, love to watch your work!

[@BlackForestDesigns]

Thanks for watching!

[@OgnianBorisov]

Very beautiful work!

[@hshahabi]

A nice piece of work Mr Wegner....I would love to play chess with such a masterpiece...All the best

[@BlackForestDesigns]

Kind of you! Thanks for watching!

[@selenasomaz8946]

The pieces so far looks amazing. Keep up the good work!

[@BlackForestDesigns]

selena somaz Thanks for watching Selena!

[@brnzetiger6562]

Its so pleasing to watch you work.

[@BlackForestDesigns]

Thanks for watching!

[@Heseblesens]

Beatiful work Sir! And a pleasure to watch. 🤗

[@BlackForestDesigns]

Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching!

[@gilbertrios5283]

So practical in your process with elegant results! We'll done maestro!🙏

[@BlackForestDesigns]

So nice of you! Thanks for watching!

[@KennethScharf]

There are at least 3 ways to make a chess knight. I've seen them TOTALLY done on a lathe. In this case, the horse head is a section of a bowl, with the face on the inside, and the back of the head on the outside. The bowl is turned using inside and outside tools, and then a section is cut off with a band saw. Some minor touch up work is done by hand before gluing the head onto a turned base. I made a knight by drawing the profile and obverse outlines on paper, and then I glued these views onto a square (rectangular?) block of wood. I then cut out the profiles on my scroll saw (though a band saw with a narrow blade would also work) and carefully re-attached the removed slices of wood using double sided scotch tape. I then rotated the work 90 degrees and cut out the obverse sections. The profile slices were pulled off and what remained was the horse head. Some filing and carving is now required, this was done using hand tools and a Dremel with rotary tools. As before, the horse head is then glued onto a turned base. The third method would be a hybrid of these two, something like what you have done.

[@kapteklanning]

Such impressive craftmanship! Keep up the good work!

[@BlackForestDesigns]

kapteklanning Thanks for the kind words and for watching!

[@advduc]

That's awesome! Love the detailed video.

[@glencrandall7051]

Very enlightening. I would have believed it would have been much more difficult. Very nice. Thank you for sharing.

[@BlackForestDesigns]

Thanks for watching!

[@woodstoney]

Very nice work James! Agreed Capt. Eddie is top shelf!

[@BlackForestDesigns]

Thank you. And thank you for watching!

[@slaffer27]

As a young man in school I was in to woodworking. I am now a machinist. I have been a machinist for many of years. i love to art work that can be made with a wood or metal lathe. Now a days i just program the machine to do the work for me. Great video i will be looking up the other videos in the series.

[@jaydee5447]

Great job James. Not easy to do and the pieces turned out exceptionally well.

[@scottcoady9780]

Your video was the first too pop up under the category of wood lathe made wooden chess pieces kinda cool i took wood working in juniour high and been in love with it ever since. thanks for your videos

[@BlackForestDesigns]

Thanks for watching!

[@monzorulquader9324]

Nice hand work.Mr. James Wegner. Thanks a lot.

[@edwardvanleppard2774]

Man this is so fascinating! I wish I could get into wood turning. Very nice work!

[@mattlittle6008]

Brilliant work. Will be using your videos as a reference to create my own set with Tasmanian woods down the track. Thanks heaps

[@BlackForestDesigns]

Matt Little Thank you so much Matt. When you make yours - post video. I would love to watch. And thank you for watching!

[@thomas3816]

Man this guy just seems like a genuinely nice person. Kudos to you man, keep doing great things!

[@BlackForestDesigns]

Thank you for the kind words. And thanks for watching!

[@claudeelliott3993]

Very nice work! Looking forward to seeing the complete set. (And most likely, so are you!!)

[@BlackForestDesigns]

Was done a while ago. Thanks for watching.

[@chasewalden1376]

I really enjoy watching your videos. Makes me want to pick up woodworking. good job.

[@BlackForestDesigns]

+Chase Walden Thank you for watching!

[@commanderstarstrider7176]

Looks fantastic.

[@user-uh5df5xy4h]

Looks like a fine job, Good work

[@zeroy]

superb work!

[@MrUnterward]

I would love to spend time doing this. Love that work you have done.

[@BlackForestDesigns]

Thanks for watching!

[@budbirkenseer5277]

Thanks for the video. For years I have wanted to try to make a chess set. The Knight has been my fear in even trying. Your patient and steady progress gives me hope, for making the leap.

[@BlackForestDesigns]

Kind words! Thanks for watching!

[@sgtleobella]

Thank you for your videos! I am an aspiring woodworker and am glad I stumbled upon your channel from reddit

[@jensp.186]

Very nice work ! The colour from the prototyp is nice too.

[@BlackForestDesigns]

Thanks for watching!

[@conradkappel9426]

I was totally mesmerized watching this. I have a wooden chess set and always wondered how they were made. I figured they were made by wood turning, but never saw how it was actually done. Fantastic!

[@BlackForestDesigns]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching!

[@conradkappel9426]

@@BlackForestDesigns You're very welcome. I always wanted to get into woodworking but never got the chance. The craft has always intrigued me, but traveling and working 60 to 80 hours a week didn't leave any time to pursue it. Closest I got was making scale wooden ship models. Made 4 over about a 7 year period. Now, at age 77 I guess I'll continue to spend my time focusing on playing tournament chess. Hope you continue to pursue this wonderful craft. You're very good at it!

[@jeffwise8194]

A woodturning beginner? And you can make a chess set like that? Impeccable!

[@BlackForestDesigns]

Jeff Wise I've had a lot of help by watching experienced KZbin woodturners. What a great community! Thanks for watching.

[@OvadiaMusic]

You're awesome, happy, and very good at what you do. I wish you nothing but good things. Thanks for sharing!

[@BlackForestDesigns]

Chris Greene Very kind of you Chris! Thanks for watching!

[@danrulz01]

james you're awesome, keep up the good work mate, its inspiring

[@saket5020]

couldn't wait to subscribe..awesome craft sir. looking forward for more craft work. cheers.

[@BlackForestDesigns]

+Saket Choubey Thank you so much and thank you for watching!

[@InSpadez]

The scoop you put in/around his mouth is a very good addition. It really makes the knight look really cool.

[@BlackForestDesigns]

Thank you so much!

[@johnnyjimenez8374]

James Wegner exelente video JAMES

[@jimbeasy863]

James Wegner bbb gy

[@jayrock248]

thank you, nice work. I have a set planned out in my head, but didn't know how to make my knights, your video has provided the method I needed thank you, now I can get started.

[@BlackForestDesigns]

Glad I could help! Thanks for watching!

[@212Warthog]

I have a chess set with one piece missing, a black knight. I was going crazy trying to think of a way to reproduce it and now you've given me some ideas! Thanks!

[@jibnjake]

this is incredible! Thank you so much for making these videos!

[@BlackForestDesigns]

Appreciate that! Thanks for watching!

[@mouth399]

As a person wanting to get into the woodworking hobby and eventually make my own chess set. This was a very good informative video.Keep up the good work!

[@BlackForestDesigns]

unrealbasher Thanks for the kind words! I hope you make one - if you do please post it! Thanks for watching!

[@jjbryan7]

Fabulous work and results. You have astonishing skill for this to be your maiden voyage so to speak, especially with Harbor Freight tools. You are the living proof that buying the best tools is not as great a contributor to results as skill and talent. Jim Bryan

[@BlackForestDesigns]

Many thanks! Thanks for watching!

[@camgarratt461]

Looks great mate it turned out really well.

[@rogeriusrex1]

Mesmerizing! And great work!

[@BlackForestDesigns]

Wow! Thanks! And thanks for watching!

[@dayostrvladimere6349]

Completly astounded this is perfect thank you. ... very skilled and great videos

[@BlackForestDesigns]

+Dayostr Vladimere Thank you for watching!

[@HodgePodgeWoodWorks]

Very good tutorial. I like how in depth you went. I'll definitely be trying to make set one of these days...

[@BlackForestDesigns]

Please do! Thanks for watching!

[@lesportesdutemps847]

Hi James ! Hi from ... France ... Thanks for sharing your woodturning experience ! From a brand new wood turner beginner ! Phil

[@BlackForestDesigns]

You're very welcome. It's great fun. Thanks for watching!

[@cptmuska]

great videos, its so cool watching you sculpt the horse. I like the way you made it look better than the prototype.

[@BlackForestDesigns]

+Varg Elysia Thank you for watching!

[@rpc717]

I'm very particular about knights - they have to be just right or thy ruin a whole chess set. I LOVE these!

[@prokopivusa]

Very nice work!

[@tubewatcher38]

Better result than I expected. Better design than the regular german knight, & the walnut grain (& alder too), looks great.

[@BlackForestDesigns]

tubewatcher38 Thank you so much! I appreciate it!

[@jothiramalingam7862]

I also a wood turner professionally . I liked this and I appreciate this work. Very nice. Thanking you.

[@BlackForestDesigns]

+jothi ramalingam Thank you for watching!

[@khalidal-khashin1125]

great work... I appreciate it .. thank you for all your videos concerning skill works on wood ....

[@BlackForestDesigns]

Khalid A. Nassir Thanks for watching Khalid! Appreciate your kind words.

[@wallygoots]

The spinning head on video looks so cool! Thanks for the tips, I'm just starting my knights after finishing the rest of the set.

[@BlackForestDesigns]

Please post your set. Would love to see it. Thanks for watching!!

[@pauposts]

Great job sir! That looks great.

[@BlackForestDesigns]

Thanks for watching.

[@lockhartnoisecompany6154]

Informative and inspiring. Only few better feelings than enjoying your own creation.

[@BlackForestDesigns]

Thank you for watching!

[@charles9249]

Awesome work, I really like your videos on these chess pieces!

[@BlackForestDesigns]

Thank you and thanks for watching!

[@axiomist1076]

Great job. You are a master woodman. It's gonna be a beautiful set. That Murphy bed is beautiful.

[@BlackForestDesigns]

+axiomist I appreciate it! Thank you for watching!

[@alemayehutadesse9560]

It is very interesting machining work, and i thank you for your perfect presentation.

[@BlackForestDesigns]

Alemayehu Tadesse Thank you sir - and thanks for watching!

[@asev1969]

Many thanks for your video. Beautiful knight. Great job.

[@BlackForestDesigns]

Thanks for watching!!

[@willytrouble88]

Beautiful!! You've inspired me to look more into this hobby. I also build model airplanes, so I have most of the tools minus the wood lathe.

[@BlackForestDesigns]

You can do it! Thanks for watching!

[@fleurdelispens]

a good alternative to your finish on these is a product called qualasole. Essentially it is about a 1/1000 lb cut of shellac. This super thin shellac is the same thing french polishers use. Not a particularly durable finish (friction polishes never are), but it is gorgeous. My default finish on turnings though is Tung oil. I quite enjoy the sheen you get with it and oil finishes are practically stupid proof. Especially on a lathe. You just apply until you get bored.

[@BlackForestDesigns]

fleurdelispens Hey - thanks for the suggestions, and also for watching! After experimenting - I think I'll be going with a clear lacquer finish.

[@johnoneto4351]

TREMENDOUS JOB SIR.💪🏽👏🏽👍🏽

[@Simonfrios]

So freaking cool. I hope you've kept up the good work!

[@BlackForestDesigns]

Hope so too! Thanks for watching!

[@williamfrankham8909]

HI, Great site. Found it by accident. I have been experimenting with chessmen. Picket up a few good tips. Can’t wait to find the other videos. Always good to watch a craftsman at work, Thanks, Bill.

[@BlackForestDesigns]

William Frankham Wow - appreciate your comments Bill! Post your pieces when you make them! Thanks for watching!

[@mira]

Hello James. Thank you for amazing video and inspiring work. For long time I thinking about woodturning and your video will move me closer to this "dreams" :-). Thank you.

[@BlackForestDesigns]

+Mi B You're very welcome! This is so fun. Thanks for watching!

[@phramxiskho]

very good, friend. i´ve learn a lot with this single video. i hope to learn much more with the others.

[@BlackForestDesigns]

Thanks for watching!

[@onehandedmaker]

What an interesting but great way to make an amazing chess set. Just made a board and would love to make a set. Have subscribed and will watch more of your videos. Regards James One Handed Maker - Australia

[@1spac3d0ut]

i subbed and liked just because you seem like you care more about making us happy with your videos than you care about having subs. AND because this video caught my eye and is awesome!

[@BlackForestDesigns]

Mason Chase How nice of you to say Mason! Thanks so much for watching!

[@fadilkadriu5874]

well done, great work.

[@sirrockets]

Amazing job man makes me want to give it a go.

[@BlackForestDesigns]

+sirrockets Do it - it's fun! Thanks for watching!

[@AdaptingCamera]

This is really cool. Thank you for sharing this video.

[@BlackForestDesigns]

My pleasure! Thanks for watching!

[@Relik0414]

Nice work. Enjoyed watching.

[@BlackForestDesigns]

Thank you very much! Thanks for watching!

[@APortaA1]

Your truly a master at your craft!

[@BlackForestDesigns]

Anthony Porta Thanks Anthony - but I'm really just a beginner (as of last December). Thanks for watching!

[@ComtedeMonteC]

I am a strong chessplayer and do not do do any woodwork and have no intention of making a chess set. But I really liked watching the very skillful work in this video. Thank you very much!

[@BlackForestDesigns]

Appreciate your comment - Thank you for watching!

[@michaelwinter8633]

Excellent work.

[@BlackForestDesigns]

Thanks for watching!

[@starfighterzoot]

Great work! Thanks for sharing!

[@BlackForestDesigns]

Thanks for watching!

[@ThePanoramicPanda]

I've been thinking about using my friends workshop to make my own chess board and set. He's about to get his own lathe soon. Watching these videos is giving me confidence that I can do it. Thank you. :)

[@BlackForestDesigns]

+ThePanoramicPanda Thanks for watching!

[@Mainswitch55]

I´m a craftsman and an enthusiastic chess player, i honestly have to say that you´re doing great work and i really liked it. The exactly making of a knight always kind of puzzled me, you´ve shown that in great detail! I think you will get enquires for sets or allready got them...? Keep going and regards from austria!!

[@BlackForestDesigns]

Mainswitch55 I really can't wait to finally sit down and play a serious game with these pieces! Thanks for your comments and for watching!

[@eshvartz]

It's a pleasure watching your chess set creation process. God bless you and your work. Eitan from Israel.

[@SDavid-me8ie]

Hi James: Your woodworking Technic is awesome, (simple & no expensive tools), step by step how you are doing each chess pieces! you are an inspiration to young & old. By the way, the chess set looks great & beautiful.

[@BlackForestDesigns]

+S. David Wow - thank you for such kind comments! And thank you for watching!