Chess is now a popular sport mostly because of its benefits, one of which is increasing your thinking abilities. People play chess not only to have fun but also to exercise their brains. This game improves your brain functionality, and studies suggest it increases one's IQ.
To play chess, you need to have a board and chess pieces. Today you are to learn how to build your own and perfect your woodworking skills when performing these tasks. Here are 12 great DIY chess board ideas that you have to try.
Table of Contents
1. DIY Chess Board And Checkers Set
First, you have to assemble the following; box sides, bottom and top panels, liner, lid, game pieces, checkers, and chess pieces.
Second, begin building the box by sizing the board to the correct measurements and then sanding the course surfaces.
Next is to begin a two-stage curve using a drilling machine. After that, pour epoxy into the squares of the board and make you remove the air bubbles. Use a sander to smoothen the epoxy after drying.
Now construct a frame where the board is going to sit. Join the board to the frame using glue and clamps and let them dry. The final stage is to finish with your desired finish; you can choose to paint, apply wood varnish, and many other choices.
2. DIY Chess Board With Rice
This process requires you to start by doing some calculations. The calculations are to determine the quantity of rice that you need for the board.
After, ensure that you have pieces of plywood, extra wood, polycarbonate tubes, Plexiglas, paint, glue, chess pieces, laser-cut, knife, hammer, paint brushes, and a 3D printer.
Start the construction process by creating a design of what the final product will look like. Next is to cut the board according to the lengths of the plan. Use your laser cutter to cut out the chess patterns on the board.
Then paint your board. After painting, cut the polycarbonate tubes to the required sizes and begin the building process. Construct the board, finish the polycarbonate tubes, and put them all together.
Lastly, add the chess pieces to complete.
3. Advanced DIY Chess Board
Create this hanging chess board game using pieces of wood, crown molding, stain, polyurethane, paint, painter's tape, wood glue, cylindrical dowels, rubber bands, square dowels, electric drill, drill bits, table saw, circular saw, and clamps.
After you have all the tools at your work station, you now put your woodworking skills to the test. Base your ideas around the things you love to make the game enjoyable.
One advantage of this type of board is it takes less space to hang it to the wall and play with friends. Try doing something different today by building this gaming board.
4. Vertical DIY Chess Board
For the supplies, make sure you have plywood, pine, table saw, steel sheet, sandpaper, orbital sander, sticker sheet, utility knife, drywall square, painter's tape, stain, wood glue, and a brad nailer.
To start, cut the plywood to the required length. Try basing your measurements on the chess pieces. Next is to make groove cuts on the board to accommodate the platforms. Then use your knife for the vertical grooves.
Next is to use the painter's tape to mask off squares and apply the stain. Let it dry, and then peel off the tape. The central part is complete and what is left is to install the vertical platforms and inserting to a vertical frame.
5. Outdoor DIY Chess Board
Follow this guide to make this awesome board. The materials that you need are a paver block, outdoor paint, pebbles of two different colors, spray, sharpie, paint pen, ruler, and a paintbrush.
After that, you do not need further instructions because you are already done.
First, you need to design the board and determine the measurements. Then cut the block to the right sizes and use your paint and brush to make the chessboard patterns.
For this process, we are using black and white pebbles to act as the chess pieces. Use the sharpie to identify them. Since it is an outdoor board, you have to apply outdoor paint.
6. DIY Chess Board for Kids
Make your kids this incredible gift using a pencil, ruler, wood board, cardboard, googly eyes, paint, and paintbrush.
The building process is relatively easy, and all you need to do is draw 64 squares on the wooden board using your pencil and ruler. After that, use your paintbrush to paint two colors on the board. Make sure they form an alternating pattern.
Let the board dry. Cut the cardboard separating the slots and add further decorations that you desire.
7. Wood Carvers DIY Chess Board
To create the perfect chessboard, you need to be familiar with woodworking. You'll also need to assemble all of the following; brad nails, plywood, light and dark wood, wood glue, miter saw, nail gun, clamps, table saw, and a router. After assembling these tools, you'll have the chessboard ready in less than 3 hours.
Start by cutting the board into strips using your table saw. Next is to cut the pieces using a miter saw. After that, you have to glue the strips and then sand the whole board.
Begin the finishing touches on the board by cutting out uneven edges. Assemble all panels, glue, and then clamp them together to create a unified chessboard.
8. Garden DIY Chess Board
This great DIY project needs mosaic tiles, grout, Hardie backer, construction adhesive, tile border, mortar, electric screwdriver, screws, sharpie, trowel, wet sponge, and a towel.
There are different kinds of designs to try. This process is more straightforward if you are familiar with woodworking and also the chess game. If it is your first time, consult a finished chessboard to help you out.
It is a simple process, and all you need to do is create the chess patterns using the mosaic tiles. Use the other tools to put the whole piece together and also decorate.
9. Thrift Shop Cutting DIY Chess Boards
To begin the construction process, you'll need a cutting board, chess pieces, electric sander, sandpaper, wood stain, foam brush, painter's tape, pencil, ruler, knife, spray paint, and a spray sealer.
Step one is to prepare the board by sanding and painting it using paints or stains. Next is to apply a wood stain coat and wiping the excess. After that, shape the board to the correct dimensions and then cut out squares using your knife.
Use your painter's tape to create patterns and then spray paint the surface. Let it dry, and it is ready for use.
10. 3D DIY Chess Board
This is s multilevel 3D board that requires you to have a clear mind when constructing. First off, you need to choose a design that you like since the steps are basic.
Next is to come up with a plan from the beginning to the end and gather all the required materials. You need walnut lumber, wood glue, clamps, blowtorch, and gloves.
The next step is to prepare and cut each block to your preferred size. Next is to assemble the pieces and gluing them.
Finally, use your blowtorch to burn some of the top pieces to create the chess patterns.
11. Laminated Pine DIY Chess Board
You will use laminated pine, masking tape, knife, ruler, pencil, stain, liming wax, and gloves for this project.
Begin making the board and cutting out the required pieces. Next is to add a stain to the patterned board to create the chessboard layout.
After that, do some finishing touches, and you can now enjoy your game.
12. Solid Wood DIY Chess Board
Your final tutorial for the day is this solid wood DIY chessboard, and to make it, you'll need to plan and collect the required lumber first.
Next is milling the wood to remove the rough edges. Clean up the faces and use your clamps to begin the first glue-up.
Let the structure dry, and then sand it all over. After that, cut out perpendicular strips and begin the second glue-up. Let it dry and remove the excess glue, then file it to make it smooth.
The final stage is to make the chess borders and then finishing them.
Conclusion
Chess boards are easy to make depending on the type of design and also the materials you have at your disposal. Above are some ways of constructing yours and the steps are easy to follow.
All of the 12 tutorials are effective ways to make some income. For this to happen, you need to know some woodworking tricks to create perfect boards and patterns. Use your imagination and create the ideal board for you and your friends.
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