End-Grain Chess Board

Turning Blanks into Ranks and Files

If we are using turning blanks (blanks), we have to make sure our blanks are all the same size. We can do this by using calipers to measure every blank on both ends and in the middle.

To make this easy on our selves make sure you have a pencil, and some scratch paper if you’re not willing to write on the wood. Once you measure all sides (not including the length) number each blank and write both the number and it’s measurements down on the scratch piece of paper.

 An Even Planing Field

After measuring all blanks and determining the smallest, begin to prepare the planer by setting the height to match the height of the smallest blank.

Once height is set, you will run all blanks through planer in a specific manner. For consistency purpose you can mark the end of a blank with a pencil marking the side you’re sending through the planer. In the picture above we would make a hashmark at the end on the top side as this will be the one cut. Once the first side goes through, rotate blank left or right once, mark that side and send it through again. We should only need to plane these two sides.

TASK COMPLETE 

This task is complete when all our blanks can line up end to end with no variation in sizes. No blank should be thicker or thinner than the other.

Prepare for the next step by placing your blanks on the table alternating wood types so they sit walnut, maple, and so on continuing this pattern until all 8 blanks are side-by-side.

Next Step

After ensuring all blanks are leveled and are lined up alternating wood types, we move on to the application of wood glue.

In this process we will apply wood glue to a single block, spread out the glue with a brush, stick the blank to the adjacent blanks, and add pressure.

Gluing the Blanks Together

While gluing these pieces together, make sure you are setting the glued pieces down onto wax paper. This will make it easy to sand off the wax paper when the glue dries.

 Start with applying the glue to a single blank.

Spread the glue out evenly with a paint brush.

Place the glue covered side of the blank aimed toward the blank beside it, and press the two pieces together evenly. Continuing this process until all pieces are glued to one another.

*As you glue, keep a sponge or rag near by with a container of warm water to wipe away excess glue as you place them together. This will reduce the amount of cleanup once the adhesive dries.

When all pieces are glued together, use Bar Clamps pushing inwards on the long-sides of the blanks to apply pressure, cleaning the glue off as you tighten the clamps.

Be sure to adjust your blanks as you tighten to make sure they stay aligned. I found it helpful to make a small sled that I then laid my waxy paper inside to help with keeping my board aligned the second time I made this board.

Let glue dry for a minimum of 24 hours. While glue is drying you can start on building the Frame and designing the letters and numbers that will be rastered into the boarder.

This phase is both optional, and can be done at any point during the board making process. You can easily choose to only make the chess board, and skip all boarder making processes moving forward. I chose to place the step here to provide an effective way to utilize the wait time while the glue sets and drys.