Everyone loves a beautiful chessboard, and this project makes a perfect gift for playing or a fun charcuteries board. Plus, it’s a great adult-child project. You can also use these skills to increase creative possibilities in any woodworking project. In this article, I will review this easy process, walk through it step by step, and show how to avoid and overcome possible pitfalls.
Overview
The chessboard pattern uses eight strips of contrasting veneer. Typically, a board is 12" x 12" square and each check is 11/2". Eight 11/2" squares equal 12". Often there is a perimeter border to frame in the field of play.
The board is made by cutting and seaming eight strips of veneer together and alternating the contrasting colors to a 13" x 13" panel. (I make the board oversized first—more on that later). Then I recut the striped panel into eight more pieces at 90° to the seam. Retaping the newly cut pieces and rotating every other strip 180° yields a chessboard. Viola! Add some inlay and a perimeter veneer border with a waterfall edge and you have a woodworking project that is truly spectacular.
Why Veneer?
Wood veneer has many advantages over hardwood:
Esta historia es de la edición April 2023 - Issue 270 de Popular Woodworking.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición April 2023 - Issue 270 de Popular Woodworking.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Bosch Job Site Table Saw
While many woodworkers dream of the largest cabinet saw they can get their hands on, reality often dictates a different path.
MIDSIZE ROUTER MELEE
Routers love them or hate them, there are an overwhelming amount of options available. Here's the breakdown on how this midsized lot performs.
Glancy's No 1 Oil
I've said it before, and I'll say it again. The thing I love most about woodworking is the community around us. I meet some fantastic people within it.
Milwaukee FUEL 61/2" Circular Saw
Milwaukee recently announced their next generation of tools and batteries at their annual Pipeline showcase.
Scraping is Quicker than Sanding
No matter what grit sandpaper you use on end grain, there's one hand tool that can get the job done faster: the No. 80 scraper.
Bosch Brushless Planer
Every once in a while I'm fortunate to be struck by serendipitous situations in this job.
Spring Green Saws
Some of the nicest saws around are coming out of Warwick, RI, at the hands of Charlie Earnest.
Bank Manager's Desk
With its quartersawn oak, and Arts & Crafts finish, this desk is sure to serve generations to come.
Record Stand
Brush up on your precision miters, and build this mid-century inspired record player stand.
Carving a Spoon
Wooden spoons can be as elaborate or utilitarian as you'd please. Either way, it's a great way to spend time in the shop.