Added: 3 years ago
From: stevinmarin
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  • YES, i did sit through all seven videos. I enjoyed them actually! Thank you for showing people that beautiful things can be made with entry level tooling. i have a fairly advanced wood shop though it is very small only 24 x 32. but i am still able to build many museum quality pieces and i have even build a few actual museums! on site of course not in my shop!

    Again many thanks for showing people that they can really enjoy wood working and just ad tooling as there abilities/demand allows!

  • These are fantastic videos! I never knew you could get wood that glossy.

    Just a suggestion for future chess board makers. I would stop with a satin finish if you intend on using the board for competitive play. The high gloss can become very irritating to stare and becomes distracting. I know this from experience and having played tournament games on shiny boards.

    Incredible work! Great wood choices! I learned so much!!

  • I learned so much through all 7 videos. A great project! I don't know if I would attempt something this complex just yet, though. Definitely gave me a lot of inspiration. I also always wondered how to get a glass-like finish on wood, and now I know. I really can appreciate now how much work goes into some of these projects and why hand-made furniture is so expensive. Well worth the money! I love watching all your videos, Steve. Thanks!

  • You're not seriously thinking of playing chess on that are you!? I wouldn't dare!!

    Fantastic vuds - thanks for taking the time to do them.

  • Hi Steve. I watched all 7 and love the project. Will give it a try myself.

  • I WATCHED ALL 7

  • It is impossible not to watch all 7 parts! You are so inspiring, the more I watch your videos the more I want to copy you.

    Btw you make fantastic (unintended) commercials for products you use, like Minwax etc. they should donate.

    And for the end, it seems like you sanded away all the sealer. Can you, please talk more about sealer, how it works and what it does?

    Thank you very much, I have a strong wish to comment every video, but I don't want to be too annoying. Count that I like every video!

  • Beautiful work ... beautiful finish .... only thing is no seroius chess player wants to look at a high gloss board ... among other distractions he would see his opponent from an unpleasant angle!

    Satin finishes are best for boards to play serious chess on. Brilliant series though :-)

  • all 7, very nice work. Somehow you don't strike me as an ametuer. With one project under my belt (toddler bed) you are advanced to me. I guess it is all relative. Vids a great help to people starting like myself.

  • great video series! watched all seven. you are very talented and even more patient. currently working on a chess set of my own, the board is the next step. well done!

  • Wow so mellow and proffesional back then. looks good where is it now?

  • Just watched all 7 "episodes" here in Brighton UK on Boxing day. Very enjoyable. You've got OCD man but you've created an antique for the future! Respek!!!

    Wish you could build me a backgammon board!!!!

  • This is amazing, i watched all 7, I am a chess player, when I was in high school I played chess a ton, I was top 5 in state for Utah, Idaho, and Oregon in I think 03 or 04? It's been a while so I cant remember the exact year lol. I really wish I had a shop where I could make one of these it is so nice. Just out of random curiosity would you ever be willing to make more of these and sell them to your fans? Or if there would be a way for someone like me to get you to make one and sell it to me?

  • It was fun watching all 7 videos! Thank you!

  • wooow!!! Im subscribing greetings from Mexico City!..

  • absolutely splendid!

  • Sat through all seven episodes...learnt a lot especially about the finishing. Thanks Steve.

  • i went through all 7. it looks amazing!

  • I went through all 7 episodes:) Good job! It looks beautiful!

  • I watched all the videos and all I can say is WOW! That is a beautiful chess board! I hope to make a similar one! Great instruction for us new wood working guys!

  • I love all your vids, VERY helpful and I watched all 7 episodes straight through post more soon

  • One of the most beautiful chessboards I have ever seen. Really.

  • Down to a GLA-A-A-S-S-S-Y-Y  finish! hihi love it.

  • do you do the lengthy sanding procedure on the sides as well?

  • That is quite possibly the most beautiful board that I have seen yet. Especially since i know all the work that went in to it. Congrats mate.

  • sorry what grits do you use?

    

  • Great video!-what grit do you sand up to with wet sand?

  • You are the man. I really enjoyed watching this series.

  • Excellent job!

  • Fantastic! Any idea of making Chess Pieces using Wood lathe ? I saw all the seven parts Steve and I was amazed. Thank you.

  • It was really cool and interesting to watch the whole project all seven parts. thanks : )

  • Steve, this is an amazing work. I went through all your 7 parts. Its just awesome. Keep up the good work.

  • Yes sir, I watched all 7 and I learned so much. Off to the hardward store right now for some sweet woods. Thanks mate. Great lessons learned here.

  • Hi Steve, Just started watching your vids this last 3-4 days - very informative and light relief at the same time!

    I've sat through 7 out of 7, and was amazed by your dedication to getting the right finish on the chess board. Stunning!

    You have helped me better understand woodworking + the variety of projects you do gives 'wannabee' woodoworkers real inspiration to jump right in! I'm now seeking the beginners tools you recommended. Merci bien!

    James, from England, but living in Clisson, France.

  • Thanks it was very interesting. Greetings from Mexico.

  • Beautiful board! 

  • amazing !

  • Awesome. Simply and amazing end product. Patience and dedication...Thanks for sharing.

  • Wow! Now thats cool! I think i'm gonna have to get me some wall nut and maple and give this a go! Awesome job mate!

  • I watch all 7 vid's. You did a beautiful chess board and box/drawers. The finish is awesome! Well done :-)

  • Great Video Steve, and yes I watched all 7 episodes, great !! love Brubeck as well. Keep up the great work your doing, Thanks

    Frank Melnitchi (woodworker)

  • just when i thought it was finished you pop up and tell us about youre next project :))) really very very well done great fun to watch :))

  • Nice...but..i have to get back...and go again step bay step.

    Merci Beaucoup !!

  • where do you get the abrasiveness powder (hummus)? Homedepot? Ace?

  • @TheDeltaFlight Possbibly. Rockler and WOodcraft carry it.

  • hi steve

    i have recently completed my chess board following your video i have also made the chess pieces and am very pleased with the results i got a lot of encourageing comments at my local woodturning club so a very big thankyou to you

    i have got one small problem with the checkered inlayd board it has gone from a glass smooth finish to a slightly raised feel on the joints do you have any advise i have used the same materials as you cheers Robby

    email wood-n-things@live.co.uk

  • hey im thinking of making a chess set just like yours. its for a school major project and i was wondering how long it took you overall?, because being at school i have limited time to do it in

  • Awesome job Steve.

  • very nice

    

  • That's a beautiful finish, Steve. Bravo!

  • This inspired me to build my own. I just built my first project, an end grain cutting board with walnut and hard maple... Kind of looks like a chess board, :p

  • Yep, sat through all 7 parts. Nicely done! The finish is unreal!

  • Wyatt is awesome! I kept wondering, "Who is shooting this video and why are we always looking up at our carpenter?" Now I know. As for "really basic tools . . . stones knives and bear skins," I only wish I had the tools and the shop you have. Thanks.

  • I've watched all seven episodes, and I actually made one that turned quite good =D Thank you very much, I've learned a lot from you =D =D

  • Im 13 im working on a simplified version of this i only have a table saw a miter saw an a sander its going to be hard but your videos help me so much

  • This was very educational. I really like your style of woodworking. I am an amateur (very amateur) wood worker and I find you to be the most helpful. You have a knack for teaching. Thank you! And yes, I watched all seven!!

  • This was very educational. I really like your style of woodworking. I am an amateur (very amateur) wood worker and I find you to be the most helpful. You have a knack for teaching. Thank you! And yes, I watched all seven!!

  • beautiful, hoping to start piking this up as a hobby after my service :)

  • Well done to both of you.

    Off i go to make my chessbord

  • Hey Steven Marin great video I really enjoyed, and yes I sat thru all 7 videos. When will you be doing the pieces I was looking for them I could not find it.

  • Where did you source the chess pieces? 

  • Amazing first video, insperational work. i'm going downstairs now to throw my vanity unit project in the bin!

  • this is the most amazing thing I've seen on youtube. thanks for taking time to make this

  • WOW!!!!! amazing job, not an amateur by a long shot.

  • thats surely worth atleast 600 or 700 pounds or dollars :D

    sell it on ebay!!!

  • You cut your hair in this video. Are you sure that you are an amateur wood working ??? Very nice videos, nice project !

  • Exceptional, very nice work

  • BRAVO! You should list your finished products on Ebay buddy.

  • I loved watching these videos. You do great work and are also lots of fun to watch! I also love the fact that you used Blue Rondo as your theme music! :)

  • Man placed a glass over the board. :)  nice work finish

  • Amazing job, truly inspiring.

  • Very nice vids. I have learned a lot by watching you. Thank you . I have recently started a band saw box after watching your video . Guess I will have to make a chess board now!!!!! And yes I did watch all 7 parts!!!!!

  • @The09121971 Thanks. Those band saw boxes are addicting to make!

  • Very nice vids. I have learned a lot by watching you. Thank you . I have recently started a band saw box after watching your video . Guess I will have to make a chess board now!!!!!

  • Just finished watching all 7... WOW! That was inspirational...

    Now if I can get off my lazy *** and try that out myself ;)

  • Steve I just wanted to say thanks for you taking the time to make these videos. Most people have no idea how long it takes to even make the video let lone the woodworking project. You do a really great job at both.

    Thanks

  • What an amazing adventure in wood work. Thank you for sharing your experience. All 7 parts were equaling engaging and informative. Now I know what it takes to make "glass" on wood.

  • Gracias por compartir como hacer una hermosa mesa de ajedrez aunque para mi es un obra de arte.

  • I went through and watched all of these again. My niece wants me to build a chess table for her son who is totally into chess right now. I was planning to use your basic design and either make a set of legs that could be removed; or just replace the corner blocks with legs. I'm not sure yet.

    Thanks for all the video inspiration, Steve. By the way, your box of wood is still sitting in my office waiting to get mailed, haven't gotten the spare cash together yet. You will get it eventually.

  • Well im a 17 year old High School Student and I just finished working on a chess board of my own in wood shop using almost this exact technique thinking it was my own idea (im a little late) but i chose to use tung oil finish to really make the grain pop especially because i chose to use curly maple and crotch cut walnut, but my questions is have you tried to make pieces yet? also using such a thin top did you ever experience any splitting? i used a 5/8 top piece to add stability

  • @xxxxhixxx I haven't had any splitting, but a 5/8" top is probably a better idea. I was being cheap!

  • Hi this Anthony, love your work.

  • @stevinmarin thank you a lot for your 7 videos i really liked it.Especially this part where you trying to create a perfect chess board surface.you spend so much time to make it perfect omg.After i saw your finished chess board i understood that my gf not so beautiful:)

  • I am totally blown away. Just an amazing project and great design and planning. Clearly lots of thought. Bookmarked for my future project and inspiration.

  • awesome videos. thanks for the show. awesome job to your camera man

  • Hey Steve, great project!

    When will you make the Chess Pieces?

    That'll be some project!!!

  • 170 likes, 0 deslikes! great going! :D

  • I learned more about finishing than anything. The drawers, case, inlay and top are all beautiful but the effort and confidence in your finish are absolutely inspiring. You may be a hobbyist, but in no way are you an amateur. Bravo, Steve!

  • steve this is beautiful, congrats on some fine work and i hope you'll be continuing to make great videos like these

  • amazing! you take hobby woodwork to the next level. It is taking me ages to work through all your demos

  • Steve,

    This was great. I appreciate Wyatt and his camera work. I hope he was paid well. I would like for you to post how many hours were put into this project. Again, this was an excellent video and thanks.

  • dude!!! you're the man... this is my next project... thanks for the info... you need to make pieces... may i suggest something like the pieces Man Ray made in the 40's.. just a thought.

  • Bro! That was freaking sweet as mate! I'm a high school student and I was thinking of making a Chess Board for my tech project, of course mine won't be as good as yours, but you really did help and inspire me! :D

  • tell Wyatt he did a fantastic job! ( I have a son named Wyat )

    Nice work1

  • Brilliant. Cheers

  • Thank you, Great Video...Great Work...Enjoy.....

  • Great vid *sub*

    I did indeed sit through all seven, I couldn't stop watching, you've inspired me... and now it's almost 2 in the morning!

    One question, what is the simplest thing to make, I ask not because I have low ambitions but because I literally have no tools.

    

  • surprised I haven't seen a 'thumbs up if you' comment yet :P great videos. watched all 7

  • I watched all 7...great video. Maybe one day I can do something like that.

  • that's great! thank you for sharing :)

  • Watched all seven :). Lots of very helpful info and ideas even for use at my [much] less skilled & refined level; thanks for taking the time to share!

  • Great stuff. I love your videos. Watched all 7. I made one before I saw this and used walnut and quilted maple but I put purple heart in between each square and yellow heart, purple heart and maple to border the board. Can't wait to put a finish on it. Probably not as shinny though to avoid scrathces from use.

  • You've said "basic tools only" but you got quite a shop there.

    I only have a dremmel and some handtools, just for comparison, but i really enjoyed watching it actually.

    It's always really cool seeing something "come together" and growing in the hands of a craftsman, i would only change the knobs to something a bit more elegant, but otherwise it's just perfect. :)

    Thank you a lot for sharing this with us.

  • I sat through all seven videos and loved them all. Thanks for the great tutorial! Wyatt did an excellent job recording, too!

  • very nice i watched all videos

  • I would love to see you make the pieces. The board is beautiful and that is all i can say about it just beautiful.

  • Got through all 7! :) Great stuff, keep up the good work! Can't wait to see you make the pieces, that'll be a challenge!

  • Hey Steve, i am an aspiring wood worker, 18 young, and I am just floored by the work and time in this I've been thinking about making a board because I love to play chess but I didn't know where to start and I am going to use your design and STEPS!. I would just like to know what those finnishing abrasives are like commonly used for or the brand thank you!

  • @Jacob6969 A good resource is rockler.com They carry everything you need.

  • I got through all 7 episodes and got amazed, great work ! :)

  • Yo. I' ve made me one with stones and bricks. We use it as a platform for the pigeons to take off.

    And yes, I enjoyed your vid's on this project.. All 7 in a row.

  • Shiny or dull, this is an excellent piece. Way to really take pride in your work, Steve. I can't wait to see how the pieces come out! Have you started them yet?

  • 600 grit? man! my shopping list is getting bigger... But is worthy.

  • Yes I sat though all 7 videos. I also just subscribed to you. That how much I enjoyed them. Keep up the good work. I am also a fan of your brother, he cracks me up. I was also wondering who the camera man was because it was shaking a little. Then I saw it was your son and I thought it was cute. rock on man

  • Amatour? Yeah right...You are freakin insane. Normal humans couldnt do that.

    How much could you sell that for? 1000 dollars?

  • @SumocatProductions Nah...it was a challenge to myself. I still haven't made the pieces and the board sits in the guest room, unused!

  • That was awesome:) I am amator woodworking too, and i'm so impressed wathing you'r job. Just amazing. Greetings from Poland:)

    But... Why you'r slim border have one color? I think, that border near the dark square may have light color and vice versa. I know, that is lot of work, but look more proffesional:)

    P.S. Sorry for my "not perfect" english;)

  • Well done and thank you so much! I sat through all parts and can't wait for the chess pieces. Keep the good work up.

  • I've sat through all the parts.. its just wonderful. Eagerly waiting for the chess pieces. Please post the URL so we could watch (chess pieces)

  • Again...excellent work !!Well done ....AGAIN!!!You always explain things well and describe the mats and how they work....Like Hancock said........."Goooood joooob"

    Congrats and keep them coming .Notis Koundouris Syros island Greece

  • Excellent series. Watched all seven, and thoroughly enjoyed them. We've been wanting to make a Parcheesi board for quite some time now, and many of your methods can be applied to that. Especially enjoyed the finishing process. Great stuff.

  • Excellent series. Watched all seven, and thoroughly enjoyed them. We've been wanting to make a Parcheesi board for quite some time now, and many of your methods can be applied to that. Especially enjoyed the finishing process. Great stuff.

  • "wunderbar" great job, greetings from germany

  • Wow, excellent set of videos... watched all 7 tonight. Will be making at least one board similar to yours next summer. Is there anything you would change about your design if you did it again? Thanks a bunch for the videos, keep it up.

  • i sat through it all, i wanted to see how you were going to make the chess pieces... but it never happened and it still hasn't happened after 2 years, god dammit

  • I watched all 7 parts in one sitting. Thanks for great camera work, Wyatt!

  • Great job! Thanx for sharing!

  • I watched all 7 parts, really nicely done. The detail is a bit beyond me but I'm inspired.

    Just wondering if you ever got round to making the pieces?

    I looked through your other videos and website but couldn't find it. I'd really like to see that if you get round to making them....

  • I watched all seven parts at one sitting.  I have been wanting to build a chess board for a long time. Now, thanks to you, I have the motivation, and, I think, the proper knowledge to proceed. Thank you so much!

  • Bravo! If only more youtube videos were like this. Great advice with just the right level of detail, delivered clearly. Great video and sound quality too given the setting. There are alot of skilled craftsmen who post instructional videos but almost all fail on things like camera work, sound quality and material. really well done. I might not do this exact project but I think this project was a great vehicle as I got a lot of helpful tips and trick out of these videos. Please keep posting.

  • WOW great job! I actually watch every single part, never thought your camera man was a little boy.

  • WOW great job!

  • Hey. Thanks for a great guide..I Really hope you would do the chess piece tortorial for it also!! Need pieces worthy this elegant chessboard!

  • Comment removed

  • it´s a fantastic work i will try to do this project thanks for share this with us man. Grettings from México!

  • That table board came out really really nice. I really enjoyed watching this, good tips, nice editing and good music.

  • of course I watched all the videos... im impressed, you are a rare breed You really helped me understand the finishing process.. there are many woodworkers, but few actually seem to understand the concept of what is taking place... others want plans or to know where you bought a tool at... The only problem you have now.... is the amount of money you are going to spend to find pieces fit for that table... HAAAAAAAA

  • @chesswa just dont go past sanding and rubbing the finish all the way up , stop right before the the grey pad and buff a light satin finish at that point . you will get the neutral finish you desire

  • Sat through all seven. Thanks stevinmarin and cameraman :-) Starting my first chess board soon and will be sure to watch your vids one more time along the way.

  • Great job! I need to get a planer

  • Great project, fun to watch. Maybe I'll give it a try myself some day. Thx!

  • Watched all 7 video’s This was a great project many hours of work, and your finishing technique is great I may look at this again in future projects.

    I think some people have not got the point here this is not about chess this is about wood work. This is a quality piece of high end furniture that will give its maker many hours of enjoyment, and I’m not talking about playing chess here although I am sure it will be used for that also.

  • Please see the World Chess Federations advice on chess equipment:

    and in particular, "Natural wood with sufficient contrast, ... etc., may also be used for boards, which must have a dull or neutral finish, never shiny.

    Maybe I can't post a link?

  • @chesswa I am a woodworker, not a professional chess player.The nice thing is that you can make yours however you like! Good luck!

  • As a chessplayer, I am not sure I'd want to play on it, the reflections from its surface might be quite distracting.

  • As a beginner woodworker, I really enjoyed the videos.

    Youtube seens unable to post my long post, and has known of the problem for three months or si, so I will try splitting it.

  • Sat through all seven parts indeed! I actually couldn't stop! Very informative material.

  • Was there a moment in which you got angry?

  • @dekeppes Sure, but i tend to just take a break then. It ain't a good idea to mix power tools and anger!

  • @stevinmarin Indeed it could cost you.

  • Man, that was a sweet video series!!  And, yes, I did sit through the entire series.

    Thanks Steve and thanks to your awesome cameraman as well. I just learned something very very useful!!!!

    Regards,

    Tim in Athens

  • Muy buen video... Muchas gracias!!!

  • This is a LOT of work for a chessboard... I was thinking about building one to save money but I think I will just fork over the 120 bucks! Great video stevinmarin!

  • If you have access to a spray gun, it works incredibly well for applying the laquer. I used a half laquer half thinner mix on a similar project and it came out very smooth without a whole lot of treatment after the final coat.

  • I really enjoyed this, great video!!

  • i like youre project

  • great series. well done.

  • Hey, were can i get thos 3 powder stuff like the pummus?

  • @Geissler745 I'm pretty sure Rockler.com carries it.

  • @stevinmarin Theres only one problem with that, and that is, I live in canada :P and they dont do shipping out side of the usa

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  • I'm quite impressed with the project as a whole, the quality of the construction shows through in the finished product. The finish you applied is remarkable .... you did not take any short cuts and it certainly shows.

    The filming was also very well done!

    Thanks for taking the time to do this.

    Tim

  • Steve it was fantastic. I am going to be making a chess board at my furniture restoration class. You're a real inspiration.

    Victoria

  • nice nice nice nice work

  • This was a really great series. It's inspired me to give it a try! I was going to use a different tutorial, using a little bit simpler method, but your results are so nice, I think I'll give this one a try!!! Good job! And good job to the camera man also! He did very well!

  • I've really enjoyed watching your series on this project. I'm about to start a chess board project with drawers and your videos were very helpful. Finishing is something I loathe so I'm always looking for a way to cheat. Have you ever done any spray finishing? My buddy does it and says it is amazingly even on the first few applications. I stink at sanding so I would almost certainly fail if I followed the same approach you did.

  • @imhotep9 I've been becoming a real fan of spray laquer and highly recommend it. The nice thing about it is that you can build up many coats very quickly. Plus, you can still rub it out to a really smooth finish.

  • Sorry for posting this in 3 pieces - had trouble posting 1 long one.

    I have gone the paste wood-filler route on a mahogany table top that later got varnished, but I think that the openness of the grain on a chessboard would only add to its beauty.

    Just my opinion.

    Great job!

    Alex

  • Did I sit through all 7? Well, I fast-forwarded through most of the finishing. The glossy finish is not to my taste. I think I will simply shellac it and wax it - this is my favorite finish for surfaces that will not be getting dripped on.

  • Thanks for the video. It was a great project, and a good tutorial. I have been planning a chess table (board built into the top), and this has given me a lot of ideas.

  • si de casualidad hablas un poco de español , te comento que tu video estubo, buenisimo, mañana inicio mi chees

  • Damn it, you need a new camerman man.

  • Thank you for the vidoes. Now I'm inspired to try this!

  • Fantastic Steve. Great work.