A custom chess set can be an opportunity to show your unique personality. Making your own pieces will be a creative process that will make future games even more fun. No matter who says “checkmate,” you and your opponent can appreciate the creative work that went into designing the set.
Choose your material
Two of the most obvious choices for a chess set are wood and metal. Many modern wood pieces are produced on a rotating lathe. If you are not interested in expensive woodworking equipment, you can buy dowels and small blocks of wood. Minor modifications should be enough to make parts distinct from each other. Cut 16 short pieces to use as pawns and reserve the tallest four to make kings and queens. A pocket knife and a small saw should suffice for a minimalist wood setup.
Players who prefer a large collection of parts may enjoy collecting nuts and bolts of different sizes. If your local hardware store sells nuts individually, this aisle might be an ideal space to try out different combinations of bolts and washers. The pieces must stand on their own and it must be clear which piece represents the bishop, the pawn, the rook, etc. Nothing complicates a game like forgetting which piece is which. Thin bolts can be bent into curves to serve as knights.
painting the teams
Two contrasting colors should be chosen for each side. A craftsman who prides himself on carving and carving may choose to use light and dark varnishes instead of paint. For metal, priming and painting provide the added benefit of preventing rust and corrosion. Bare metal and wood can also look attractive, but the distinction between each side should be obvious at a glance. If bare metal surfaces are used, it is worth investing in stainless steel.
create a board
Some designers may have grown tired of the whole idea of DIY by now. For those who are less into boards, store-bought boards work just as well. If unique colors were chosen with paint or varnish, it will probably be more satisfying to play on a board with a matching scheme. Consider starting with a small square of plywood and applying varnish (or paint) over a checkered tape pattern. Be sure to remove the tape before the paint is completely dry, cutting off the edges if it sticks. A metal or glass playing surface may also be possible, depending on your collection of tools and skills. When in doubt, always consider asking the person at your local hardware store.
Collecting the necessary nuts and bolts for a chess set may not come cheap. If all the parts are purchased new, the cost can easily turn into a significant expense. There are sixteen pawns and sixteen other pieces to consider, plus the cost of paint or other materials. A plastic kit from the store is less expensive, but the purchase is far less satisfying than completing a DIY project. For just about anything DIY, even some board games, the hardware store is a great place to start.
