How to Make DIY Wood Chess Pieces

Jay CorkJay CorkUpdated: Feb. 02, 2023

Put your own spin on a classic game.

Fh Su Jc Chesspieces LedeFamily Handyman
Next Project
Time

A half day

Complexity

Intermediate

Cost

$10-$20

Introduction

Sure, you can go buy a set of chess game pieces. But they’re probably made overseas, and you can be sure they look exactly the same as every other set out there. Here’s an alternative – make your own. It’s easy to do and your chess set will be absolutely unique!

Tools Required

  • Miter saw
  • Table saw

Materials Required

  • 5/4 x 36" Maple
  • 5/4 x 36" Walnut

Cutting List

KEY QTY. PART NAME DIMENSIONS
A 2 King 1″ x 1″ x 3-1/2″
B 2 Queen 1″ x 1″ x 3″
C 4 Bishop 1″ x 1″ x 2-1/2″
D 4 Knight 1″ x 1″ x 2-1/2″
E 4 Rook 1″ x 1″ x 2″
F 16 Pawn 1″ x 1″ x 1-1/2″

Project step-by-step (9)

Step 1

Make a Sled for Safe Cutting

All the detail cuts will be made on the table saw. Adding a sacrificial board to the miter slider or making a crosscut sled will make these much safer and more accurate.

Step 2

Prepare the Blanks

This design calls for the stock to be milled to one-inch square. In total, you will need 36 inches of both maple and walnut stock. Follow the cut list above and cut all the pieces to length.

Step 3

Cut the Lower Ring

Once the pieces are cut to length, it’s time to make the detail cuts. Start with the lower ring and make a 1/8-inch deep cut on all the pieces. For the pawns, this is the only cut.

Fh Su Jc Chesspieces PawnFamily Handyman

Step 4

Make the Crown Cuts

For the King and Queen, flip the part around and make the first of the “crown” cuts.

Fh Su Jc Chesspieces QueenFamily Handyman

Step 5

Finish the Details

Move the stop block on the sled a 1/4-inch further away from the blade and make another succession of cuts on the King and Queen. For the King, repeat this process one more time, giving him a crown of three rings.

Fh Su Jc Chesspieces KingFamily Handyman

Step 6

Make the Bishops

As you can see, the Bishops have no crown cuts and two rings in their midriff. Set up your sled to make the first ring of cuts one inch from the top, and the second ring 1/4-inch lower than the first.

Fh Su Jc Chesspieces BishopFamily Handyman

Step 7

Make the Knights

The Knights have an angled cut on one face. Make this cut last; the angled cut will destroy the sled’s effectiveness.

Fh Su Jc Chesspieces KnightFamily Handyman

Step 8

Make the Rooks

To make the castle shape, raise the table saw blade one inch above the table and set your fence to 7/16-inch. This will center the “castle” cut. Push the top of the piece into the blade about 7/8-inch.

Pro tip: Make one cut and turn the saw off, leaving the piece where it sits. After the blade stops spinning, make a pencil mark on the fence at the top of the Rook piece, then remove it. Push a piece of scrap wood through the blade, stopping at that mark, and clamp it to the fence. This makes these cuts much safer and more accurate.

Fh Su Jc Chesspieces RookFamily Handyman

Step 9

Finish and Start Playing

Sand all of your chess pieces and apply the wood finish of your choice to protect them. Given the amount of handling chess pieces receive, I suggest a couple of coats of wipe-on-poly to stand up to the dirt and natural oils on our hands.

And that’s it, you’re finished. Time to grab a chess board and start playing.

Originally Published: February 02, 2023