BL Workshop
Make a tool chess set
Making your own chess set can be as easy as digging around in your dad’s spare parts drawer.
Wing nuts, anchor caps, bolts, washers and a few other odd pieces of specialty hardware are all you need to make your own version of the “tool chess” set.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED AND HOW YOU’LL DO IT
Total cost: an hour’s time and less than $10. And if you ever lose a piece, you can make another for next to nothing!
Remember: You need a total of 16 pawns, four rooks (also called castles), four knights, four bishops, two kings and two all-powerful queens. And you’ll need to paint one set a different color.
Follow the instructions below, or spend some time browsing at the hardware store for pieces to customize your set.
You’ll also need to get some white glue, spray paint, pliers and a screwdriver.
PAWNS
For each pawn (16):
- 5/16 by 3/4-inch hexagonal (six-sided or regular) cap bolts
- 5/16-inch hexagonal nuts
Thread nut onto bolt until 1/4 inch of bolt rises above the nut. Glue in place.
ROOKS OR CASTLES
For each rook (4):
- 5/16 by 1 1/2-inch hexagonal nut sleeve anchors
Use sleeve anchor as is.
KNIGHTS
For each knight (4):
- 1/4 by 2-inch eye bolts with nuts
Thread nut onto eye bolt until edge of bolt is even with nut. Glue in place by applying glue to the threads of the bolt, twisting on the nut, then wiping off the excess.
BISHOPS
For each bishop (4):
- 5/16 by 1 1/2-inch hexagonal cap bolts
- 5/16-inch wing nuts
- 5/16-inch locking nuts with nylon inserts
Thread wing nut onto bolt. Thread insert lock onto bolt, and tighten. Secure wing nut against insert lock.
KINGS
For each king (2):
- 3/16-inch hollow wall anchors (long)
- No. 14 finishing washers
- 1/4-inch flat washers
- 1/4-inch wing nuts
- 1/4-inch anchor caps
Grip end of hollow wall anchor with pliers, tighten screw with screwdriver until metal strips flair out. Remove center screw, add finish washer, replace screw into wall anchor. Add flat washer. Thread wing nut onto screw end, then tighten anchor cap to end of screw.
QUEENS
For each queen (2):
- 3/16-inch hollow wall anchors (short)
- No. 14 finish washers
- 1/4-inch wing nuts
- 5/16-inch external toothed washers
- 1/4-inch nylon insert locks
Tighten screw of hollow wall anchor as for kings. Remove center screw, add finish washer, replace screw into wall anchor. Thread wing nut onto screw end upside down. Then add toothed washed and tighten locking nut to end of screw.
FINAL TOUCHES
Spray paint one team. While it dries, practice saying “Checkmate!” You’re ready to play.
Read 45 comments about “Make a tool chess set”
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September 6th, 2008 at 9:23 am
this is cool…im totally gonna make it…i think its totally awesome
September 6th, 2008 at 9:13 am
hey…this is awesome…i totally am going to make it…thanx for the idea!!!!
June 26th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
i love chess and i think it is awesome
June 6th, 2008 at 9:23 pm
Who care if chess is cool or not, its fun! I am a nerd and think these set is sweet! The only thing I would add is how to make a board out of some kind of like metal.
May 11th, 2008 at 10:25 am
Is the spray paint part a mess to do?
March 25th, 2008 at 8:05 am
For the king and queen pieces, the instructions call for a 3/16 wall anchor and 1/4 inch wing nuts. These are supposed to be the same or else they won’t fit. Otherwise, this is really cool!
March 24th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
hey cool chess set maby i will do the same thing only cange it a bit
March 22nd, 2008 at 5:31 pm
It is a very intriguiging to me. That means it is wicked cool.
March 16th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
I made a chess board I made out of tile that i have been planning to use this set with
February 22nd, 2008 at 3:54 pm
I really want to make this! Great job!
I LOVE chess! And don’t worry, it still isn’t cool (wait, why shouldn’t you worry?). But I don’t care. Chess is chess! Checkmate on!