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 54 comments about “Make a tool chess set”
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Comment page: « 6 5 4 [3] 2 1 »
If you enjoy disapproving looks from those around you, then this trick is for you!
July 26th, 2007 at 12:00 pm
I haven’t made it yet, but I think I’m gonna try it next weekend with my dad. I’m on the school chess team and am pretty good, so this is defnitely something I would like to do. It looks a little hard though, but then, so are most of the other project ideas! Thanks for the cool chess set idea!
July 16th, 2007 at 12:41 pm
thats cool a ches set wid tools
July 10th, 2007 at 5:55 pm
It’s Too Cool Tool Chess Set. I can’t wait to make it with my dad.
July 10th, 2007 at 12:57 pm
it isnt a good idea because of global warming lol!
July 10th, 2007 at 12:57 pm
i hate chess!!!!!!!!!!!
July 8th, 2007 at 4:11 pm
THIS IS A GREAT WAY TO GET RID OF JUNK!
July 8th, 2007 at 11:32 am
this is so cool I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
July 7th, 2007 at 4:21 pm
That looks so cool- I can’t wait to make it! I’m gonna try to find a way to make a cool chessboard out of those things
July 7th, 2007 at 3:00 pm
cool
July 6th, 2007 at 6:26 pm
But can you make a cool chessboard out of things like that?