BL Workshop

Make a tool chess set

Submitted by Kathleen Gleaves
Photographs by John R. Fulton Jr.
From the March 2003 Boys' Life magazine

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”

Comment page:   « 6 5 [4] 3 2 1 »

1. 34 - sargent bedford says:
   November 12th, 2007 at 5:35 pm

   not medival medicoooolllnice work dude give me 5

2. 33 - bobby loe says:
   November 1st, 2007 at 6:42 pm

   i havent madfe this

3. 32 - E19 says:
   October 6th, 2007 at 7:34 pm

   I think it is very cool how you can make fun stuff like a chess set with things from around the house.

4. 31 - jt says:
   September 11th, 2007 at 7:42 am

   interesting

5. 30 - Dedropedro says:
   September 8th, 2007 at 7:45 pm

   COOL

6. 29 - cakeboy says:
   August 5th, 2007 at 5:34 pm

   It would be a good way to make money but would take while

7. 28 - yman123 says:
   August 2nd, 2007 at 7:08 pm

   awesome dude where did u get the idea

8. 27 - mee says:
   August 1st, 2007 at 8:28 am

   I am soo doing that like NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

9. 26 - karl franz says:
   July 31st, 2007 at 7:44 pm

   this looks like a pretty good way to gt rid of those extra nuts and bolts while having fun doing it. Its a good present to!=)

10. 25 - corky says:
    July 29th, 2007 at 5:45 pm

    cool:

Comment page:   « 6 5 [4] 3 2 1 »

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