Hey everyone!
I'm working on a chess board project using only hand tools, and I've successfully laminated together eight sticks that are 2" x 16"+ for the first side. I did my best to keep them the same width and square, but there's a little variance—though not bad for my first attempt!
For the next step, I need to cut across these pieces to ensure they're all the same width, especially since I want the alternating pieces to fit well when glued together. I really want to avoid any mistakes here because if I mess up these cuts, I can't easily replace any of the wood.
I've been considering using a stop block with my sawyer's hooks but am struggling to figure out the best way to do that. Any advice from you woodworking enthusiasts would be greatly appreciated!
3 Answers
It seems like you're using a method that’s typically more suited to a table saw for precision. Traditionally, chess boards were made using veneer that gets assembled and glued onto a base. If you want to stick with your hand tools, a good miter box with a stop block could help guide your saw for those repeatable cuts. Just know, with a lot of patience and practice, you can get good results, but this project leans towards being more of a machine work kinda deal.
For a project like this using manual tools, I’d recommend making a shooting board to square up your cuts, which can help bring them down to the right dimensions. It’s a bit more work compared to veneer, but if you're committed to using solid pieces, it can give you the accuracy you're looking for!
If you're determined to go the hand tool route, consider using a striking fixture to mark your stock to a fixed size. This method is effective but can be quite tedious. Alternatively, after cutting your first row, you could mark and adjust each subsequent piece to create a straight edge as you go along. It’s doable, just be aware it’s a process that takes time!