Think I'll be taking a hiatus

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Russianwolf

Russianwolf

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Joined
Jul 13, 2007
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Location
Martinsburg, WV, USA.
I think that's how you spell it.

I originally bought my lathe to make chessmen to go along eith boards that I already make. Since then I've made a sum total of 12 chessmen on it. Pens are fun and I'll keep making them as people buy them, but I think it's time to shift my focus back to the passion that led me to the lathe in the beginning. So if you guys don't see much of me for a while, don't worry, I'm still around, just doing other things.

Heck, I'm even working on ways to use my little scrap pieces that should keep them out of the burn pile. especially for the pieces like the Bog Oak and nice Burls.

Anyway, Later.
 
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Mike,
Don't go away to far, I may need some more of that bog oak you sold me in the future. Whatever your going to make, chess pieces, pens, candle holder or whatever, I'm sure they will all be as professionally done as the pens we have seen you post on the site. Still hope to see your posts when you feel like showing your stuff off. Good luck, Alex
 
I can relate...

I ebb and flood between all of my hobbies and activities as well. I always have and always will. "Jack of all trades, master of none" should be in my signature.
 
Good luck and have fun. I think that's why most if not all of the folks here do it. I'm just curious, is "ChessPieceTurners.org" as much fun as this place? (They have to have a forum of their own, there are more than 3 people in the world who do it) :) I know that the pens you've posted has helped set the standard for what I will strive to achieve.

Steve
(who understands the need to shift focus on occasion)
 
If it isn't fun anymore it's work, right? Keep peeking in once in awhile Mike.:) Chris is right also, between my honey dos and handyman work in my neighborhood I am exhausted and turning becomes a chore.
 
OK Mike, there IS a forum here called "OTHER THINGS YOU MAKE"! We expect to see some picts of chessmen and even some boards posted there! :biggrin:
 
leehljp said:
OK Mike, there IS a forum here called "OTHER THINGS YOU MAKE"! We expect to see some picts of chessmen and even some boards posted there! :biggrin:
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That's what I was thinking! I've made a chess board and set and really enjoyed it. I love to see some of your work Mike.
 
Just remember, Mike - I need bog oak!! :biggrin:

And I'd love to see some of the chess pieces you've made. I love chessboards and chess pieces - I suck at playing, but I love seeing new and interesting boards and sets.
 
Oh I won't disappear totally, or be far away (a lathe is still a lathe after all) I just won't be making as many pens for a while. Chess sets for some reason take more than an hour to knock one out (still can't figure out why :confused:) So I'll just be spending more time in the shop with fewer finished projects.
 
Mike,

I am w/o a shop for almost 8 months now...but still "active" here :biggrin: Hopefully it will change. I have a "honey-do" project that will require unpacking the lathe (don't know where to yet) but might get me started again.

I agree with the "other things you make" forum...that is where my project will end up. :wink: Do post the chess pieces there, I for one would love to see them.
 
Russianwolf said:
I think that's how you spell it.

I originally bought my lathe to make chessmen to go along eith boards that I already make. Since then I've made a sum total of 12 chessmen on it. Pens are fun and I'll keep making them as people buy them, but I think it's time to shift my focus back to the passion that led me to the lathe in the beginning. So if you guys don't see much of me for a while, don't worry, I'm still around, just doing other things.

Heck, I'm even working on ways to use my little scrap pieces that should keep them out of the burn pile. especially for the pieces like the Bog Oak and nice Burls.

Anyway, Later.
Click to expand...

Mike,
before you go, please post a couple of pictures of your chessmen... I've been collecting pictures of chessmen to eventually make a couple of sets myself... would love to see your style and what you've made.

Also a note on how you make your chess boards... Oh and don't stay away too long.
 
ozmandus said:
Mike,
before you go, please post a couple of pictures of your chessmen... I've been collecting pictures of chessmen to eventually make a couple of sets myself... would love to see your style and what you've made.

Also a note on how you make your chess boards... Oh and don't stay away too long.
Click to expand...

got to make some first. :biggrin:

Seriously, the first set I designed and made was made entirely on the tablesaw since that's all I had at the time. I'm planning to make more of these as well as a turned variant. Then I'll be branching into some of the turned and non-turned sets from history. Don't expect to see any Staunton sets from me. Too common. Here's a pic of that first set and some of the boards I've made (can someone spot the specialty board???).
 

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Do you want me to give your pen order to someone else?:biggrin:

Do you sell the boards? My 8 year old son loves to play chess and I've been meaning to make him a board. I don't really have the equipment to do a great job on flat work. My table saw sucks.
 
Mike, I think sometimes a break, or change of pace is a great thing.
We'll miss your nice pens, and be anxious to see some of your other work.:)
 
fiferb said:
How come there's so many squares on those maple and walnut boards?
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That's actually Elm and Walnut. The boards were commissioned by a game maker that was developing a new chess variant. It's actually three games in one as there were holes drilled to hold pegs that would contain the center 8x8 board, and 12x12 board, with the third game being the full 246 squares and 32 men on each side. It was fun to make but even with the 1.5 inch squares we decided on, HUGE. He didn't realize how big the playing area would be until he had the boards in hand, or how heavy(each wieghed about 10 lbs).
 
kent4Him said:
Do you want me to give your pen order to someone else?:biggrin:

Do you sell the boards? My 8 year old son loves to play chess and I've been meaning to make him a board. I don't really have the equipment to do a great job on flat work. My table saw sucks.
Click to expand...

Oh no, I still have plans for those Statesmen. :eek:

I do sell the boards. The first ones I made the only tools I had were my trusty BT3100 tablesaw and a belt sander. I've actually sold some of the tooling I was using in order to buy a drum sander, but then life crept in and stole the funds, so I'm back to the BT and beltsander (and a couple hand planes) now. But let me get a couple sets together and I'll have the funds to speed up again. I'm actually looking forwards to getiing the boards going again.
 
I think that it is great to have many branches of what you pursue. Besides turning I also do upholstery and it uses different skills, thought process and imagination. Hope to see some of your work as you go along.
 
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