Hi everyone!
I am ready to start blitzing out these last few videos like a game of bullet chess / speed chess with 10 seconds left on the clock. But I refuse to sacrifice the queen video quality for the sake of speed, so as usual, here is a detailed video of the process I went through to make the queens pieces for my hand made chess set. The queen is an important piece to get right, from design all the way through the turning process and finally to the carving of the crown (circlet). The queen is the strongest piece and so it needs to be made to look strong. But the queen is also a feminine piece and so it needs a certain grace and elegance. These two design factors help reflect the true nature of the queens character on the chess board and the complexity she brings to the game. (WOW, I almost sound like I know what I'm talking about.... hmmmm perhaps I should play some chess and upload the videos.....;) ) any way. In this video I turn the Chess Queen and carve the queens crown to the proper shape.

I had a great time making this chess set, and though turning each piece by hand is a laborious process, the satisfaction of holding those hand made chess men, seeing them take shape on the lathe, it is an indescribable feeling of accomplishment that comes over you after the last piece is turned. I am so happy to have all you "do it yourself" people, woodworkers, wood turners, Crafters, Makers, chess players, and random YouTube nerds along for the journey.

Hope you enjoy!
Conrad Craft