Making a Folding Travel Chess Board with Magnets

Mike, you are the definition of a craftsman. I never get tired of watching your videos.

I have been looking forward to this video for a long time. You made this board for my dad not too long before he passed away at the age of 42. Thanks to you I now have this beautiful board to cherish and play with. It was my dad’s favorite possession and now it is mine. Thank you so much for all the hard work you put into this board. Really. I am very happy with it. And so was dad.

If you were to make another folding board would you add hinges? Even though the magnets hold it nicely when folded. Be neat to see you make a folding board with storage for the chess pieces.

Classic music, chess, and woodworking!! man you have such CLASS!! Thank you very much for a great video! The final board looks fantastic!

I’m glad I found you, what an elegant touch been watching your stuff a couple days now just can’t stop! What a great artist in your own way! Keep up the great work my friend!

Glad I'm not the only one that loves a maple/sepele combo. Board looks great!

Growing up I watched a lot of Norm Abram new Yankee work shop and a lot of Roy Underhill wood wright shop and I never seen them build a chessboard before. I gotta say you are 1 of the greats.👍

Wonderful woodwork video Mike. I myself however have come to the sad conclusion, that it is not possible to hold a folding chess board open with just magnets. My attempt was to make it seemless; so there was no need for a locking mechanism on the side. But I don't think a 2 x hinge folding chess board can remain open, from just neodymium magnets alone. I have so far used 24 x 10mm x 3mm magnets, across 4 separate areas. Which prevents the board from closing, when held at 45 degrees. Obviously one could use 20mm magnets, but the height of a chess board is only 20mm. Every magnet you incorporate into the wood, either side, adds more weight; that the magnets have to prevent closing. I was originally hoping the board could remain 'locked' open, from the strength of the magnets alone. But I don't think it's physically possible. 🙁

Love this type of vid. Going into the vault and seeing how you’ve evolved. Well done.

And looking forward to seeing that CNC video. I bought a Next Wave HD510 about a year ago. Love it, but it's a steep learning curve to keep everthing in unison (feed rate, deptch of each pass, spindle speed, etc.).

Another beautiful board. Great work Mike. I really like the intro. It made me pay special attention to the improvements you have made. Always a fan of process improvements. The handful you point out are excellent. Great idea to bring in this element in your video.

Amazing, Mike... That's a real work of art! 😃 Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

Quite lovely. I'll need a board like this at some point in my future.

Silicone molds of each half without the joining magnets inserted would be lovely. [hint, hint]

In the process of making this chess board following your presentation. Regards Paul 🇮🇪

It looks like a backgammon box. Some countries call it Tavla. But they mainly use hinges and a latch to fold it .

This board is super sexy! Would be great to have for traveling. I've been wanting to make a travel board which holds the pieces as well. That CNC machine is a game changer. Thanks for posting your amazing work!

very beautiful board...thanks for sharing!

I would love to have one built like this!

Its totally an Art, and Mike you are an artist.