Build a Chess Board. Pt.7- Hand-rubbed finish 

you are such a boss. I'm 17 years old and i love wood working i don't really have anyone to teach me so i watch all your videos. this 7 part series was one of the greatest woodworking videos ever. i was wonder what got you inspired to start wood working. thank you for the videos I'm trying to watch all 151 videos, keep on posting!!

I normally don't even bother posting on RU-vid videos, but for this one I just cannot ignore the competancy and expertise put into this project. I've never seen such a shiny finish, not even on glass! I'm looking to become a woodworker for either a hobby or a job and would be honored to pick up some of the skills used in these videos, as well as all of your other woodworking videos. Thanks for sharing these methods with us. It's much appreciated!

I worked on it over the course of about five weekends, whenever I had time. The finishing process definitely takes the most time.

So refreshing to watch these older videos long before the enthusiasm and passion dimmed from the churn of the making big youtube bucks. Camera work obviously wasn't as refined back then. It's been a wild ride. Enjoy your retirement.

I sat down to watch your first project, 2 hours later I'm saying, nope, can't do that, but it was so great watching you. Thank you. And thank you Wyatt.

I learned so much through all 7 videos. A great project! I don't know if I would attempt something this complex just yet, though. Definitely gave me a lot of inspiration. I also always wondered how to get a glass-like finish on wood, and now I know. I really can appreciate now how much work goes into some of these projects and why hand-made furniture is so expensive. Well worth the money! I love watching all your videos, Steve. Thanks!

I love all of your seven videos - Your son is lucky to have a father like yourself.... Thank for the videos - That was a great project and a awesome finish....

Steve you amaze me with your work. I watched this project about a year ago and it's what got me into woodworking, I'm now addicted to it, I just built the wheel barrow project for my uncles garden. Thank you for all the work you do and keep up the good work.

I learned more about finishing than anything. The drawers, case, inlay and top are all beautiful but the effort and confidence in your finish are absolutely inspiring. You may be a hobbyist, but in no way are you an amateur. Bravo, Steve!

Steve, I have to tell you. I recently fell into woodworking about a year ago. I mostly have gotten into it because of your videos. This set seems a lot older then your WWMM series but you have taught me a ton. I can't thank you enough.

I watched all 7 parts. I can't believe how beautiful the board is. I'm amazed. You should start selling them. Incredible job. Thank you for making these videos.

Thanks for watching. One of these days I'll get to the pieces. I'm struggling on the knight...it requires more than basic lathe turning.

Yes Steve, I sat and watched all the videos in a single sitting. You certainly have far better equipment than I have in my shed. I am envious!

Usually I have the attention span of a goldfish, but I found it easy to sit through all seven of these! Amazing work mate, all the hard work definitely paid off, that's the best looking chess board I've ever seen.

its nuts to watch old videos and see how time changes us all.

Steve I just wanted to say thanks for you taking the time to make these videos. Most people have no idea how long it takes to even make the video let lone the woodworking project. You do a really great job at both. Thanks

Steve I'm going to have to say that was by far the best tutorial on how to do a finish. Yes I watched all seven but the final few on the finish was the icing on the cake. Thank You

God Bless the photographer, he did a professional job. Thank you

NICE!! I have never seen anyone walk through the hand rubbing process like that. WHAT A FINISH. Just AWESOME!!!

I am from your future. I went back in time to 2008 to watch your 7 chess board videos. I might watch them again when I have more skills to take on a project like this. Nice work.

Watched all seven and learned a lot. Thanks for posting ... and thanks for giving the cameraman some credit! He did a great job.

Wyatt did a great job with the camera! The hand rubbed finish is awsome. Don't think i'll ever get there, still building functional things that get abused. The whole string of videos is very professional. Great Job!

Steve, you made my Sat morning. I watched all 7 vids. I'm working on a chess board with my son right now. It's just going to be a 1/4" piece of masonite. He's 8 and this proj is all about the layout of the squares, masking tape, razor cuts and layers of paint to get squares then poly and sand the top. I also had a grandpa that had a wood shop. He made furniture and picture frames. Thanks for making the vid. I do a lot of vids and I know how much work it is. Good luck in future projects.

Steve this is like my 3rd time watching ALL 7 PARTS to this video! I cant believe how easy you make all this look!!

Yes, I hunted down every part of this series. Believe it or not, I was looking for exactly this technique for that wonderful finish but nothing was as good as this one. Thank you, Steve!

You mentioned in an earlier video that you don't have the best tools. If there ever was a testament of "its not the tools, it's the craftman that counts", you're certainly it. Excellent series, learned a lot, hope to use the finishing techniques in my turnings. Thanks.

Absolutely beautiful board! My jaw dropped after seeing how glossy it was. I watched all 7 and like the goldfish watching above, I usually have an attention span of 15 minutes :P

I love the super glossy finish as opposed to the satin finish. This was an amazing project that turned out incredibly well. Enjoyed all 7 videos!

Wow, just watched all 7 films for this project. I have to say this is one of the best chessboards i have ever seen made. Your attention to detail is exceptional. You have gained another subscriber. Keep on making these wonderful projects.

7 parts, totally awesome, and totally impressed.

Can't believe I got so hooked watching this. Good job all 7 episodes are captivating. (I don't think my wife would agree though!!!!!) Thank you paul

Just watched all 7. Been watching you for years. That was the best video for getting that piano finish that i have seen. You Rock!

What an amazing adventure in wood work. Thank you for sharing your experience. All 7 parts were equaling engaging and informative. Now I know what it takes to make "glass" on wood.

Not only did I watch them all I have watched them a second time. As a jewelry maker i have an avid interest in polishing any thing to a mirror like finish.

You are too humble! For you sir, are no mere mortal. This is truly beautiful mate

Sat through all seven episodes...learnt a lot especially about the finishing. Thanks Steve.

That is quite possibly the most beautiful board that I have seen yet. Especially since i know all the work that went in to it. Congrats mate.

Absolutely beautiful I enjoyed all seven episodes, and am awe struck with the way this turned out. Makes me feel inadequate in my ability to do woodworking. I have a chess set that I purchased back in the 60's, although they are plastic, they are sculpted with a lot of detail. A chess set such as this one would complement my chess pieces. I have to admit, I did build a chess table with piece holders, and it turned out great. It was for a friend when I was stationed in Katterbach, Germany. The uniqueness of the chess board was that the center 4 squares were about 1 inch tall, the next square of squares was 1 1/2 inches tall and they kept going up by 1/2 inch on each successive row and columns. When playing with this board, it was totally impossible to lose any pieces because it was a 3 dimensional board. As far as I know, my friend that I made this for, still owns this chess set. The tables and the piece holders stacked one on top of the other. I should have taken pictures of this when I had built it. Ah, hind sight is always 20/20.

Amazing. Sat through all 7 episodes, worth every second

That's a really beautiful craft, great tutorial. Thanks

WWWOWWWW BEAUTIFUL YOUR SON MUST BE PROUD OF YOU MY FRIEND.YOU EXPLAIN EVERYTHING SO DETAILED ..THANKS AND GOD BLESS YOU.

Couldn't stop watching I made it through all 7 and that board looked beautiful

Just went through all the seven parts back-to-back and you are truely inspiring. I wish I had the space to put all the tools needed to woodwork and take up beautiful projects like this. But someday I will and will share it with you. Thank you for sharing. Love your videos.

That's a one fine chessboard! :) I had to watch all the seven episode's at once. :) Thank you very much for your video's. Greetings from Finland!

Steve, I`m a recent subscriber and I happily, joyfully, blissfully sat through all 7 parts. You`re the best! I learn some new tip or trick every time I watch your vids. Please, please keep up the good work.

This was very educational. I really like your style of woodworking. I am an amateur (very amateur) wood worker and I find you to be the most helpful. You have a knack for teaching. Thank you! And yes, I watched all seven!!

It still amazes me that you can make wood look so glossy. Great Work!

I sat through all 7 of the video's and loved them all. You truly are a master.

Wow ! I was totally unaware of the huge amount of labor it takes to obtain the end result. I admire your skills ! Congratulations.

A masterclass in lacquering! Thanks so much for that. I'll be putting it into practice this weekend. And yes, I watched every episode too.

i just watched all 7 parts and I'm amazed! you put so much time and work into this! It turned out absolutely beautiful. I thoroughly enjoyed watching this process. Thank you!

Very nice videos. Thanks for the lesson. So much information I'll probably need to revisit most of these at least a second time. And thank your cameraman for me! You couldn't have done it without him.

i sat through all seven,i saved all 7 to my favourites and i will re watch all 7 as i make my own following your guide.Outstanding work and keep these vids coming in please.

I sat through all seven parts. And despite that I dont have nor tools neither materials to build such a magnificent chess board, you surely inspired me to maybe build it in the future. Thank you for videos and sharing master experience. Love them

I just finished art 7 !! Thank you Steve!! It’s amazing to see and understand how much WORK goes into properly finishing the project. So much value in this series! Super grateful for your content. God bless, keep rocking!!

Wyatt is awesome!! Thank you for taking the time to teach this.

Never gonna make one but watched em all for entertainment. Amazing. I wish you would make the pieces.

I'm quite impressed with the project as a whole, the quality of the construction shows through in the finished product. The finish you applied is remarkable .... you did not take any short cuts and it certainly shows. The filming was also very well done! Thanks for taking the time to do this. Tim

I watched all the videos and all I can say is WOW! That is a beautiful chess board! I hope to make a similar one! Great instruction for us new wood working guys!

Wow! Nice gloss! I made it through all 7 videos. As my old supervisor would say, Nicely done!

Six and a half years later Steve and this is still right at the top of the list for my favorites of your projects!

all seven parts one after the other and it was brilliant, you really are very good at wood working and an inspiration to everyone who watches your videos!

Yes, I did sit through all 7 Parts, and it was really fun. Thank you. Just amazing.

WOW!!! that finish is amazing can't believe i'm only now getting round to watching this series of videos. Nice work Steve.

I watched all 7 parts in one sitting. Thanks for great camera work, Wyatt!

watched all 7 parts once you start watching the first part how can you not watch the rest of the parts. super work man loved it.

You are a GOD of wood, indeed !! god bless to you and your son !!

And yeah, all 7...thanks alot Steve and Wyatt!

built a board with minor changes for grandson. did not have time for base and drawer but the way I built it I can deliver that later. great videos. i watched all 7, some more than once. bob

I am totally blown away. Just an amazing project and great design and planning. Clearly lots of thought. Bookmarked for my future project and inspiration.

Man, watching your videos I woke up a will which had since childhood to work with wood. Here in Brazil we do not have very usual to do this, but I'll love to get it.

all 7 videos were great, learned stuff on all of them. Learned the most on the finishing.

Very nice series. Yes, I say through all seven episodes plus I took notes. This has inspired me to make one just like yours. Instead of walnut and maple, I used padauk and maple. The border is zebrawood and the inlay around the periphery of the board is ebony. I wiil finish this and give it to my son as a Christmas present. Thank you for sharing this with all of us novices out here.

Yep, sat through all 7 parts. Nicely done! The finish is unreal!

Yeap I watched them all. I appreciate you covering the finishing part in detail.

I gladly watched all 7 videos. My wife watched some with me too! Very cool. Thank you sir! I'm inspired and looking forward to seeing the pieces made.

Steve, I've been watching each video as they came out for the last several years and I thought it was time to go back to the beginning. The chess board series is as great as if you made it today. Well, I have a few hundred more to watch in series, so I'll see you along the trail. Your stuff is great Steve!

I like how you have your personality shine through more in your current videos! You are super funny! I love the micro jig jokes.

what a project and yes I lasted though all 7 episodes,That was real labour of love

All 7 in one go here in a chilly Dublin. Can't make up my mind whether to make a chess set first, but one way or another the board WILL be made. Thank you, Ruaidhrí Dublin, Ireland

All 7 episodes! Beautiful board and very cool idea with the Easter Egg in your projects. I suspect that the one in your board will never be found. Far too attractive a piece to take apart.

Sat through all 7 videos....spectacular craftsmanship that shows through the quality of the piece!! Looking forward to watching more of your videos. Thanks for sharing!!

This final finish is just pleasant to my eyes, lovely!

Great video! I've been struggling through a chess set for about three months now and this series answered nearly all the questions I had. Thanks stevinmarin!

Finally got around to needing a mirror finish and watching these videos... wow it’s fun to see how things change from your current videos! Looks great Steve, thanks for getting me into woodworking and keeping things educational and entertaining.

Love seeing the classics

Yep, made it through all 7, Steve. Great looking board! And I love the finish!

Man, that was a sweet video series!! And, yes, I did sit through the entire series. Thanks Steve and thanks to your awesome cameraman as well. I just learned something very very useful!!!! Regards, Tim in Athens

Sat through them all. I can only admire your patience...

Sat through all seven parts. Looks really cool and fun. Definitely will have to try it if I ever find enough time.

wow, i just learned to keep on working till its done, this looks so perfect in the end

from episode 1 to 7 indeed! But the last part is my favorite specially "the GLAAAASSY finish".

I subscribe to your videos but hadn't seen these until I did a search for chess boards - my daughter-in-law has asked me to make one. Wow, Steve, how you have changed over the years! And not nearly as much as your camera man has. Even in your early efforts you made a very informative and helpful series. Thanks.

watched all 7 and now yes you guessed it I am going make one, big thumbs up steve

All 7, amazing job, I can't believe you do this for a hobby. Great camera work as well. Wyatt deserves a ton of credit for holding the camera so well through out. Looking forward to the chess pieces. Also just happened apon this looking to make a stool which was also a great video. Thank you for taking the time to make it.

I really enjoyed this! You're a natural teacher.

This is an old vid, why have I only just seen it!! Really enjoyed all seven parts, thanks Steve!

This was fun to use the way-back machine and revisit your first videos Steve. You did an amazing job on the chess board and the camera operator also gets kudos. Y'all rock! Yep, watched all seven episodes.

I am going to do this in my shop class. That turned out beautifully and flawlessly

I'm a big fan of chess and definitely watched all 7 videos. I got started in wood working after watching your video on the guitar pick holder. And now I have a good size shop. I can honestly say it's become an addiction lol. I'm in the process of making a bandsaw boxe out of maple and zebra wood.