Introduction: Make a Chess Set Out of Corks
This is how to make a complete chess set out of 54 corks, some wood glue, and a few minutes of your time.
This is my first instructable, so, please, tell me if I'm doing something wrong.
Step 1: Materials
You're gonna need:
-52 medium sized corks(About an inch in diameter)
-2 small corks(And yes, you'll probably have to buy a bag of 20, so you'll have 18 corks you'll never have a use for.)
-Some wood glue
-A knife for some minor trimming
Step 2: The Pawn
The pawn is just... a cork. That's all it is.
Step 3: The Bishop
Ok, this one's got a little more to it. First, make a little slice with a knife down the front of one cork. See the pictures for details. Then, wood glue that bishop head on top of another cork. Ta-da! It's a cork bishop!
Step 4: The Knight
Alright, so, the knight is the other piece you need a little knife-work for. You just slice a little off one side, so it's flat. That way, you can glue it on, and it will resemble the head of the horse.
Step 5: The Rook
This one's real easy. You just take a cork, and put an upside down cork on top. You're done!
Step 6: The Queen
Start out with a pre-made rook, and then put an inverted cork "crown" on top. Also fairly simple.
Step 7: The King
Ah, the final piece. Start out by stacking two right-side-up corks, and then one upside down. Then, you take a smaller cork, and stick that, inverted, right on top. And that's the end of the set.
Step 8: And That's It
Alright, that's how to make each piece. You might want to spray paint the other half of the set, so you actually have a complete set. Other ideas, maybe weigh down the bottom of the pieces with washers, or something, so they aren't always falling down.
Thanks for reading!
18 Comments
8 years ago on Introduction
Thanks MarsJosefina for the brilliant idea ! I just twist a little in the King.
9 years ago
Not trying to troll, but it's surprising how many chessboards are not set up properly. Please google and show us the right way.
9 years ago on Introduction
This is fantastic! The concept is simple. I would suggest this method in my site "Chess in Israel"
9 years ago on Introduction
This is fantastic! The concept is simple. I would suggest this method in my site "Chess in Israel"
12 years ago on Introduction
good job, but if you ever have the time you should add more deatail to the pieces.
12 years ago on Introduction
How do you tell the 2 teams apart?
12 years ago on Introduction
Hahahaha....this is so random. :)
Just think:
You wake up. What am I going to do today?
I'm going to build an entire chess set, just out of CORKS!
lol...
14 years ago on Introduction
Amazing! We've been saving up old corks for a while, and this looks like a good way to recycle them! Awesome job!!!
14 years ago on Introduction
Between the complicated led chess I reviewed just before and this one i amaze the miracle of absolute simplicity Excellent idea....
15 years ago on Introduction
you could use corks for white, and rubber stoppers for black...
Reply 15 years ago on Introduction
I actually had thought of that, but I bought my corks at a craft store instead of a brewery supply place, so they didn't carry those. But, if you have them, that sounds like an excellent idea.
15 years ago on Introduction
Very creative. But is cork a bit too light for chess application?
Reply 15 years ago on Introduction
i drilled a hole in the bottom of mine and filed if full of lead bbs and coverd the hole with wax
Reply 15 years ago on Introduction
That's a really clever idea! I might have to try that on mine...
15 years ago on Introduction
Very nice creative use of corks !Good Deal!
15 years ago on Introduction
This is really creative, nice job!
15 years ago on Introduction
This makes me want to try whittling corks.. I would have never thought of this, but it's a good way to make replacements for lost chess pieces
15 years ago on Introduction
wow, very nice! awesome instructable, no problems for me. looks amazing, great time on your first instructable!