Chess Table

The client for this project required a replacement chessboard table and requested a design that was “a functional, slimline table for a small living room space... using all natural hardwoods and a low contrasting checkered timber for the top” 

The legs were cut to length from upcycled messmate floorboards which naturally lends itself to the slimline profile I was aiming for. Each half of the leg was glued and doweled to the top brace and a slight chamfer was added to all edges for ease of use during assembly and disassembly. 

I decided to implement a tried-and-true cross lap join for a knockdown leg design, and use locating dowels to secure the board in place. These dowels also double as feet to elevate the board when used on a table. 

The checkerboard timber pattern was made from recycled sugar gum and remaining messmate, which resulted in a relatively low contrast checkered pattern, but satisfied the clients brief. Due to the slimline nature of the top, no physical connectors, such as biscuits or splines were included in the construction. The border was also constructed from the remaining messmate and glued with miter joins holding the board in place. 

 In future versions of this design, I will be increasing the overall thickness of the board and adding biscuits to help prevent warpage over time. I will also change the locating dowels to a wider tapered puck form for simpler location to the legs. 

Overall, the client was very pleased to have this table in her home and has enjoyed the functional and slimline features of this design.