Magnetic Chess Boards – Creating your own Magnetic Chess Set

Magnetic chess sets are one of the best innovations when it comes to chess sets. This magnetic feature allows the entire game to be played even on a wobbly surface, particularly during traveling.

As well, you can take breaks in between games or move the entire game to another location for a change of scenery, without having to worry about affecting the position of the different pieces.

The magnetic chess set is quite popular today and you can find many sets with different designs, sizes, and prices. However, if you prefer to create your own chess set with magnetic chess boards and magnetic chess pieces or if you prefer to modify a particular set, then here are some simple tips.

For the magnetic chess board, you can make use of any square scrap wood, at least 8x8 inch. You could also use a larger board if you want a larger chess set. Make sure to sand the surface, the edges, and the corners properly if there are abrasive or uneven surfaces. Likewise, carefully remove all the particles created during the sanding process with a tack cloth so that the paint or finish can stay on better.

Nowadays, there is the latex magnetic primer you can use, which is a magnetic paint, to create the magnetic board. Apply about two to three coatings of the latex magnetic primer to the surface and allow each coating to dry before applying another. You can test to see if the surface has the ideal pulling force, if not, you can apply one to two more coatings. Once done, you can paint the board with any color you want.

After the paint dries, you can create the grid for your chess board. Take a ruler and a pencil and create 64 squares of equal sizes, being 8 rows and 8 columns. If you’re using an 8x8 inch board, for instance, then each box would be about 1 square inch. For a different board size, simply take the measurement of one side and divide it by 8 and the answer you get will be the size for each box.

When painting the grids in alternating color, you can use painter’s tape or even just masking tape to make the task simpler. Appropriately cover every other box with the tape, so you’ll end up with a checkered board.

You can use a craft brush to paint the boxes and you can also choose any color you want for the secondary grid color. Carefully remove the tape once the paint dries and you have a finished magnetic chess board.

Aside from the magnetic chess boards, you can modify the chess pieces of any existing cheap sets, Star Wars set, or that Lord of the Rings set you have, provided they’re not made of stone or glass.

You can create a hole in the base of the piece with a craft knife and place a small magnet inside. Make use of glue to keep it securely in place. As well, if you’re good at whittling, personally hand carved pieces is also a great decorative piece.

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