Hello PrepHole
I'm reaching out for assistance as part of my university's chess team, which has recently faced a significant setback with the theft of half our boards and pieces. This loss has put our team in jeopardy, as we're now severely lacking the necessary equipment and funds to replace them.
In an effort to address this issue, I'm considering the creation of chess pieces using plaster or cement. I've come across a guide on making concrete chess pieces [Instructables Chess Pieces Made of Concrete](https://www.instructables.com/Chess-Pieces-Made-of-CONCRETE/), but the results weren't quite up to par in terms of aesthetics.
My plan is to modify this approach by utilizing cement molds for designs that are simpler and feature more flat surfaces, inspired by designs from [Socowoo Chess](https://socowoo.com/chess). The process would involve:
1. Crafting initial molds from paper/cardboard.
2. Casting the pieces using plaster or cement.
3. Refining the pieces for a more polished appearance.
4. Creating double-sided molds from the improved pieces for mass production.
I am seeking your expertise and opinions on the following:
- Feedback on the feasibility of my proposed method and potential pitfalls.
- Suggestions for designs that are suited to this casting method. If you have any visual aids, links, or diagrams, they would be greatly appreciated.
- Alternative methods or materials that might yield better or more cost-effective results.
Your input is invaluable to us as we navigate this challenge. Any advice or recommendations you can offer would be instrumental in helping us revive our chess team.
Thank you for your time and consideration PrepHole
homie just find a carpenter, he'll happily work some out in a couple hours for like 20 bucks. Or do you live somewhere without tradesmen? Even if you don't, just go to the library and ask them to 3d print a new set off, it won't be more than the price of the woodcrafts.
Black hes not in a 3rd world country noone works a few hours for 20 bucks not even fast food workers let alone a carpenter.
op maybe bolts are a better idea
https://macgyverisms.wonderhowto.com/how-to/make-macgyver-style-chess-set-using-just-nuts-bolts-0144591/
>hey buddy could you do this for me
>sure if you grease my palm a little!
>hyuck hyuck hyuck
CHESS PIECES
chess pieces can be made in different ways
OP was considering manufacturing them out of plaster or cement, using paper molds. A 3d printer would do it in the same time as the plaster would take to cast.
Tbh a 3d printer could easily do a piece in 10 minutes or less if it's a decent 3d printer but then again why not just buy the chess pieces.
how intricate looking are the pieces
https://makepopupcards.com/downloads/concrete-chess-set/
https://www.etsy.com/listing/933114423/plans-modern-chess-set-for-only-a-few?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=concrete+chess&ref=sr_gallery-1-30&dd=1&organic_search_click=1
https://makepopupcards.com/downloads/concrete-chess-set/
I would go with 3d print, shore 40 moulding silicone and jesmonite. Yea it’s a meme material but it’s extremely easy to handle and it comes out as polished as the original positive model was. Also easy to refine with sand paper. If you don’t have 3D printer access you could use polymer clay instead
Clay. That was my first l.thought, low tech solution.
You need a massive number of pawns? Print baby, print. Clearly you are in a high crime, public-transit-available area. Need to create cheap pieces, because anything e.g. turned wood, fancy metals, will just get stolen again.
baka ngmi cityzoid.
just play online Black person
eh, just buy a few chess boards, 10 dollars on amazon
If you're desperately fricked and out of time, print out the piece twice, stick it on cardboard both sides and sliced up dowel as the base so it doesn't blow over
Longer term, 3D printers are pretty cheap if you don't want a lot of definition and will do a 'good enough' job, chances are there's some free files out there for people to print a chess set with. Someone should have a basic b***h 3d printer they'll loan for a cause
Moulds and resin could be ok if you've got a lot of time, but go with silicon moulding and save yourself some misery, ideally you'd have a pressure pot to make sure there's no bubbles. But if not, car-bog, sandpaper. primer and spraypaint them black or white once they're done. Casting Silicone and Resin isn't exactly cheap though to the point I think its literally easier to buy plastic pieces in bulk from somewhere.
Thank you all for the insightful suggestions. Based on your feedback, I've come across an innovative approach that might work well for our situation. I'm considering creating molds using hot glue, inspired by this guide: The Secret to a Perfect Hot Glue Mold.
The plan is to use actual chess pieces as templates for the molds, then cast the pieces using a nearly liquid form of plaster. To enhance durability, I'm thinking of incorporating metal wire within the plaster casts. This addition should provide the pieces with added resistance and longevity.
I appreciate all the advice and would love to hear your thoughts on this new approach.
You can enhance the durability a lot with a very thin solution of acetone with plastic dissolved in it. The plaster will absorb it like a sponge, the acetone will evaporate, and leave the plastic for a tough plastic-like piece
I appreciate the advice.
Do you have the proportions of the materials?
I planed on using this for information:
https://dalchem.com.au/how-to/why-is-a-consistencya-and-a-water-to-plaster-ratioa-important/
Thanks a lot for all the attention
You do it after it’s cured and 100% dry.
It has to be pretty thin solution of aceton and dissolved plastic. This is the “dope” we used on paper airplane skins back in the day, it made the paper like a thin, tough plastic sheet.
Very thin cyanoacrylate glue also works.
Just keep saturating and let it dry and the plastic will fill all the gaps in the plaster and make it extremely tough.
The Secret to a Perfect Hot Glue Mold.
https://www.instructables.com/The-Secret-to-a-Perfect-Hot-Glue-Mold/
This is it guys, I think I found the perfect technique.
1. go to university whatever
2. 3d print or have them 3d print you shitty pieces
3. ???
4. profit
>theft of half our boards and pieces
What kind of Black steals bloody chess pieces? What is jamal even gonna do with those?
stolen by opposing team chess
The Black's nature is to destroy what it cannot sell, ingest or understand
You can play with paper tokens. An injection molded chess set is cheap.
You can also make some silicone or rubber/tpu molds and cast the pieces. Or just get a micro lathe and whittle to finish.
Almost every university in the US now has at least 1 or 2 3d printers for some class or club. I bet if you ask the instructor/librarian/whoever nicely and explain your situation, they'll be a lot more helpful than PrepHole autists. You can 3d print the pieces or 3d print molds.
Check this out too: https://all3dp.com/2/3d-printed-chess-set-pieces/
>be in school
>need chess boards
>beautiful wooden sets on temu for 15cad or 10usd
>people spend more than this at McDonalds for lunch
>chess.com is also free
reeeeee i gotta mold my own from CONCRETE cause some Black person stole our sets
>anything you do to diy this youll never beat that price point, its also dozens of hours of labor
>entire board Black person piles in with crazy suggestions, taking the bait as usual
Frankly I dont think you even want to play chess nor do I believe you attend a school cause noone can be this dumb.. except for the posters on this thread encouraging this dumb shit.
>noone can be this dumb.
speaking of being "this dumb", when you type some shit like "noone" does it look like an actual word.
tell that to swiftkey chud
>when your time has no value: the post
>phonegayging monkey proud to be a phonehomosexual
That's what happens when your time becomes valuable and get a job. No time for hot pockets in moms basement. How making pendantic arguements working out for you chud? Are you winning son?
Op here, I may get to the same conclusion as you. I gave the hot glue mold method a shot and, while feasible, I feel the quality might only match that of the most low quality chess sets out there.
Given this, I'm leaning towards experimenting with a more refined technique for creating two-part plaster molds, as detailed in this guide: How to Make a Plaster Mold.
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Plaster-Mold
This method seems promising for achieving a higher quality finish and might just be the solution we need.
If this attempt doesn't yield the results I'm hoping for, I might quit. But I'm optimistic and curious to see how well this method works. Has anyone here tried something similar, or does anyone have any tips or advice to share based on this method? I'm all ears for any input that could help improve the outcome.
Thanks again for all the advice
Cement is uneven and porous bad idea .
You either use the traditional clay, cast route, styrofoam or 3d print the mold.
>theft of half our boards and pieces
Check the members' bellies