Checkmate! Here is a book fit for kings, queens and knights and a book not to be pawned. I, with my sick humor could not work a rook into my diatribe. In any event, this is a fantastic and inspiring book for all woodworkers. In a word, unique! This is perhaps the best way of describing the contents of this book. Author Kape has a great imagination and it is well projected in this fabulous book. There are, as the cover suggests, 15 one-of-a-kind projects for the scroll saw. There is a classic and two neo-classic sets that are close to traditional but certainly unique as cut with the scrollsaw. There is also a set reminiscent of the Knights of the Round Table, a classic Greek set, a Czarist set and an Olde English set. Add these to the architectural collection like Paris, Canterbury, Venice, Rome and San Francisco and you have a fully rounded out chess set collection that is to die for. Now, if you were counting you will realize that the list is short by four. These are made up by the author's plans for a chess board, a travelling chess board, a storage box and a vertical wall mounted chess set. Kape provides the sawyer with full plans and scale drawings for all of the above as well as a full list of materials. As an avid chess player and/or a scroll sawyer you will really appreciate this book.

by Jim Kape has detailed instructions for making 13 different chess sets as well as a chess board and a storage box. There are full size patterns for the different pieces and the designs range from a classic or traditional set to some unique designs based on the architecture of different cities. For example, the Peter the Great set is based on historic architecture of Russia, the Canterbury is English inspired, and Paris includes the Eiffel Tower as the king. The book also includes a list of tools used and says that the scroll saw and tablesaw are the two most often used. There is even a short history of the game and basic rules of play.

Woodshop library Posted on January 17, 2011 Written by Jennifer Hicks User Rating: / 0Poor Best A REVOLUTION IN WOOD: THE BRESLER COLLECTION AN EXHIBIT CATALOG, edited by Nicholas Bell, of 66 turned and carved wood objects donated to the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Renwick Gallery by artists Fleur and Charles Bresler. It features illustrations and photos of completed pieces by David Ellsworth, Ron Fleming, Michael Holzapfel, William Hunter, Mark and Melvin Lindquist, Hugh McCay, Edward Moulthrop and Rude Osolnik that reveal the advent of new techniques such as multi-axis turning and the incorporation of secondary materials. The book also examines the history of contemporary wood art through a series of personal essays written by Bell, Renwick's curator. These passages contain insight on the rapid growth of the medium since the 1970s and express how the studio craft movement has shaped the current field. The 193-page hardcover sells for $45. Contact: Smithsonian Books. Tel: 202-633-2495. www.smithsonianbooks.com MAKING WOODEN CHESS SETS, by Jim Kape, offers instruction on the scroll saw for making chess pieces, boards and storage boxes. The book includes 15 patterns, some inspired by the cities of Paris, San Francisco and Venice. From classical to modern, these chess sets will be cherished for years to come for their heirloom quality and high level of craftsmanship. An introductory chapter familiarizes readers with using a scroll saw and explains how to make compound cuts. The following chapters discuss how to begin making the classic chess set, complete with full step-by-step instructions and photos. There's also a chapter on the history of chess and a section that provides the rules of the game. The author's use of exotic woods and interesting designs are sure to inspire woodworkers, chess players and scroll-saw enthusiasts alike.

'There is a chance to make a travel set and ingenious vertical wall-hanging set. Wonderful!'

One thing most chess players can agree on - chess pieces and their boards are a thing of beauty. The new book Making Wooden Chess Sets includes 15 patterns for chess sets using a scroll saw, so for those who playing chess is not enough can fill their time with another hobby. Author Jim Kape had one of his chess sets take a first place blue ribbon at the 2009 Excellence in Woodworking show sponsored by the Arizona Association of Fine Woodworkers.