Backgammon Board Plans??? - Page 2

Backgammon Board Plans??? · 02-10-2009, 05:38 PM

Hey North Carolina Woodworker Fans,

I was asked today from another to build a Backgammon board. He wants Ebony for sure, but not sure what other woods he wants. His Grandfather has one that has been passed down through the years. I am not sure how to build one and wondered if anyone has? And has any plans they can share or help me build? Oh and he said he would like for it to have a Chess board on the opposite side.

Here is a picture of one he really wanted: consisting of these woods Amboyna, Ebony, Satinwood, Holly, Mother-of-Pearl, Varnish.

This is from: http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworki...e.aspx?id=4310

How many hours do you think this will take with veneers?
And how long if I used Hardwoods?

Thank you for your help and or advice!

MrAudio815 · 02-11-2009, 12:12 PM

Originally Posted by walnutjerry

Mat---------- www.ncwoodworker.net/pp/data/388/backgammonboard-redoak.jpg

This is where you can see the backgammon board I did. i don't know how to post the image anymore. Been too lazy to learn the new approach.

Jerry

maybe one of the moderators will post it from my album.

Thanks WalnutJerry,

So it is Red Oak! What type of wood did you make the diamonds/triangles out of?

I have always just opened up my pictures in my gallery and then copied them, then attached them to the forum. Is as pie.

MrAudio815 · 02-11-2009, 01:14 PM

Originally Posted by Bas

I once saw a board that was 1/4" plywood, "veneered" with a thin layer of cork, maybe 1/16". The triangles for the points were painted onto the cork - functional, but not very woodworky.

I was thinking, what if you instead cut the triangles out of the cork, and then replaced it with 1/16" Ebony & Holly. You should be able to cut the cork with a very sharp knife. The trick of course is to make sure you have a really good bond between the ply and the cork, and you have no fuzzy edges. Not sure if it's feasible. But it would greatly simplify the marquetry process, AND make the board a lot quieter.

Hum sounds like you really don't like the sound the dice make on the hard wood. Then I am sure you wouldn't like the sound on tile much more. The instructor is trying to talk him into to that idea.

Cutting triangles out of cork....Well I just dont see how cork will last for generations, but then again have never used the stuff. He said he wants to be able to hand it down forever.

So does the idea of putting 1/4" game board on top of the cork and then another 1/4" for the top not a good idea? (cork snadwhich in between the woods). Would the cork soften the sound that way. Or is Holly and Ebony hard and strong enough to be cut to 3/16 or 1/8 and then put on the cork and another 1/4" for the top???

Thanks for the ideas, I starting to get a clue

,

... No really I am. And getting less scared about it two.

Oh BAS how important is it to have two contrasting colored diamonds?

Thanks again!!!

MrAudio815 · 02-12-2009, 12:44 AM

Ok so the kid now wants Black and white Ebony for the case, Black ebony for half the trianlges and Mother of Pearl for the other triangles and spalted maple or aboyna for the background of the playing board.

So where can I find these woods and not wood (Mother of Pearl) And can I actually buy a 4/4 6"x80" board of Ebony figuretively speaking? All I have found is veneers.

Oh and how many hours do you think this will take with veneers?
And how long if I used Hardwoods?

Thanks for the help!

Makinsawdust · 02-12-2009, 07:45 AM

The kid has expensive taste. The material cost for this board is going to be out of sight. Just the Ebony can run upwards of $50/bdft. It's been 3 or 4 yrs since I purchased any so the price may have changed some. The color varies quite a bit within a board so even if you find a board the size you mentioned it may not give you the consistant color you'll want for the game board. I understand some folks actually dye it to get the black consistant.
I'm going over to check a suppliers website and see if they have any. If they do I'll post back.
Rob

Makinsawdust · 02-12-2009, 08:09 AM

Go to http://www.gilmerwood.com. They have Gabon/Nigerian ebony (Madagascar ebony maybe too streaky for this application) and aboyna burl. Their website is a bear to navigate but you can probably find what you need, except mother of pearl, all in one place.
Rob

mlzettl · 02-12-2009, 08:16 AM

I was at my supplier, World Timber, a few weeks ago, and the price of Gabon ebony at that time was about $40.00/bd ft. Some suppliers sell it by the pound, like Kobi beef!!

Also, ebony in long lengths is unusual, and I suspect it would be even more expensive. Generally, it comes in shorts which are also narrow and that increases the waste factor. I would think that your waste for this project may approach 40-50%, if you use solid lumber as opposed to veneer.

As far as Mother of Pearl goes, I hate to think about how much that would cost for enough to do this project. Also, from what I've read about it, it needs careful handling and cutting, as it is very fragile. I remember seeing some prices for abalone, which is similar, a few weeks ago somewhere, and I was shocked at how expensive it was. I personally have never used Mother of Pearl, but for someone doing their first veneer project, it may be a bit over the top.

I think it's important to be realistic here. What the "kid" wants, and what you can reasonably provide may be two different things. If you're willing to pay a lot of money for materials, and won't have heartburn if a lot of it goes into the scrap bin, more power to you.

However you choose to proceed, best of luck, and we look forward to seeing some progress reports and the finished product.

Matt

MrAudio815 · 02-12-2009, 01:22 PM

Originally Posted by Makinsawdust

The kid has expensive taste. The material cost for this board is going to be out of sight. Just the Ebony can run upwards of $50/bdft. It's been 3 or 4 yrs since I purchased any so the price may have changed some. The color varies quite a bit within a board so even if you find a board the size you mentioned it may not give you the consistant color you'll want for the game board. I understand some folks actually dye it to get the black consistant.
I'm going over to check a suppliers website and see if they have any. If they do I'll post back.
Rob

Yes the kid has expensive taste. I mean he doesn't realize what he wants.

I looked up the veneer @ around $76 for 5.5"x100" and around the same price for the amboyna and didn't even find the mother of pearl, but I am sure it is outrageous. So wood alone, I told the kid would be a least $300 and I am guessing 20hrs to complete?????

at low end $15 an hr thats $300. If I get it done that fast. So $600.

Well I brought in the bowl I turned at Earl's with the maple and walnut to show him how beautiful they look together. He loved it, loved the color and has now decided on Maple and walnut triangles with cherry for the background and case. So that's about $100 for materials and I told him if I get 5/4 then I could cut it at 3/16 thickness and make four boards to keep his price colser to $300, he was much more satisfied!!!

Here is how I think I will do it. got the idea from what Earl found here: http://lumberjocks.com/projects/8008

Well I am glad we have got through most of the negotiation's!

Thanks for your help everyone, and thanks for all the ideas, cool websites, and willingness to take you time to share with me!!!

MrAudio815 · 02-12-2009, 01:27 PM

Originally Posted by mlzettl

I was at my supplier, World Timber, a few weeks ago, and the price of Gabon ebony at that time was about $40.00/bd ft. Some suppliers sell it by the pound, like Kobi beef!! Also, ebony in long lengths is unusual, and I suspect it would be even more expensive. Generally, it comes in shorts which are also narrow and that increases the waste factor. I would think that your waste for this project may approach 40-50%, if you use solid lumber as opposed to veneer.

As far as Mother of Pearl goes, I hate to think about how much that would cost for enough to do this project. Also, from what I've read about it, it needs careful handling and cutting, as it is very fragile. I remember seeing some prices for abalone, which is similar, a few weeks ago somewhere, and I was shocked at how expensive it was. I personally have never used Mother of Pearl, but for someone doing their first veneer project, it may be a bit over the top.

I think it's important to be realistic here. What the "kid" wants, and what you can reasonably provide may be two different things. If you're willing to pay a lot of money for materials, and won't have heartburn if a lot of it goes into the scrap bin, more power to you.

However you choose to proceed, best of luck, and we look forward to seeing some progress reports and the finished product.

Matt

Yeah I am glad he chaged his mind on the woods, wasn't looking forward to veneering. He did say, that I just remembered... His grandpa plays a lot and said it would be a good idea to cut the triangles out of corkboard then put the maple and walnut triangles in the cut out area. So the middle playing area is corkboard so it's soft on the dice and ears. Just don't know how well corkboard will hold up for a long time. Unless it's easily replaceable???

Thanks for the advice everyone, I truely appreciate it!!!

erasmussen · 02-12-2009, 05:33 PM

Now you have to figger out what your going to turn the playing pieces from

Bas · 02-12-2009, 05:43 PM

Originally Posted by MrAudio815

So the middle playing area is corkboard so it's soft on the dice and ears. Just don't know how well corkboard will hold up for a long time. Unless it's easily replaceable???

Cork is very durable. They make floors out of cork! Compared to a floor or a table, the wear and tear is minimal - moving some dice and pieces. Maybe the occasional beverage spill when things get really exciting

The main thing is making sure it is glued down properly, no curly edges. Nothing you can't accomplish with a good glue, a caul and clamps.

MrAudio815 · 02-13-2009, 01:10 AM

Originally Posted by erasmussen

Now you have to figger out what your going to turn the playing pieces from

Thats actually a good idea.

I mean I can turn a handle it to 1.75 roundness and then cut to get the individual pieces. On a bandsaw or something. Cool, thanks for the idea.

Sincerely,

Matthew

MrAudio815 · 02-13-2009, 01:13 AM

Originally Posted by Bas

Cork is very durable. They make floors out of cork! Compared to a floor or a table, the wear and tear is minimal - moving some dice and pieces. Maybe the occasional beverage spill when things get really exciting The main thing is making sure it is glued down properly, no curly edges. Nothing you can't accomplish with a good glue, a caul and clamps.

Cool so where do I get this durable cork flooring? Or is all cork just as durable and then again where do I get it? Lowes???

Thanks for the ideas. Gonna start soon after I get a down payment on the item.

Matthew