New Custom Board: Maple, Purple Heart, Foldable

just got my new board from Pith Studios in Ogden, UT (@pithstudios on Instagram)—thought I'd share here. They did an amazing job. I especially love the hidden hinges. Chose 2" squares for portability, overall size is ~18x18. 0.75" thick.

Fantastic looking board!

Since the hinges are hidden when this solid wood board is flat, does this mean you can play on either side?

awesome

Just sent them a message.

@DrChesspain, yes, you could play on either side. The white/black circle markers are only on the top side, though.

➖ No notation 

➖ No space for the pieces(inside)

Some lacquer missing(few extra layers,  other then that great board.

I mean no disrespect to you ESP-918, but I want to let you know why what you'd suggested wouldn't normally be applicable.

This is a hand made quality board that lends itself to classical and simplistic styling.  I would hate to see notation on a board like this.  Almost no hand made solid wood boards are made hollow for pieces to fit for a few reasons 

A) You would likely want to pair it with your own pieces

B) Most players investing in a board like this would like a separate method of storing the pieces of varying different sizes.  Certainly not a one size fits all application.

C) Chess pieces of the caliber suitable of a board like this would require separate storage so they wouldn't be easily damaged

D) It would compromise the structure of the board or make it obscenely thick and expensive

Other than being able to fold it up, practicality would be the last thing @intotheblue123 would be looking for with a board like this.

@Intotheblue123 What kind of oil or finish did you use? Ive been reading online that Purpleheart "bleeds" into the maple. Is this true? Im trying to make one right now, but just don't want to make an expensive mistake, lol.

That is beautiful! Do you mind sharing what it cost (looks like they are custom built)?

that's a beauty!

Beautiful!

MCH818 you're a veteran and should know better than to tease us like that without posting pictures. 

We had a wall of wood samples of about 150 species of tree species at a botanic garden I worked at. The Purpleheart sample faded to a brown color after being exposed to sunlight for a few years. If you want to keep the purple color I would store the board in the dark when not using it.

Love those hinges! Would've been amazing to have some magnets on the edge to lock it in place. How much does something like that go for? I don't see it on their site. Is it a one-off?

https://www.chesshouse.com/collections/jlp-hardwood-chess-boards/products/21-folding-hardwood-players-chessboard-jlp-usa

Thanks MCH818 very nice box. I think having the thick sides was a missed opportunity for putting in a finger ledge. It's one of my little pet peeves with some of these heavier chess boxes. Taking these boxes off and back on my shelves would be much easier with that.  Especially the  HoS Coffer.  I'm trying to do what you did and have a woodworker custom make me a storage box and a floating shelf for the board. Already ordered a board from a local guy and waiting to see how that turns out before going for the other stuff with him.   

@MCH818 I'm not sure if I used the right term. But this is the best picture that illustrates the general idea that can be implemented with a thicker sides like in your box. 

Not so deep just enough to be able to lift without having to dig underneath it. 

Hey all, it's been a while since I logged into my account. I've used and loved this board since my original post. @AaronV96 no, the purple heart hasn't bled into the maple (image attached, taken this morning). I believe Zach finished/sealed the wood, and I've just used occasionally his board wax (which I think is just beeswax) to maintain it. I know purple heart can sometimes turn brown over time, but mine has changed very little. That said, if I were to do this again, I would probably choose walnut for the dark wood, to hedge against potential color change.

@ogbumblingpatzer @Pawnerai the price was around $250 shipped, if I remember correctly, but Zach's prices may have changed. Yes, it was custom, I requested the wood (maple/purple heart), the square size, the maple inlay around the edge, the hidden hinges, and the white/black circular markers. He has posted two other boards on his Instagram (one fairly recently) https://www.instagram.com/pithstudios/ 

@Pawnerai the magnets are an interesting idea, I'm sure he'd be open to it. That said the board is generally out or folded in storage inside a pillowcase (also it's pretty heavy), can't say keeping it closed has been an issue.