Magnetic Travel Chess Set

Overview

I designed this travel / handheld chess set with embedded magnets so it can be passed back and forth between players without worrying about the pieces falling off.  An added perk is that it will look like magic to anyone who doesn't know that magnets have been hidden inside the print!

I made the design in OnShape and included the STLs and some g-code for optimized print time, including pauses for placing the magnets in the prints and for color changes.  

The magnets slots are designed for 8 x 3.5mm neodymium magnets, which are pretty cheap and easy to find online.  You'll need 8 (for securing bottom and top of case) + 16 (for first set of pieces) + 16 (for second set of pieces) + 64 (for every space on the board) for a grand total of 104 magnets!

Note: I highly recommend using some quick-dry super glue when placing the magnets in the print, to help hold them in place.

Printing

I printed the white pieces in Protopasta Nebula Multicolor HTPLA, the black pieces in Protopasta Empire Strikes Black HTPLA, and the case in dark brown PLA on the Prusa i3 MK3.  No supports needed!

If you re-slice, just be sure to orient the parts similar to the g-code examples.  To make things easier for re-slicing, I've also listed the layer heights for pauses / color changes, based on the orientation I used in my g-code and 0.2mm layer height:

• Chess Pieces
  • Pause - 4.6mm
• Case Bottom
  • Pause - 15.2mm
• Case Top
  • Pause - 4.6mm
  • Color Change - 16mm
  • Color Change - 16.8mm

One important thing to remember is the polarity of your magnets.  Just make sure your magnets will pair together.  For example, the chess piece magnets need to be oriented properly to pair with the magnets under the board.

NOTE: I highly recommend using some good super glue when placing the magnets in their spots during the print, otherwise they might go haywire with all the other magnets surrounding them.

Please like it if you do and leave any comments!  If you're really feeling generous please consider buying me a coffee so I can keep creating!

Check out my TikTok!

Check out my YouTube!

If you like what you see, please consider joining my Patreon.