Originally posted by MorrenI'm bored and did some googling. Have a look here:
Aye, I do not have the space for turning equipment -- and figured with enough practice (which in reality is what this 'project' is -- even if I throw the pieces away) I could whittle a nice looking pawn...
http://www.eldrbarry.net/hatr/chess/daydream.htm
http://thechessstore.zoovy.com/category/985
http://markofwestminster.com/chess/main.html
http://megachess.com/spec48.htm
you might also consider carving them out of jeweler's wax and then having them cast in bronze or another metal. this way, you only have to carve each peice once, and then the wax is used to make a mold which can create any number of the same peice over and over.
i think you can get carving wax at Hobby stores, but definitely on the internet.
PM me if you want more info on this.