How to Create an Outdoor Checker Board Table with Stone

A really fantastic and unique craft idea to make that will help you and your family pass away time during pleasant Summer season is an outdoor checker set made of weather- resistant stone. The project itself is not all that difficult but the results are stunning. This project is sure to draw admiration from others who see it, and inquires as to where they can obtain one of their own. This is also a great project to get children involved in, if so decided.

What you will need:

Protective Eyewear

Wet saw

Straightedge clamp

Notch trowel

Traditional steel trowel

Tape measure

Pencil

One 12 x 12 inch square marble tile in black (or whatever base color you would like the checkerboard to be)

One 12 x 12 inch square marble tile in white (or whatever contrasting color you would like the checkerboard to be)

(12) One inch hexagon mosaic tiles in red (or whatever color you would like one set of checkers to be)

(12) One inch hexagon mosaic tiles in black (or whatever color you would like the other set of checkers to be)

4 decorative tiles to be set between the border and each side of your board.

Latex added thin-set

Bullnose tiles in the same colors as the board, or you can choose one of those colors or a completely different color that you think completes the desired look. These tiles are for your table border.

Sponge and rags to wipe goo as you go

Round cement table (precast). You can purchase one for a very reasonable price or you can create one of your own from a concrete mix found at any home improvement warehouse or store.

Tile Sealer for exterior tile work

The first step is to measure how big you want the squares to be that will comprise the board. You want them equal in size. You will need sixty four squares total, thirty two from the white tile and thirty two from the black tile (or whatever colors you have chosen to create the board from).

Your second step is to apply your protective eye wear.

Step three is to place your wet saw with the straight edge and cut your squares for the main board out of the 12 x 12 inch pieces of tile.

Fourth, you want to use the straightedge to guide your cuts. Cut the tile into strips first and then cut your strips into equally sized squares.

Step five is to set your squares where you want them in a dry run.

Draw a square around the dry run tiles with pencil and then remove tiles so you can apply your thin-set. Use one that has a latex additive so it will adhere better than one that will not, since this project will live outdoors.

Now you want to use your notched trowel to cover the space inside of the square you have drawn that will be the checker board. Be careful that the thin-set does not leave the confines of the hand-drawn square.

Carefully press each piece of tile into the wet mix, as you had it placed during your dry run, and press it with a firm object that will not harm your tile to make sure it is snugly in place.

Now you want to take the small pieces of bullnose tile and carefully place them around the entire edge of your table to create a border. Cover the back of each piece of tile and press firmly in place.

Use the thin-set mortar to bring the table up to an even size with your checkerboard that is now in place.

Use your steel trowel to smooth the mortar.

Place each of your four decorative tiles in place and push them down firmly with an object that will not harm your tile. Wipe any excess goo that gets on tile surfaces. Make sure all surfaces are smooth and even. Allow to dry.

Clean any excess runoff from your mortar that is on your board after it dries. In a couple of days, after your table is completely dry and cured, you want to apply your exterior tile sealer.

The hexagon pieces will be your checkers. You can create a special box to store them in under the table (when not in use) or keep them on the table at all times.

For added fun you can use tiles in the same colors to decorate stone chairs or benches to create a charming and happy place to enjoy your game of strategy.

You now have a unique and gorgeous craft project that was easy, affordable to make and one that is sure to draw people to it not only as a conversation piece but also for actual use.