ToolChess

handmade hardware chess sets

Grand Rapids, Michigan

69 Sales

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Buyers bought gifts from this shop and gave them 5-star reviews!

William Gallmeyer

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Announcement Tool Chess sets are gorgeous, handmade chess sets made out of nuts and bolts. They are powdercoated to give them a beautiful, glossy finish.

Announcement

Tool Chess sets are gorgeous, handmade chess sets made out of nuts and bolts. They are powdercoated to give them a beautiful, glossy finish.

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William Gallmeyer

Reviews

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Ireland on Mar 9, 2021

5 out of 5 stars

Love it! This was a gift for my Dad and he loved it so much.

Classic Tool Chess Set

Classic Tool Chess Set
s on Dec 12, 2020

5 out of 5 stars

Very nicely crafted, and he was so helpful with delivery!

Classic Tool Chess Set

Classic Tool Chess Set
Ariela on Oct 21, 2020

5 out of 5 stars

My brother-in-law was thrilled with his new Tool Chess! He is a handyman around the house and usually walks around with screws, nuts and bolts in his pockets. I didn't think twice about ordering this set as he enjoys playing chess with his son. They decided to create a chess area in their home and the game will be ongoing throughout the day. William, Thank you for your creative artistic contribution to the world of chess.

Classic Tool Chess Set

Classic Tool Chess Set
SRH on Jul 28, 2019

5 out of 5 stars

Very nicely put together. The kids love the pieces. Thank you😀

Classic Tool Chess Set

Classic Tool Chess Set
Aileen on Jan 16, 2019

5 out of 5 stars

My 4 yr old twins loved it! They couldn’t wait to set it up and play!!! Really beautifully made and unique!!!

Classic Tool Chess Set

Classic Tool Chess Set
Gabi on Mar 17, 2018

5 out of 5 stars

Beautiful work I am extremely happy with this item.Thank you

Classic Tool Chess Set

Classic Tool Chess Set
Stephen on Aug 12, 2017

5 out of 5 stars

Great concept well executed. Interesting conversation piece for the chess collector.

Classic Tool Chess Set

Classic Tool Chess Set
Miranda on Dec 20, 2016

5 out of 5 stars

This chess set is stunning! If you are thinking about purchasing one but still are not sure, GET IT! They do absolutely beautiful work and William is so nice. Thank you guys so much!!

Classic Tool Chess Set

Classic Tool Chess Set
vanland11 on Dec 30, 2014

5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful chess set. Our fourteen year old grandson, was one happy young man. The only problem is I need to order another set for his brother.. Terri Ann

Classic Tool Chess Set

Classic Tool Chess Set
Greg on May 28, 2014

5 out of 5 stars

Great product, packaging, and heft! Happy customer.

Classic Tool Chess Set

Classic Tool Chess Set

About ToolChess

Sales 69

On Etsy since 2013

William and Charles in the shop. Working hard or hardly working?
The materials that go into a knight.
Knights being added to the homemade powder coating rack.
Centering the King's Crown.
Working away.

Tool Chess rose like a phoenix from the ashes of the family business

Tool Chess was invented around the time the family business -- a machine tool business based in Grand Rapids, Michigan called Gallmeyer and Livingston -- was closing down. A couple shop workers replaced a lost chess piece with some hardware pieces and my grandpa thought up the name "Tool Chess."

My dad sold a few sets about ten years ago, but since then the project has sat dormant. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, Tool Chess is back!

Like what you see? Give us a "like" on Facebook to see shop updates and get access to exclusive discounts -- www.facebook.com/toolchess. Also see more photos at www.toolchess.com

2016/2017 Update: a couple years ago my little chess business started to get bigger than my parents' basement and more time-consuming than could be allowed by a full-time day job. I met Ryan at Cascade Metal Design through a B2B matchmaking website. We spent two years going over the design and production of the Classic Tool Chess set. Now he does most of the heavy lifting and I put on the finishing touches. The Classic Tool Chess set is handmade in the USA and of the highest quality.

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Shop members

William

Owner

Hi! I'm Will, and I run Tool Chess. We sell handmade chess sets made out of nuts 'n bolts. In my spare time I like to stay active, work on flipping a house, and listen to podcasts. Thanks for checking out my site!
Charles Gallmeyer

Owner, Maker, Designer

Charles is the original inventor and developer of Tool Chess. Towards the end of his career working at the family-owned grinding machine business, Charles started playing around with different hardware items to find the ultimate Tool Chess design.

Production partners

Cascade Metal Design LLC

Solsberry, IN

Ryan Ferkingstad is the owner and head craftsman at Cascade Metal Design. From his website: "I started Cascade Metal Design in 2005 with a dream and my love for creating things."

Shop policies

Last updated on February 16, 2023

Accepted payment methods

Accepts Etsy Gift Cards and Etsy Credits

Returns & exchanges

See item details for return and exchange eligibility.

Cancellations

Cancellations: not accepted

Please contact the seller if you have any problems with your order.