Is being built by me.
So far...well, I havn't actually started, lol. I got a real wood chess board and its in the center of the dinner table, I plan to add the first piece within a week. In the end I hope to make a new board also.
I'm going to combine milling and lathe for the cutting. For the modeling I havn't decided yet. I might use solidworks just because it's easy. Then I can import iges and dxf as needed to feed the lathe and mill. Mastercam solids is too limited to even pretend to use. I might use cimatron, I have a student version at home(cough) that I can model with, then bring it to work and cut it. Not sure yet.
As far as design, im looking over chess sets online left and right. Something to get me started. I was thinking 300 stainless and moldmax for the pieces. Felt bottoms. maybe diamond polish the 300 stainless, spin polish with fine scotchbrite the moldmax. Aluminum is just too light for chess pieces.
If anybody has done something like this post some pics.