“I’m just getting started,” he said. “I’m basically doing a lot of baby steps.”

A set starts as discarded sparkplugs. Local repair shops collect them for Marx to retrieve. About once a month, he gathers his bounty and the process begins.

First, he sorts them by size and manufacturer. Then Marx soaks the plugs in a solution to clean them.

After choosing the ones in the best shape, he grinds the bottoms to affix a nut for stability. He also saws off the tops of the plugs and then dons the piece with a cap denoting the type of chess piece. For example, the king’s topper is an inverted tire stem. He also uses valve covers and other auto parts.

A very labor-intensive venture, each set takes about 20 hours of labor and much drying time between steps. Marx also makes custom wooden boxes for each set.

“Even at mass production, I am making 52 a year,” he said.

Each set is custom made. The purchaser can choose colors and even brands of sparkplugs. Some have made rival sides such as American manufacturers versus German, he said.

They sell for $275 a set. Marx has a website at www.chesscreations.com. He also sells sets out of his home at 303 N. Hoback St.