Are the plastic sets ('club special', 'triple weighted tournament special', etc.) that all seem to be the same sets sold by different dealers using different names SOLID plastic or are they hollow?

I've written a few dealers asking this but get no answer from them.  I guess they'd rather not sell me a chess set.

How about the House of Staunton plastic sets?  Are they solid or hollow?

Thanks a lot for any info any of you can share with me.

For the money its tough to beat the "Big Knight" set sold by USCF when you get one of their package deals i.e set, roll-up board case ect.  The set is heavily weighted and elegant.

If I press on the felt base of my triple weighted sets, they certainly feel solid.  I can't say for sure though as I've never seen a spec on that and have never crushed or cross sectioned a piece.  They feel rigid, heavy, and well balanced.  I would think they are solid plastic.

I have a $3 set not weighted that is almost certainly hollow.  I can tell by pressing on the felt bottom and by the lack of weight and balance. 

As long as the pieces are adequately weighted, balanced, and rigid, does it matter? 

Here's a reference to a discussion on tournament sets in case you didn't see it.   It doesn't answer your specific question but does discuss many options.

http://www.chess.com/forum/view/chess-equipment/tournament-chess-set

CJBas> Are the plastic sets ... SOLID plastic or are they hollow?

As long s it's triple-weighted (ie: 3lbs) and feels good, what does it matter?

Thanks a lot for the help, people.  I'll look into the USCF sets and read that section on accepted tournament equipment.

The reason I asked about solid pieces is that I have an old plastic set that is weighted, but hollow, and doesn't feel like it could stand up to rough treatment at all.  I guess it doesn't matter if the pieces are hollow so long as they're sturdy, which is what I should have asked.

Again, thanks a lot.

Nothing wrong with asking the question, Henry.  Buyer beware is a good thing, and especially necessary in online shopping.  Enjoy,

Paul

Yeah, I went with this one, and I really like it.  Plus, you can't beat the price - at $17.99(US), it's a great deal:

http://www.wholesalechess.com/chess/chess_sets/Paladin+Chess+Pieces

 

I don't even notice that they're plastic.

Edit: Mine are solid.

USCF members get a good price right now on the 3.75" plastic Collector. $19.95+ shipping.

 http://uscfsales.com/item.asp?cID=0&PID=2625 

It's a great plastic set. 

sorry to go off on a tangent but what is the height (3.75"?)and wieght of standard sized pieces, i assume it is based on the king? Im deciding on a set at the moment, and it is interesting some places sell pieces only and board only or as a set, and the pieces range in size and weight. Im anglin fer full sized and "proper" weighted yet sturdy pieces with a study board that folds into a case to hold it all together for transport.

This site is one that has been recommended, if anyone recognises any of the sets and cares to comment. cheers!

http://www.chessbaron.co.uk

Yeah 3.75 relates to the king and gives some idea of proportion of set and what size board it would play best on, for example 4" king set on 2 3/8 squares board 3.75 king on 2 1/4 etc.

I would think the plastic pieces would have to be solid so they can be drilled to hold the weights. Otherwise, they would rattle.

CJBas, Where are you at in Alabama?  If you aer in the northern part of the state, then you are not too far from the House of Staunton Showroom for the United States.  It is right near the Tennessee border.  I went there once to compare plastic sets for tournaments.  The pieces are so sturdy and really nice for a plastic set.  I play games with this set everywhere.  It is always in my car.  I get compliments on how nice the set is all of the time.  (If they only knew about the other sets that don't leave the house.)  I would highly recoment the HoS sets.  They will stand up to a lifetime of abuse and then you can pass them down to your kids.