MeTheBoxLuhst wrote:
I can play lead and rythm, but if your gonna be playing metal its easier to be using and electric, acoustic would make it difficult if your going to try to play lead, Preferebly a strat if you have one.
How old are you?
Does it matter?
No but if you had said something like 10 it *might* excuse your immature posts. The purpose of this thread is to have a meaningful exchange on the subject of lead in chess sets.
Can't be so sure of that, I do know you can absorb lead through dermal contact, I also have to assume these lead weights are the cheapest possible. The thing is that experts agree there is NO SAFE level of lead exposure, of course we encounter it in minuscule amounts every day which makes it more important to avoid any unnecessary exposure. I remember as a kid the weights fell out of my chess set every once in a while and I would hold on to the weight not knowing what I was doing, and it's very common to see hallowed pieces with weights missing, specially in scholastic settings.
Thing is these things have lead in them and they come with no warning of what they contain so people and specially parents can make informed decisions.
Anyone ever think of the lead cntent in the plastics being used over there too?
Shelby
Do you mean to say the plastics used for the pieces may themselves contain lead? I was thinking of getting a lead test and test the exterior of some of my sets, maybe with more reason now.
And Shelby, I know you are a pretty big distributor/manufacturer of chess sets, what is your take on this? why hasn't the industry moved away from lead weights? Have you ever considered replacing lead with an alternative? I know that if I had the choice between lead and non lead I would definitely chose the non lead and I would be more than willing to pay more for that.
Haven't they considered using tungsten for the weights instead?
I heard on more than one occasion over the years that tungsten costs too much. It is superior and dense but the cost in a plastic set is the reason no one uses it. Have no idea why it isn't used in the better quality wood chess sets.
Another option that is being used in other applications is special high density thermoplastics. Search for high density plastic or heavy plastic lead replacement
Anyone ever think of the lead cntent in the plastics being used over there too?
Shelby
Do you mean to say the plastics used for the pieces may themselves contain lead? I was thinking of getting a lead test and test the exterior of some of my sets, maybe with more reason now.
And Shelby, I know you are a pretty big distributor/manufacturer of chess sets, what is your take on this? why hasn't the industry moved away from lead weights? Have you ever considered replacing lead with an alternative? I know that if I had the choice between lead and non lead I would definitely chose the non lead and I would be more than willing to pay more for that.
Yes, some plastics are made with lead compounds. Are plastics chess pieces made from these plastics? Possible. Some plastic toys are. As well as, cooking utensils, water hoses, glass, and many other products.
Can't be so sure of that, I do know you can absorb lead through dermal contact, I also have to assume these lead weights are the cheapest possible. The thing is that experts agree there is NO SAFE level of lead exposure, of course we encounter it in minuscule amounts every day which makes it more important to avoid any unnecessary exposure. I remember as a kid the weights fell out of my chess set every once in a while and I would hold on to the weight not knowing what I was doing, and it's very common to see hallowed pieces with weights missing, specially in scholastic settings.
Thing is these things have lead in them and they come with no warning of what they contain so people and specially parents can make informed decisions.
Incorrect! There is no study showing metallic lead can be absorbed though the skin, in fact, the EPA implies the opposite ,stating that "it should be safe to wash in water with elevated lead levels." Assuming the lead is from a metallic lead (pipes) and not industrial pollution.
Lead compounds (not metallic) can be absorbed through the skin. These are industrial products used to manufacture other products. ALL studies that show lead can be absorbed through the skin are done with industrial lead compounds, ALL VERY DANGEROUS. Not the same as the metal lead weights in chess pieces, not even close.
Luster, yes it does matter, because we are NOT talking about music. We are talking about the metal, the element called lead, you know... Lead pipes in ancient Roman times? People going nuts? Anyway, in case you didn't read the thread, this is about chess pieces having lead weights on the bottom, which may fall out, and kids get exposed to the lead. I'm suggesting tungsten because it is very dense and heavy. Crooks try to pass on partially or mostly fake gold bars, because the weigh of both of these metals are fairly similar.
Lead poisoning in Roman times is believed to be from cooking grape juice in lead pots. The syrup made from this process was used to sweeten and preserve other food products. It was also made into a condiment, believed to be the most popular condiment of the times.
Haven't they considered using tungsten for the weights instead?
You do know there is a such thing as tungsten poisoning. Hmmm... Margarine anyone?
Yes, and if you look at your tongue you can tell if you have tungsten poisoning...punster humor...
It seems that our government is looking to increase faster time controls in chess. What other reason would they have to make Chess players, "Get the lead out"?!?
I heard they are secretly testing chess pieces in wind tunnels. Every millisecond counts. :-)
In addition, some studies have indicated that heavy weighted chess pieces can lead to injuries. The lighter aerodynamic designs suggest players can dramatically reduce the incidences of reported injuries to the arms, hands, and eyes. However, the level of measured psychological risks seems to be unchanged with the new designs.
They should use gold.
Why not platinum? :-) it's a little cheaper. Got to save where you can. :-)
I heard they are secretly testing chess pieces in wind tunnels. Every millisecond counts. :-)
In addition, some studies have indicated that heavy weighted chess pieces can lead to injuries. The lighter aerodynamic designs suggest players can dramatically reduce the incidences of reported injuries to the arms, hands, and eyes. However, the level of measured psychological risks seems to be unchanged with the new designs.
Check out the Chess Club scene in "A Mighty Wind".
On a couple of occasions I've bought chess sets with hollow bottoms, and filled the cavity with modelling clay. It's heavy, non-toxic, and doesn't oxidize.
On a couple of occasions I've bought chess sets with hollow bottoms, and filled the cavity with modelling clay. It's heavy, non-toxic, and doesn't oxidize.
Interesting idea.
Although "non-toxic", not saying it will, but it may react when exposed to other chemicals or materials. I would not take the risk with wood chessmen, it might have a undesired effect on the wood pieces.
The potential brittleness of clay is a consideration, of course, but covered with felt, I've never had any problems with it. The first set I did this with was back in the early 1980s, and I've never had to replace the weights. (I also bought an old bakelite set, probably used at the Varna Olympiad in 1962, which has been weighted in this manner as well, and I could see no signs of cracking or crumbling when I replaced the felt on some of the pieces.) Should the clay crumble or break, you can always refill the cavity easily. As long as you tamp down the clay well (think porcelain dental fillings), you get a piece with good weighting and heft.
Moreover, unless you're constantly banging the pieces on the board, there's no reason at all why the clay should crack or break. Actually, I'd even go as far as to say that you then need to be more worried about the pieces themselves!
The potential brittleness of clay is a consideration, of course, but covered with felt, I've never had any problems with it. The first set I did this with was back in the early 1980s, and I've never had to replace the weights. (I also bought an old bakelite set, probably used at the Varna Olympiad in 1962, which has been weighted in this manner as well, and I could see no signs of cracking or crumbling when I replaced the felt on some of the pieces.) Should the clay crumble or break, you can always refill the cavity easily. As long as you tamp down the clay well (think porcelain dental fillings), you get a piece with good weighting and heft.
Moreover, unless you're constantly banging the pieces on the board, there's no reason at all why the clay should crack or break. Actually, I'd even go as far as to say that you then need to be more worried about the pieces themselves!
A Stainless Steel bolt set into the clay should bring the weight up.
Lead in figurines is not a risk to children unless the weights are swallowed directly, as lead dissolves easily in gastric juices. However, covered weights are usually well sealed, or covered with glue, so that they do not fall out during many years of use. However, there is an ecological risk when disposing of figures - it is advisable to remove the lead weights and hand them over to the waste collection point. It actually requires similar handling to a fishing pencil.
In addition to lead, tin is also used, or tin with the addition of lead.
The real concern about lead in toys is where the lead is in a position to be handled. Most obviously in old toy soldiers and figurines where the whole toy is made of lead (or lead alloy) and is either handled directly or is covered only in paint which will chip or flake off.
Even then, for children old enough to understand the importance of basic hygiene and that some things should not be eaten, the associated risks can be heavily mitigated if not eliminated by maintaining a strict "wash hands after handling" policy. I remember being aware of the risks of lead in certain toys and the importance of not ingesting any lead from the age of about 8.
While there may be some chess pieces which are made entirely of lead alloy, or pewter (which may contain lead or other toxic metals like antimony) so that the metal is handled, a wooden or plastic set that merely uses lead weights should not present any risk of lead poisoning, as the lead is sealed away, and only with extremely rough handling or deliberate dismantling are the weights ever likely to come out and present any kind of danger.
Depending on which country you're in, you are probably in more danger of lead poisoning from the environment at large (although general levels of environmental lead contamination have been dropping over the last ~30 years), particularly where plumbing is reliant on 19th-century lead pipes...
SG$2 wooden pieces, paper board, popular when I was a kid in school. looks like image below, international chess symbols on the other side
I have a wood set like that! It cost me a few dollars more only because I live in the United States. I think it came from Hong Kong?