I bought several plastic sets from the chess store online and was very disappointed with heavy mold lines, poor shaping, crappy felt, etc. I got their most expensive plastic triple weighted set and still; it was crap.
Where can I get a very nice plastic set. I'd like a 4 or 4.25 inch king, no mold lines, quality traditional Staunton set with a nice, semi or full gloss finish.
Who sells such a quality plastic set?
Over the last 3 months, I have purchased three chess sets and a large roll up board from Wholesale chess and I have to say all of the products are terrible.
I bought their "premier chess pieces" http://xrl.us/bhyesk (Link to www.wholesalechess.com) and I regret it. This sounds like a joke, but the crowns on the queens are really jagged and sharp. Also, literally after a day, the weights inside of the white king started to rattle around which makes it sound like an old spray paint can. The rattling king gets unbelevalby annoying when an endgame is played out.
If this is their premere plastic set, I don't even want to know what the other plastic sets resemble.
House of staunton plastic sets are pretty good. FYI, check Amazon because some of the HOS sets come with a free board while the same sets on the HOS webpage do not.
that is odd. i've always received quality products from wholesalechess.com. have you spoken to them? they are very good about servicing their product.
Not yet. I am putting together a video rewiew to send them.
Thinking out of the box here, why not try wooden pieces, if the plastics sets all seem unsatisfactory?
Here in Germany there is a cheap plastic chess set very common for junior teams which ist almost undestroyable at which also looks quite nice. I've posted a pic in another thread.
Buy wood. Last longer.
It depends on what type of material a set is made of. Some materials will outlast wood. But wood feels better to the touch. Sort of that "back to natural feel". I have many sets made of many different types of materials and from foreign countries. However, none of which helps me win more than the other, but it is enjoyable for me to play with different set styles and materials.
I remember joining a chess club for the first time. I took my best set that I had at that time, which was a plastic 11th century theme set. I soon learned that sets were not the issue there, because it is like Renaud and Kahn said, "You play chess with the mind and not the hands." (or the pieces in my case) I quickly realized the boards and pieces were not that important and quickly purchased a Staunton set in which everyone could quickly relate to one piece from another. It fascinated me that most of the regulars' rollup boards had little paint left on the center squares because constant playing. That made a true impression on me as to the importance of controlling the center.
The best plastic set I own is a 25 year old Drueke tournament set. There are no mold lines and color is perfect and the weight is outstanding. As for plastic buffing compounds, use Novus #2 and a 100% cotton cloth. You can order it online from TAP Plastics (tapplastics.com). The USCF has decent plastic tournaments sets at a fair price.
I'll second the statement that Wholesale Chess is a fine shop. I've rarely had problems with any of my orders, and when I have, they've always more than made up for it. I pretty much only buy chess supplies from them now.
Dewriat, please keep us posted on the outcome. I'm sure they'll fix it.
I just checked out wholesalechess.com and there before my eyes was the wood chess set I have been wanting. Not that I need another set, but I do not have a fine wood chess set. I have sets made of many different materials, and one made of wood that I cherish, because who gave it to me. It is a hand-carved set from the Columbian backcountry.
It is good to know of a company that is good to deal with. Thank you for the recommendation.
Good grief!
You're looking at something like a minimum of 34 hours work, plus the cost of sandpaper, primer, paint, and the $7 set, not counting the time to paint, weight and re-felt the pieces plus the cost of materials to do that -- for what? A nicer but realistically nondescript chippable painted plastic set?
Looking only at the original cost plus 34 hours of work valued at only at $2.45 per hour (assuming shipping is a wash), you would have been ahead of the game had you simply purchased something like the 3.75 inch Parker Staunton set in ebonized boxwood & boxwood. You would have had a much nicer set, wood (better feel), with a superior design, ready to enjoy.
Don't get me wrong. I'm a second generation do-it-yourselfer. Actually, I'm also a professional woodworker. But some things you can just buy -- and spend your time on more worthwhile projects. I don't know about you, but I haven't worked for $2.45 an hour in over 30 years. (My time is worth at least $3/hr!)
Good grief!
You're looking at something like a minimum of 34 hours work, plus the cost of sandpaper, primer, paint, and the $7 set, not counting the time to paint, weight and re-felt the pieces plus the cost of materials to do that -- for what? A nicer but realistically nondescript chippable painted plastic set?
Looking only at the original cost plus 34 hours of work valued at only at $2.45 per hour (assuming shipping is a wash), you would have been ahead of the game had you simply purchased something like the 3.75 inch Parker Staunton set in ebonized boxwood & boxwood. You would have had a much nicer set, wood (better feel), with a superior design, ready to enjoy.
Don't get me wrong. I'm a second generation do-it-yourself-er. Actually, I'm also a professional woodworker. But some things you can just buy -- and spend your time on more worthwhile projects. I don't know about you, but I haven't worked for $2.45 an hour in over 30 years. (My time is worth at least $3/hr!)
Maybe he does it for the sense of accomplishment.
I love my wooden set, but I have to find out where it's from.
I think we have different definitions. To me, building a nice chess table might provide a sense of accomplishment and the satisfaction of "creating" something myself. Altering an existing item wouldn't do it for me.
I suspect we also have very different tastes. The most phenomenal plastic set imagineable, to me, is ultimately "just" a plastic set. Wood, on the other hand, is much more aesthetically pleasing. A "Stradivari" violin molded out of plastic, regardless of how it would sound (probably very, bad!), just couldn't cut it next to one sculpted of wood by the Master. And I doubt the plastic would survive over 250 years of continuous use like the wood has.
I wanted the same thing and I bought this set
It is pretty good, I only noticed it has mold lines after reading your post and I inspected my pieces (they are subtle lines). The pieces are a good weight and have a nice feel to them. I suppose one drawback for you is the shop is in London and although I don't know the shipping costs I can't imagine it's free. This was everything I was loooking for and I was more than happy with the quality when I recieved it.
I got the Paladin set last year from Wholesale Chess at closeout price. This is probably one of the better plastic sets I've seen (triple weighted, and the pieces look great). I know at least one online store still carries them:
http://www.chesshouse.com/The_Paladin_Chess_Set_p/c214.htm
You might want to do a Google search for "paladin chess set" to see if you can find one cheaper or with slightly different colors or weights.