Are Weighted Plastic Pieces a Good Idea?

I had a set of plastic weighted pieces before and the weights on many of them ended up falling through the base of the pieces. I'm wondering if it's really a good idea to purchase them because they seem like they would not be able to handle time scrambles or blitz games.

It is a personal choice.

I don't think i could play with unweighted pieces anymore.

If my plastic pieces start losing their weights I will either fix them or buy new ones.

I travel everywhere with a vinyl board and triple weighted plastic pieces in a canvas tote from chesscentral.com.

I've played with weighted plastic pieces for years with no issues.  Personally, I think the worry would be more about chipped pieces while playing blitz but even that would be rare.

I think the plastic pieces travel well.  Incidentally, I just had a rook turret chip while in Transylvania.  I think it was because of the cold.  I haven't had issues with the weights.  And you can see playing in water I am pretty rough on the set.

After about 9 years traveling around I'm planning to settle and get a wooden set.

It depends on which plastic pieces you buy.

The plastic Drueke pieces, once very popular, were notorious for the weights coming loose.  The so-called "Big Knight" set, sold under different names by numerous vendors, has a poor reputation in this regard.  However, the weights can come loose on any set if you bang it long and hard enough.

FWIW, I think this is less a problem than it used to be.  The HOS sets and  premium sets from The Chess Store hold up very well, in my experience.  So, yes, I think weighted plastic sets are a good idea.

[EDIT] - Mods fixed it.

is it that hard to just glue them back in? I have a couple of those small cheap magnetic plastic sets and I put fingernail polish on the bottoms when I first opened them. if weights come out of my larger plastic triple and quadruple weighted sets I will use clear epoxy to put it back in.

Poisoned by what?

I totally hate weighted pieces. The plastic ones especially, for the reason cited in the OP. When the weights fall out, they weigh even less than non-weighted plastic pieces and tend to bounce around and fall over.

prefer triple weighted, did not have weights fall out

stable and balanced on blitz

For the towering 5" King Drueke #38 set I would say weights are needed. Especially when you see the King next to the smaller #36 set King  ... 

I would think they would be easy to fix. I own several vintage plastic Drueke #36 sets and it isn't a big deal with todays super glues. Fishing weights work well.

I was worried about that once.  Then I stopped eating plastic pieces.  Only wood for me.  Better fiber.

Wood rules. I have a 40 year old set and the bishops are starting to warp. It's fabulous. Lost a couple pieces so I hand whittled new ones. Lots of character in wood.

Really great wide based plastic pieces do not need weights. I also am not a fan of weights as I've seen them be more trouble than than they are worth. 

Thanks guys. I don't really have a problem with weights. I just don't want my pieces to break. I want to use a plastic set because those are easier to carry around for tournaments. 

40 years with weighted plastic sets never had the lead fall out, what are some of you doing, playing frisbee with them? Slamming them down as hard as you can ? What?