How do you prevent warpage? (3 Viewers)

[mws2019]

I was curious if storing in closed clear trays can cause warpage? or should the chips be sandwiched with ceramic chips at each or something? My 48mm fat hat set is loose in the trays I am a bit concerned they may warp over time? Anything to do to insure that never happens?

 

[SwissChip]

Mostly heat (paired with humidity) is dangerous.
Don‘t let them in the car under the sun for example.
Some chips tend to warp more often due to ‚undercooking‘ while production…
Storing in decent racks is not a problem!
Just not in direct sunlight and humidity (80%+)
Some Silica gel pads in the box help control humidity for perfect storing. (Florida etc…)

 

[mws2019]

is low humidity bad like 30-40%

 

[Poker Zombie]

is low humidity bad like 30-40%

Every casino in Vegas says No.

 

[mws2019]

Every casino in Vegas says No.

does oiling the chip edges do anything to help mitigate it?

 

[ChaosRock]

From personal experience, if the chips fit super tight in a rack, and are left there for an extended period of time, yes, warping may, and likely will, occur. That is regardless of shifts in temperature and/or humidity.

That is the case ONLY if the chips fit super tightly, as I said. That comes from squishing half the chip (the half on the bottom) and letting the upper half of the chip without the same pressure for some time.

 

[upNdown]

I have no idea why people discuss humidity in regard to chip maintenance. I think one PCFer started mentioning humidity controlled environments years ago, and people kept repeating it for no good reason. I don't believe humidity is ever an issue with chips, unless they're growing surface mold.

As far as 48mm chips go, I'm not sure many people have enough experience with them to discuss warping issues because historically, there haven't been many of them. I'd say keep them in paulson-style racks out of the heat and hopefully they'll be fine. But it's a fair question.

 

[ChaosRock]

Another scenarios I would avoid is leaving chips in racks stacked 20 deep (like some pics we’ve seen from wsop for example). Not hard to figure out the bottom rack will be under heaving pressure from the weight of the other 19 racks on top of it. I would definitely avoid doing that for an extended period of time. Short term, no problem.

That wouldn’t be a warping issue though, more like making chips ever so slightly oblong.

 

[Poker Zombie]

if the chips fit super tight in a rack, and are left there for an extended period of time, yes, warping may, and likely will, occur.

If chips are left for that long, they're not getting played.

Sell before they warp!

 

[ChaosRock]

If chips are left for that long, they're not getting played.

Sell before they warp!

Definitely an option.

However, I know of many around here with multiple sets that the rotation of 'em in itself would cause sets to be "in the barn" for quite a while. I also know of a few, long time chippers, extremely knowledgeable and great contributors, who haven't hosted home games in years, for a multitude of reasons... They always have the hope things will change, and I'm confident once they do, they'll have great sets to play with...

 

[mws2019]

From personal experience, if the chips fit super tight in a rack, and are left there for an extended period of time, yes, warping may, and likely will, occur. That is regardless of shifts in temperature and/or humidity.

That is the case ONLY if the chips fit super tightly, as I said. That comes from squishing half the chip (the half on the bottom) and letting the upper half of the chip without the same pressure for some time.

So don't run 20 chips of hrr in the those racks then.

 

[ChaosRock]

So don't run 20 chips of hrr in the those racks then.

It depends on how tight those 20 chips are in the rack. Now, to me CPC chips seem a little more resilient to pressure than Paulsons. Maybe they are a little harder? Not sure... I have not seen the same effect on CPCs that I saw with Paulsons being tightly squeezed in racks. Now, just because I haven't seen doesn't meant it wouldn't happen I guess.

I do keep some CPCs in very, very tight racks and never observed any issues. They do get somewhat frequent play though.

 

[ekricket]

Store them with your vinyl records and you will be ok.

 

[SwissChip]

I don't believe humidity is ever an issue with chips, unless they're growing surface mold.

Exactly!
Hot air contains more humidity.
Hooker juice is bad enough - no need for additional surface mold.

 

[ballefrans]

I have a theory that murdered chips warps easier than chips with original inlays. I have a rack of murdered cpc I can see some slight warping in that occured after they were murdered. Or I might be going crazy

 

[Poker Zombie]

Definitely an option.

However, I know of many around here with multiple sets that the rotation of 'em in itself would cause sets to be "in the barn" for quite a while. I also know of a few, long time chippers, extremely knowledgeable and great contributors, who haven't hosted home games in years, for a multitude of reasons... They always have the hope things will change, and I'm confident once they do, they'll have great sets to play with...

That's why all Southeastern Michigan chippers should sell idle sets to @detroitdad , the world leader of chip-rotation exercise

 

[Coyote]

No freezing and no roasting temperatures, above all.
Racks in a suitcase should ideally have covers, so each rack rests on the rack cover below and not directly on the chips themselves.
Sure, not too tight fit in racks, but again, too loose could possibly be an issue if travelling.
Using elastic small protection pads (meant for chair and furniture legs) is a nice idea to fill racks if the chips are too loose.

 

[Booshme]

With a peacepage

 

[StatTracker]

I keep one of these puppies in each one of my cases for the humidity. Super cheap, lasts forever, and re-usable with minimal upkeep.
I've had to reheat them like twice in six years.

With the humidity dealt with, all that's left is not throwing your chips directly into a subzero freezer or into a fire.

Never had issues with long term storage in plastic racks, either ABS or Paulson racks.

 

[Saditsfact]

Another scenarios I would avoid is leaving chips in racks stacked 20 deep (like some pics we’ve seen from wsop for example). Not hard to figure out the bottom rack will be under heaving pressure from the weight of the other 19 racks on top of it. I would definitely avoid doing that for an extended period of time. Short term, no problem.

That wouldn’t be a warping issue though, more like making chips ever so slightly oblong.

@Gorbash