Is it possible to flatten ceramic chips? (1 Viewer)

[rjdev7]

I bought these 43mm Regency 1ks, and they're super nice to look at, but that's about it. They're very warped, to the point where each barrel almost topples over if you tap them from the side. Has anyone ever successfully flattened ceramic chips or are they destined to be spinners for ever?

 

[BGinGA]

I don't think you can..... or if possible, the heat/pressure needed would destroy the dye-sub printing.

 

[rjdev7]

That's what I figured

 

[BillyBluff]

@OfficerLovejoy

 

[ChaosRock]

A few years ago I got a rack of 44mm custom ceramics and all the chips were slightly convex. Not too bad though.

I was able to get them almost perfect after quite a few tries with different temperatures. I think I got up to 250F without any apparent damage to the chips. I got 75% of the way of them being perfect but couldn't get to 100%.

I just quit trying raising the temp more because I was already sick and tired of the process than because of any worry. 75% there was good enough for me.

 

[rjdev7]

Did you use any other flat ceramics in between them like traditional method of flattening compression molded chips or just sandwich them together?

 

[ChaosRock]

Just to elaborate a little more on the process I used:

Stove + Progressive Clamping + Freezer.

No blank spacers, only the warped chips.

The chips resembled contact lenses if you will. Obviously not as convex. I placed the chips in opposite orientation one by one, so the convex side of a chip was in contact with the convex side of the following chip, so on and so forth.

 

[rjdev7]

In the freezer.... Interesting!

Funny story, the first time I tried to flatten these I actually had them in the oven at 200 and nearly lit the apartment on fire. Not because of the wooden clamp, but because my girlfriend decided it was a good idea to store the oven mits in the bottom of the oven. What a mess that made. Maybe I'll give this another go. Truthfully I had some PTSD from that first attempt, but it wasn't a fair shot because of the fire hahaha

How long did you leave them in the oven + freezer?

 

[ChaosRock]

How long did you leave them in the oven + freezer?

I don't recall for how long they stayed in the oven but I honestly don't think it is that relevant as long as the chips achieve the desired temperature. It might have been 20 mins, maybe 30mins... Again, can't remember. I tried searching here in the forum but couldn't find it.

I think they stayed on the freezer for maybe 30 mins of so. I gave the chips the last "squeeze" before they went to the icebox.

They were Chipco blanks then printed by Palm International.

I honestly don't know if different manufacturers or printing processes will have different outcomes.

 

[OfficerLovejoy]

To answer my own question:
Yes, you can!
View attachment 721857
Good amount of pressure and 20 min at 65° celsius. Let them cool in the clamps for at least an hour and you get this (untreated chips on the left, flattened on the right):

Caution:
These settings worked for ceramics which are more heat resistant than clays as far as I can tell.
My recipe for flattening Paulsons is 10 min at 50° celsius.

@OfficerLovejoy

 

[allforcharity]

my girlfriend decided it was a good idea to store the oven mits in the bottom of the oven.

Like, actually inside the oven? Not a drawer beneath? Directly on the element?

 

[rjdev7]

Like, actually inside the oven? Not a drawer beneath? Directly on the element?

Lol - not on the element. In the drawer beneath. She wasn't trying to kill both of us, apparently her oven in the past could be used to store things like that safely. Ours has a storage drawer as well, but for whatever reason the oven mits lit on fire down there. Maybe it's only safe for non flammable things, who knows.

 

[maxim_666666]

Are all the ceramics curved?

 

[maxim_666666]

I recently bought several Nevada Jacks. But, I noticed that they are bent and I can not figure out if this is normal.

 

[dkellerd]

I recently bought several Nevada Jacks. But, I noticed that they are bent and I can not figure out if this is normal.

Never had Nevada Jacks specifically…but FWIW, none of my other ceramics have ever been warped.

 

[maxim_666666]

I am usually used to the fact that clay chips are very even and stable. But, now I was surprised.

 

[TheOffalo]

Lol - not on the element. In the drawer beneath. She wasn't trying to kill both of us, apparently her oven in the past could be used to store things like that safely. Ours has a storage drawer as well, but for whatever reason the oven mits lit on fire down there. Maybe it's only safe for non flammable things, who knows.

Are you sure it wasn’t the broiler drawer? I’ve had ovens where the bottom drawer was storage and ovens where the bottom drawer was for broiling.

 

[rjdev7]

It’s possible. Live and learn lol.

 

[upNdown]

Are all the ceramics curved?

If you mean are they all concave, I think the answer is no. I’m not sure if that was a feature unique to Chipcos or if some other manufacturers do it that way, too. Maybe all the good ones do? But the cheap ones don’t, and that’s why you get spinners.

 

[maxim_666666]

It's about Nevada Jack. Overall they are fine, but I hoped I expected them to be like bricks.

 

[maxim_666666]

 

[maxim_666666]

 

[Samuel]

Oh man, I just bought some Nevada Jack skulls from BRPROPoker (still waiting for them to be shipped), I will be a little upset if they are warped like that!

 

[maxim_666666]

Oh man, I just bought some Nevada Jack skulls from BRPROPoker (still waiting for them to be shipped), I will be a little upset if they are warped like that!

I do not know by whom they were produced. I bought them from the secondary market. Nevada Jack had many different manufacturers. I like them. Really good chips with a nice texture. The only thing that upsets me is this annoying little thing with distortions. I cannot say that they are too bad. I love the feeling. True, a little slippery. But, I expected better quality. For the first time, he departed from the golden rule "buy samples".

I don't think you need to worry. My chips are clearly from the old manufacturer (before BRPROPoker). many users say that BRPROPoker are of the best quality.

 

[maxim_666666]

Del

 

[Morpheus]

I also had back luck with Nevada Jacks. The chips were inconsisitent. I have since progressed to Paulson casino chips.

 

[maxim_666666]

I also had back luck with Nevada Jacks. The chips were inconsisitent. I have since progressed to Paulson casino chips.

Paulson, this is a great alternative.

But, I have just now been able to make the chips perfectly flat !!!!!!!

 

[maxim_666666]

Befor..

 

[maxim_666666]

Аfter!!!!!

 

[Morpheus]

Nicely done Maxim! What process did you use?