Long-Term Storage (1 Viewer)

UnicornFlash

UnicornFlash

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What is the best way to store chips long term? I was going to use Versa cases, but looking at photos on PCF, it seems like a lot of chippers store in racks stacked on top of each other, Warneke boxes, converted tool boxes, or birdcages. If I plan to keep my chips for years, then what is the best way to store my chips?
 
The environment in which they’re stored may be as important as how they’re stored. If they are kept in a place with low humidity and no big heat swings, that seems ideal.

As far as racks vs. cases, I’d want to feel confident that any dyes in the case material won’t transfer to the chips. I have not had problems in that regard with Versa cases. But plastic racks might give more total assurance.
 
For long term storage, there are a few things I would be worried about:
- Temp swings: probably not an issue unless you store in your garage
- Sunlight: keep them out of direct sunlight as it may fade colours/labels
- Fit: some chip racks are very tight and may leave an impression on chips if left for a long time (rack checks). Use loose fitting racks
- Colour transfer: if you put a very dark chip against a very light one, there may be some colour transfer. Maybe use a spacer between chips of different colours. This may also happen with half or quarter pies that have very different colours - spacers may not be practical but aligning so that the same colours are touching would mitigate

Note that all of the above is based on my opinion - I never store chips for a significant amount of time without taking them out and playing with them!
 
Taghkanic said:
The environment in which they’re stored may be as important as how they’re stored. If they are kept in a place with low humidity and no big heat swings, that seems ideal.

As far as racks vs. cases, I’d want to feel confident that any dyes in the case material won’t transfer to the chips. I have not had problems in that regard with Versa cases. But plastic racks might give more total assurance.
Click to expand...
Darson said:
For long term storage, there are a few things I would be worried about:
- Temp swings: probably not an issue unless you store in your garage
- Sunlight: keep them out of direct sunlight as it may fade colours/labels
- Fit: some chip racks are very tight and may leave an impression on chips if left for a long time (rack checks). Use loose fitting racks
- Colour transfer: if you put a very dark chip against a very light one, there may be some colour transfer. Maybe use a spacer between chips of different colours. This may also happen with half or quarter pies that have very different colours - spacers may not be practical but aligning so that the same colours are touching would mitigate

Note that all of the above is based on my opinion - I never store chips for a significant amount of time without taking them out and playing with them!
Click to expand...
Thanks. If I were to use racks for long-term storage instead of Versa cases, what would you recommend? My chips are 39 mm Paulsons with almost all in near mint/mint condition. Paulson racks? Unique racks? 66.7 mm racks or a different size?
 
I don’t know, but others here will. The one thing I would assume is that the answer may depend on how mint your chips are. If they have seen a lot of use they may fit looser.
 
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Thanks. Most of my chips are mint/uncirculated, so I would be curious to hear other PCFers' thoughts and recommendations on the racks.
 
Matsui's all day. They keep the weight off the chips and don't force chips up against each other since they run with some extra space in the barrels.
 
Paulson 24010, Unique, ChipCo, all would be sufficient for your needs.

I have heard that mint hotstamps sometimes fit better in the ChipCo, because its a few hairs longer in the barrel and can accommodate microwarping if it happens. I would also recommend the ChipCos if you are mixing different chip types and conditions for display purposes. For example, in my BOLO project, I have mostly barrels of Paulson clays ranging from Mint to Used, but also a few ceramics and plastics, sitting beside each other and stacked on top of each other.

My CDI98s go in Paulson 24010s but it looks like I'm running out.
 
The Matsui racks are interesting. Are they easy to find? I wouldn't mind buying one each of the Matsui, Paulson, and Unique racks to see how they fit.
 
UnicornFlash said:
The Matsui racks are interesting. Are they easy to find? I wouldn't mind buying one each of the Matsui, Paulson, and Unique racks to see how they fit.
Click to expand...

Everything will be loose in the Matsui. They are octagon-shaped barrels and can handle 43mm diameter chips with ease, and a bit of wiggle room in the barrel length to fit the most varied of CC and ceramic chip thickness.
The Paulson and Unique, from what I've seen, are exactly the same. Unique manufactures to the Paulson standard (and even makes the branded racks for them, no?).
You should pick up a ChipCo if you're comparing all of them.

Just so you know, the Da Vinci and other cheap bulk acrylic racks on Amazon and eBay can also be used, but they have a VERY long barrel length and just about all chips will fit loosely in them. My most-worn Paulsons have fit 22 to a barrel in some cases for these cheaper racks.
 
allforcharity said:
Everything will be loose in the Matsui. They are octagon-shaped barrels and can handle 43mm diameter chips with ease, and a bit of wiggle room in the barrel length to fit the most varied of CC and ceramic chip thickness.
The Paulson and Unique, from what I've seen, are exactly the same. Unique manufactures to the Paulson standard (and even makes the branded racks for them, no?).
You should pick up a ChipCo if you're comparing all of them.

Just so you know, the Da Vinci and other cheap bulk acrylic racks on Amazon and eBay can also be used, but they have a VERY long barrel length and just about all chips will fit loosely in them. My most-worn Paulsons have fit 22 to a barrel in some cases for these cheaper racks.
Click to expand...
I think I will do that. I will say that the Matsuis sound nice since they can be stacked without putting pressure on the chips, which is a concern of mine and why I was going to use Versa cases. I will go with whatever protects the chips best long-term.
 
What about storing the chips in Werneke boxes? I will use racks or Versa cases, but I am curious if Werneke boxes are good for long-term storage as well.
 
Well, that's how they're typically stored in casinos if they're not scheduled for active play. Many around here just like to display them as well, so that's why they use stacked acrylic racks and birdcages in the open air or in display cases and shelving.
 
allforcharity said:
Well, that's how they're typically stored in casinos if they're not scheduled for active play. Many around here just like to display them as well, so that's why they use stacked acrylic racks and birdcages in the open air or in display cases and shelving.
Click to expand...
I will go with the Matsui racks. The ability to stack them without putting weight on the chips, plus having the chips covered sounds like the best way to go.
 
I do wonder about leaving chips stacked on top of each other for long periods of time. I get the appeal of Matsui racks, but the fit is just too loose for me in terms of side to side action. Not a fan.
I don't believe these cheap trays lock together, but they should be flat enough to stack solidly. Does anyone have experience with lids like these?
1577801385228.png
 
markleteenie said:
I do wonder about leaving chips stacked on top of each other for long periods of time. I get the appeal of Matsui racks, but the fit is just too loose for me in terms of side to side action. Not a fan.
I don't believe these cheap trays lock together, but they should be flat enough to stack solidly. Does anyone have experience with lids like these?
View attachment 386169
Click to expand...
I have a few but I think they don't stack well.
 
markleteenie said:
I do wonder about leaving chips stacked on top of each other for long periods of time. I get the appeal of Matsui racks, but the fit is just too loose for me in terms of side to side action. Not a fan.
I don't believe these cheap trays lock together, but they should be flat enough to stack solidly. Does anyone have experience with lids like these?
View attachment 386169
Click to expand...

I have a bunch, and I like them. They can be a little loose when stacking, but I much prefer them to open trays.
 
I have roughly 50,000 chips (mostly mint Paulsons), all stored in either acrylic racks (Paulson, Chipco, or PGI) or Paulson/Werneke white chip boxes. Most are in stacks of 6 to 10 trays/boxes, and in a temperature- and humidity-controlled dedicated chip closet.

I find the Matsui racks to be too flimsy and too large and loose-fitting for my liking.
 
How long term are you talking?

The WSOP uses their chips a few months and then stores them in racks, about 10 high, if I recall. There are pics somewhere (probably the last time someone asked about long term storage). There has been no deformity of the WSOP chips.

My mint Paulsons get out about once a year. They are stacked 5-7 racks high, in tight fitting racks. By tight, I mean there is no wiggle, but I'm not using a hammer to slide in chip #20. It would seem wiggle would be the worst because of uneven weight distribution.

All chips are stored in a temperature controlled, windowless environment. Chips are stored close to the floor in the event of violent vibration: earthquakes, a car driving through the house, or unexpected shelving failure.

If I were to consider longer storage, I would use a Pelican (or similar) case to protect from aforementioned traumatic situations, water, or smoke damage. A pelican won't protect from fire for very long, but most fire damage is smoke related, so a Pelican would absolutely help in that unfortunate situation.
 
UnicornFlash said:
What do you use then? Paulson racks? Matsui racks?
Click to expand...
Mostly acrylic racks stacked up to five high and topped with another rack that's upside down. Some chips are in Paulson/BCC or Warneke boxes. Most of the acrylic racks are Paulson 24010 or racks with 66.7 or 67.7 molded into the bottom (can't recall the manufacturer). I also use 43mm and 50mm acrylic racks for larger chips, dealer buttons, and card protectors (chips in airtites). Some chips are in 4x25 plastic chip boxes.

I've stored/displayed chips in bird cages for years and have never seen marks on the chips from the racks of chips sitting on them.

Darson said:
For long term storage, there are a few things I would be worried about:
- Temp swings: probably not an issue unless you store in your garage
- Sunlight: keep them out of direct sunlight as it may fade colours/labels
- Fit: some chip racks are very tight and may leave an impression on chips if left for a long time (rack checks). Use loose fitting racks
- Colour transfer: if you put a very dark chip against a very light one, there may be some colour transfer. Maybe use a spacer between chips of different colours. This may also happen with half or quarter pies that have very different colours - spacers may not be practical but aligning so that the same colours are touching would mitigate

Note that all of the above is based on my opinion - I never store chips for a significant amount of time without taking them out and playing with them!
Click to expand...

Rack checks are the result of "checking the rack" for missing chips by running the edge of one chip along the sides of the racked chips, using the edge of the rack as a guide. This leaves marks on the end chips, and if sharp edges are combined with enough force, the edge of the chip digs into the end chips and leaves more of a gouge than a mark.
 
Last edited:
abby99 said:
Rack checks are the result of "checking the rack" for missing chips by running the edge of one chip along the sides of the racked chips, using the edge of the rack as a guide.
Click to expand...
I meant to comment on that as well. I've never seen a chip deformed from a rack that was too tight. Not saying it can't happen (especially in a very warm environment) but never seen it, nor a photo of it happening.
 
Tommy said:
I've seen marks left on chips in Paulson racks when stacked. In process of switching all my chips over to Matsui racks.

View attachment 386944View attachment 386945
Click to expand...

[le sigh!] I'll check mine when I get home. If necessary, their next sleeping quarters will be Warneke boxes, to be stored on the boxes' sides with the barrels of chips stacked upright. The only downside is I can't see them.
 
abby99 said:
Rack checks are the result of "checking the rack" for missing chips by running the edge of one chip along the sides of the racked chips, using the edge of the rack as a guide. This leaves marks on the end chips, and if sharp edges are combined with enough force, the edge of the chip digs into the end chips and leaves more of a gouge than a mark.
Click to expand...
Nice bit of education for me - I always assumed it was just from tight fitting chips. :)
 

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