Starting My First Custom Ceramics... (1 Viewer)

[Old State]

So I found this forum originally while researching how to clean my custom ASM I had made many years ago. They were played with almost weekly for 4 years and then sporadically for a while until the last couple years when I started playing more and with a newer crowd. Needless to say they got ”tacky” and I grew tired of cleaning them individually. I was upset to find out US cleaning isn’t an option so I decided to looking into ceramics. I also always kinda wanted a ceramic set.

Now that I am finally selling a 1000 chip set of ASM blanks that I never used, the wife will be able to better accept me getting a new set (she doesn’t like too much “stuff” around)

Looking to solicit the opinions of the group as I am in no way a “chip collector” and don’t have first hand experience with the various manufacturers out there.

Needs, wants, and questions:

-I want to be able to clean these in an untrasonic. We are playing a lot more and the chips are getting sticky again. Really don’t want to scrub them with a toothbrush
-I really like the idea of 43mm. But I also like birdcages. Is this going to be a PITA? Are 43’s worth this hassle?
-Considering Hybrids too. Can these be cleaned in an US cleaner? Does Sunfly only have glossy labels still?
-Is ABC Gifts and Sunfly the only real options right now?
-Does anyone have samples of different manufacturers they want to sell?
-Any design advice from a practicality standpoint? Do they do preliminary samples? I have the creative side handled as my Father is a very talented graphic artist..and is retired and has time. He is also free

I plan on a 1000+ set so should be able to get bulk pricing.

Thanks!

 

[detroitdad]

-Is ABC Gifts the only real options right now

IMO ABC has a way superior product. I put my Parks and Rec set on the ABC blanks and I couldn't be happier. They stack, shuffle, and sound great.

Do they do preliminary samples?

They will run mock ups for you. I had to have a couple of mock ups done before I was happy with them.

The customer service at ABC was some of the best that I have ever had. If I emailed them M-F they answered the same day. Usually within a few hours. If I emailed them on the weekend they would get back with me on MON. morning. Trust me. I sent them a lot of emails

 

[Darson]

Ceramics are pretty robust so you'll have no problem cleaning them, even in an ultrasonic although you probably won't need to use one since they don't have nooks and crannies for dirt to get stuck in to. They'll stay cleaner longer IMHO.

Hybrids are just as robust however I would not put them through an ultrasonic. The "inlays" are just a sticker so soaking the chip may lead to water getting under the sticker. But they'll still stay cleaner than clays.

Not all ceramics are created equal - you can get cheaper from a Chinese vendor but you may get spinners. The samples I have gotten from Chinese suppliers all had spinners. Sunfly hybrids are the exception because they have the recessed area for the label hence mitigate the likelihood of spinners. If I was getting regular ceramics I would stick with ABC - they're worth the premium.

I got a 43mm ceramic sample from ABC - they're nice, just like the 39mm with a similar feel just larger. When you're ordering over 1000 the price difference isn't that great: 78c vs 81c/chip. If I was doing a custom ceramic set, I'd go with 43mm.

 

[Josh Kifer]

So I found this forum originally while researching how to clean my custom ASM I had made many years ago. They were played with almost weekly for 4 years and then sporadically for a while until the last couple years when I started playing more and with a newer crowd. Needless to say they got ”tacky” and I grew tired of cleaning them individually. I was upset to find out US cleaning isn’t an option so I decided to looking into ceramics. I also always kinda wanted a ceramic set.

Now that I am finally selling a 1000 chip set of ASM blanks that I never used, the wife will be able to better accept me getting a new set (she doesn’t like too much “stuff” around)

Looking to solicit the opinions of the group as I am in no way a “chip collector” and don’t have first hand experience with the various manufacturers out there.

Needs, wants, and questions:

-I want to be able to clean these in an untrasonic. We are playing a lot more and the chips are getting sticky again. Really don’t want to scrub them with a toothbrush
-I really like the idea of 43mm. But I also like birdcages. Is this going to be a PITA? Are 43’s worth this hassle?
-Considering Hybrids too. Can these be cleaned in an US cleaner? Does Sunfly only have glossy labels still?
-Is ABC Gifts and Sunfly the only real options right now?
-Does anyone have samples of different manufacturers they want to sell?
-Any design advice from a practicality standpoint? Do they do preliminary samples? I have the creative side handled as my Father is a very talented graphic artist..and is retired and has time. He is also free

I plan on a 1000+ set so should be able to get bulk pricing.

Thanks!

Well, you can use a US on ASM chips, you just can't use TSP or Oxy... You can use simple green as long as the water isn't too hot .. just sayin!

 

[sir bluffs alot]

Denis, I forgot to tell you that Gene @ABC Gifts and Awards is awesome to work with. He helped me a ton with my ceramics.

@MegaTon44 are those new hybrids from Sun-Fly?

 

[Old State]

Hybrids are just as robust however I would not put them through an ultrasonic. The "inlays" are just a sticker so soaking the chip may lead to water getting under the sticker. But they'll still stay cleaner than clays.



I got a 43mm ceramic sample from ABC - they're nice, just like the 39mm with a similar feel just larger. When you're ordering over 1000 the price difference isn't that great: 78c vs 81c/chip. If I was doing a custom ceramic set, I'd go with 43mm.

So the inlays don’t use some type of high strength adhesive? That makes me nervous about using an US on my ASMs since I had plenty of those labels pop off in the first few years. They appear to just be glued on as well.

For 43mm chips, where do you get a bird cage or do I just have to use those Japanese racks (forget the company name)? matsui?

 

[Josh Kifer]

So the inlays don’t use some type of high strength adhesive? That makes me nervous about using an US on my ASMs since I had plenty of those labels pop off in the first few years. They appear to just be glued on as well.

For 43mm chips, where do you get a bird cage or do I just have to use those Japanese racks (forget the company name)?

Matsui

 

[Darson]

So the inlays don’t use some type of high strength adhesive? That makes me nervous about using an US on my ASMs since I had plenty of those labels pop off in the first few years. They appear to just be glued on as well.

For 43mm chips, where do you get a bird cage or do I just have to use those Japanese racks (forget the company name)? matsui?

Clay inlays are glued on but also compressed into the chip. I would expect that the clay fills any void spaces leaving no gaps for water etc to get in behind the inlay when new. After years of use and wear gaps may form which may allow the inlay to get exposed to the elements and loosen. There are probably more factors here like the mold, size of inlay etc that may cause some to be more susceptible than others. It would surprise me if this was an issue for home use given that these chips are designed to be used all day every day in a casino and subject to far more wear than they would ever see at home.

For hybrids, the glue is pretty good. I doubt you'll have any issues with them coming off - my only concern would be if you would soak them in a ultrasonic. I have no data to say this is a risk or not, just something I wouldn't do. Personally, I don't think you'll ever need to use an ultrasonic to clean ceramics - since they're smooth they won't collect dirty like clays do.

And for storage, I use Matsui racks. I also use tubes to keep them in starting stacks. You can see both in this pic:

 

[Kid_Eastwood]

Note that SunFly also proposes ceramic chips with a mold. They are their so-called « PolyClay » chips.

 

[Old State]

Clay inlays are glued on but also compressed into the chip. I would expect that the clay fills any void spaces leaving no gaps for water etc to get in behind the inlay when new. After years of use and wear gaps may form which may allow the inlay to get exposed to the elements and loosen. There are probably more factors here like the mold, size of inlay etc that may cause some to be more susceptible than others. It would surprise me if this was an issue for home use given that these chips are designed to be used all day every day in a casino and subject to far more wear than they would ever see at home.

For hybrids, the glue is pretty good. I doubt you'll have any issues with them coming off - my only concern would be if you would soak them in a ultrasonic. I have no data to say this is a risk or not, just something I wouldn't do. Personally, I don't think you'll ever need to use an ultrasonic to clean ceramics - since they're smooth they won't collect dirty like clays do.

And for storage, I use Matsui racks. I also use tubes to keep them in starting stacks. You can see both in this pic:
View attachment 362924

Ok. Is there a good source for those racks? @sir bluffs alot had some but he ordered chips from the company.

As for the ASM labels, that’s what I thought until the labels started popping off in the first few months I had them. When I contacted them they said “that’s why we always ship extras”. On a couple denominations I’m down to the last “extra” after 16 plus years. After the first few months I’d only see a label or two bubble up every year or two. But in the very beginning about 10-15 chips had the labels bubble up and/or pop off in a short span of time.

 

[allforcharity]

My blackjack ceramic set was made by OWPS on blanks that I'm sure were supplied by ABC. The quality of the printing and durability of the chips are amazing! They also sound awesome with a very satisfying 'clink' sound. TONS better than CC, imho.

 

[Darson]

Ok. Is there a good source for those racks? @sir bluffs alot had some but he ordered chips from the company.

As for the ASM labels, that’s what I thought until the labels started popping off in the first few months I had them. When I contacted them they said “that’s why we always ship extras”. On a couple denominations I’m down to the last “extra” after 16 plus years. After the first few months I’d only see a label or two bubble up every year or two. But in the very beginning about 10-15 chips had the labels bubble up and/or pop off in a short span of time.

I got my racks with chips also. There are occasionally sales where people are getting rid of some. Alternatively you can buy them direct from Matsui but they're not cheap once shipping is include.

There are also alternatives that fit 43mm, for example: https://pokerchiplounge.com/acrylic-chip-tray-with-lid-for-43mm-size-poker-chips.html

 

[Davism72]

Now that I am finally selling a 1000 chip set of ASM blanks

Did I miss the sale ad or have you not posted yet?

 

[Old State]

Did I miss the sale ad or have you not posted yet?

I had mentioned in a post I was thinking of selling and someone PMd me a while after. I wanted to post them but kept avoiding it thinking I would get them hot-stamped. When someone reached out I just decided it was time.

 

[Davism72]

I had mentioned in a post I was thinking of selling and someone PMd me a while after. I wanted to post them but kept avoiding it thinking I would get them hot-stamped. When someone reached out I just decided it was time.

Any chance they were CSQ 312s?

 

[Old State]

@Davism72. These