DIY Chip Case/Storage Brainstorming (10 Viewers)

[Ahven]

Hi PCF,

I'm fairly new to this forum, mostly been lurking. Most of my questions has been answered by reading older threads.

But unfortunately the DIY chip case topic seems to be a topic that isn't discussed too much.

Therefore I'm starting this thread. With hopes of getting better ideas, some help in brainstorming my process, and maybe some guidance on what steps that is optimal to follow when creating a DIY chip case.

So that's the introduction, now to the questions!

My plan is to DIY a chip case. Most definitely in wood, with a modular 'rack', which is also lined in probably velvet or velveteen.

The reason I want the rack to be modular is because it's easier down the road if I'd like to do any modifications. But here I'm open to other suggestions.

What it the optimal thought process?
- Drawings, CAD?

Is it anything about the measurements that I should think about, for i.e. 39mm chips, should the racks be 40, or 39,5mm, or maybe even 39?

What type of wood should I use, does it matter more than my personal opinion on what looks best?
Options I've looked at:
- Mahogany
- Oak
- Walnut

What type of lining should is optimal on the inside of the box?
- Velvet
- Velveteen
- Faux suede
- No lining

My plan is to make a case that fits 1000 chips, but I'm all for making multiple boxes as well. I'm thinking about doing the racks horizontal (4x250). Are there any downsides with that?

Tl;dr:
Making a chip case for 1000 chips, any ideas?

 

[chippitydoodah]

For 250 chip in a row by 4 rows the case will be 3' Long x 6" Wide.

 

[chippitydoodah]

https://a.co/d/b2LgSVR

On my way to poker night

 

[Ahven]

https://a.co/d/b2LgSVR

View attachment 1458441

On my way to poker night

View attachment 1458442

Thanks!

Using something like that as a base would be quite cool.

But unfortunately I'd at least like to try to go the DIY way first, and if that doesn't work I'll probably buy something like that. Or a gun case.

 

[Taghkanic]

As someone who runs a cash game, I want a case that doesn’t just store my chips, but actually makes running the game easier.

I customized an Apache case from Harbor Freight to accomplish this, but if building one, I would consider:

1) Space to hold two card setups;​

​

2) Two bill-sized cash areas, one for incoming buyins (before delivering chips) and the other for the bank;​

​

3) Spare room for unexpected extras, such as game cubes, etc.​

​

4) Space either to include racks in the case, or else custom inserts which organize chips into barrels.​

The last one is key for me. When I am hosting, having chips already separated into barrels makes everything *much* easier.

When somebody buys in or rebuys, I want to be able to grab the exact amount quickly. Long rows of chips slow things down and make it harder to spot any irregularities.

One could use spacers instead, but it is so much nicer to let the racks tell you whether each barrel really has 20 chips.

 

[Ahven]

As someone who runs a cash game, I want a case that doesn’t just store my chips, but actually makes running the game easier.

I customized an Apache case from Harbor Freight to accomplish this, but if building one, I would consider:

1) Space to hold two card setups;​

​

2) Two bill-sized cash areas, one for incoming buyins (before delivering chips) and the other for the bank;​

​

3) Spare room for unexpected extras, such as game cubes, etc.​

​

4) Space either to include racks in the case, or else custom inserts which organize chips into barrels.​

The last one is key for me. When I am hosting, having chips already separated into barrels makes everything *much* easier.

When somebody buys in or rebuys, I want to be able to grab the exact amount quickly. Long rows of chips slow things down and make it harder to spot any irregularities.

One could use spacers instead, but it is so much nicer to let the racks tell you whether each barrel really has 20 chips.

Thanks for the answer!

I will definitely have spacers in between the rows. But I did not plan to have anything other than chips in the case.

I will reconsider and think out exactly what I need in the case itself other than chips.

One idea would be to split it out in a horizontal - vertical - horizontal rack. To be able to have a vertical space for buy-ins.

So the split would look something like:

Horizontal - 125 x 4
Vertical - 20 x 4-5
Horizontal - 125 x 4

And maybe storage for cards as well. Could probably do something there with the lid. Need to think about that.