In my experience, it’s not getting hot enough, and with snug pressure on the clamp, it’s not enough to alter the shape of the chip....just the warp.
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Flattening chips - question (4 Viewers)
- Thread starter Goldfish
- Start date
It’s interesting that you’re clamping first, then softening the chip with heat. In my version, I heat the chips for 10 minutes, then clamp up. It is however a little race to get it all squared up and clamped before you lose too much heat. Whatever works!
Glad to hear it’s all good.
OP
OP
Not a problem so far!
OP
OP
So u only heat the chips for 10 minutes?
ekricket
Royal Flush
I use the old dryer and cat method.
Yep, laid out in one level, 10 at a time.
Fold the other side of the pad over, 10 minutes is plenty time to heat through. Two barrels clamped up in 40 minutes with one pad. Multiple pads would be a flattening factory!
I've always clamped and then heated, squeezing tighter and they begin to heat as to not put crazy pressure on them while cold.
OP
OP
Wow. That would be faster for sure.
I will also rest the 11 ceramic spacers, spread out on top of the folded pad while the chips are heating. That way, the ceramics are also semi-heated and ready to be clamped when the clays are done.
The hardest part is lining up the chips. I’ve been tempted to make a “V” out of wood where I could stack the chips and spacers into a barrel shape and drop them down into the V to make them all align in one shot.
The hardest part is lining up the chips. I’ve been tempted to make a “V” out of wood where I could stack the chips and spacers into a barrel shape and drop them down into the V to make them all align in one shot.
OP
OP
What about the chip holder/stacker from 3D printing?
I used what I call the “table” method. I had 4 racks of HSI 1A’s that needed flattening. I stacked 1 rack vertically for each of the legs of the table. Then a piece of wood for the table top and something for some weight on the top (a gallon of paint). I wrapped the heating pad around each leg one at a time, using small spring clamps to hold the pad closed. Left the pad on medium for 30-40 minuets, then moved it to the next leg. The set up looked something like this.
At first, I didn't think the chips really needed flattening. Once I tried to stack them 100 high, I realized how out of flat they really were, the stack wobbled like crazy!! I didn’t take any measurements (before or after) but after letting the table sit for a few days after the heating regiment, the stacks were much more stable. I think I could have used high heat if desired. I may try that the next time.
At first, I didn't think the chips really needed flattening. Once I tried to stack them 100 high, I realized how out of flat they really were, the stack wobbled like crazy!! I didn’t take any measurements (before or after) but after letting the table sit for a few days after the heating regiment, the stacks were much more stable. I think I could have used high heat if desired. I may try that the next time.
I think that probably would be the best/easiest solution.
OP
OP
That is awesome. Haha. I continue to be amazed by the creativity of the members here.
OP
OP
Cranking them out now ..... 2 heating pads up and running.....
This is what I do, I get the chips ready to go into the oven, then set the oven to lowest temp 170 degrees. I put the chips in the cold oven and leave them there for 20 min as the oven heats up. This has worked for me with ASM chips and Paulsons.
FYI this is also the best way to bake a salmon fillet 400 degrees 25 minutes.
Do the chips ever end up with a salmon smell? ..or does the salmon ever smell like chips?
What’s the heating pad you used? / @Colquhoun
Last edited:
fish-n chips!!
FordPickup92
Royal Flush
OP
OP
I will send u a pic with info when I get home.
FordPickup92
Royal Flush
Yeah cheap shitty lots on eBay lol
Ive been doing it with DDLMs with no ill effects to the ceramics or the Paulsons. No color bleed either way.
However, YMMV.
FordPickup92
Royal Flush
Yeah we use cheap colored ceramics that come in mixed lots from eBay, no issues from color or shape alterations
its an off brand, likely got it at Target or CVS years ago
ceramicmike
Flush
Message Gene and tell him what your doing and he’ll hook you up
Ben8257
Royal Flush
These were pretty badly warped this morning. Some had to go 2 or 3 times today... still working on the last batch but very happy with how they came out!!
Probably try the heating pad someday but oven and a clamp still works for me!
Probably try the heating pad someday but oven and a clamp still works for me!
Ben8257
Royal Flush
I think I have broke 3 ceramics in the past year plus of clamping chips, but 2 were old worn out cruise casino chips, faded out and pretty rounded... i guess eventually against a really warped chip it can happen. But for the most part absolutely no damage on the ceramics and never any color transfer.
Okay cool, I’ll just use the random ceramics I have then and call it good. Do y’all soak your chips in warm water first to soften them? I don’t know but I feel like I heard people do this
Ben8257
Royal Flush
Nope they go in dry! Lol
I have no idea maybe that would help but I wouldn't want moisture pressed between to hard surfaces trying to escape under heat. Dry works fine, I would go with that!
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