Heavy Duty birdcage (1 Viewer)

[T_Chan]

I've had probly about 8 birdcages, many of them different build quality. Only 1 of them whole set was made of good quality materials and I have no idea where I got it.

Out of all of the birdcages I own or have owned, I've broken 4 of them. Not a great track record. So, I am going to make my own. I'm putting together some quotes from different fabricators to build a heavy duty birdcage. The big question for those who are interested to buy them if I make more than just enough for myself:

Should the handle and base be made of a thick gauge, heavy duty acrylic that is adhered and screwed to the base, or

The entire handle and base should be made out of metal?

I saw photos of the metal version a while back but cannot dig up any photos of it. It was a custom job by someone on this forum and the old blue forum I believe.

I could also probably get custom engraving done as well.

Feedback is welcome.

 

[MegaTon44]

Thanks so much for raising the issue. I too have broken a few birdcages. However, my issue has never been with the base or handle, rather the cheap ass acrylic top which cracks when bumped at all. I'd rather have a heavy duty polycarbonate birdcage instead of shitty acrylic. Metal would be cool, but I'd worry about production cost.

 

[Forty4]

Any chance of getting them made to accept 44 mm chip racks? Just need to be a little longer.

 

[Mr. Cheese]

Thanks so much for raising the issue. I too have broken a few birdcages. However, my issue has never been with the base or handle, rather the cheap ass acrylic top which cracks when bumped at all. I'd rather have a heavy duty polycarbonate birdcage instead of shitty acrylic. Metal would be cool, but I'd worry about production cost.

What Dan said! Also with a metal base I'd be concerned about it scratching whatever you set it on (counter, shelf etc) or snagging a cloth if set on our poker tables.

 

[BGinGA]

I have a casino-grade carrier that can accommodate both longer 43mm and higher 50mm racks. It is made of much thicker plastic than the carriers sold to the public.

I have seen commercial aluminum carriers in the past (base/post/handle) which had rubber feet to protect surfaces. Also remember the one from CT, but not any details, unfortunately.

 

[BGinGA]

For reference, here's a pretty solid four-screw model with locking top option on alibaba for $10 each (50 unit minimum order). Group buy?

 

[T_Chan]

I've already decided to make the cover a thicker acrylic to avoid it breaking/chipping since I've had a few of those as well.

If metal, I was going to add felt pads to the bottom side and ensure all corners are smoothed.

 

[toad94]

It was B.C. on CT with the aluminum birdcage base & handle. The thread is here: http://www.chiptalk.net/forum/threads/custom-pron-but-not-chips.74704/#post-1077269

The pics have been "image-shacked" but I had one saved from back in the day:

Very cool looking!

Maybe @B.C. still has them and can provide more info/pics?

 

[btbmason]

I voted for acrylic, but honestly I'd be thrilled with either as long as they are sturdier than the current options.

Thanks for taking this on!

 

[Pokerdweebz]

Watching with interest. Either is fine, but metal seems really cool barring outrageous costs.

 

[JTBass]

I second the 43-44mm option. I also likes Dave's Group Buy....would be down for a few of those.

 

[Poker Zombie]

Cost would be a determining factor with materials. At any rate I need more cages, so I will be following with interest, be it BG's AliBaba or a cage that meets TChan quality standards. (y) :thumbsup:

 

[TheBigTater]

I believe if you can come up with a one piece handle/base construction that would cure the weak breaking point problem where they are attached (2or3 screws, etc...), then use a thicker acrylic cover, you would have a winner as long as the cost was reasonable.

I remember seeing these one time at a Tunica casino and they popped up again in a discussion I think over at CT so I bookmarked the site. Very pricey but come with a limited guarantee against breakage.

http://www.plastico-memphis.com/casino2.html

 

[atomiktoaster]

For reference, here's a pretty solid four-screw model with locking top option on alibaba for $10 each (50 unit minimum order). Group buy?

Are those 600 ct? I'd probably buy two at that price.

Concerning Tony's question, I'm leaning toward the metal option. Toad's pic looks great. The aluminum should probably be anodized though. Should help with the scratches.

 

[Dr Lecterr]

subscribed and interested

 

[Mr. Cheese]

Hmm what about heavy duty acrylic base and outside but with metal reinforced edges spanning across the top and down the side edges?

 

[T_Chan]

I spoke with my acrylic fabricator and apparently they've made these before for casinos, so they're familiar with the build. When I sent them photos, they asked "what with the black pieces on the corners?". I assume, since I'm no birdcage expert, it's for extra support so that the seams don't break apart. They said the casino models they made didn't have them and if it would be fine to leave them out since they just add to the cost.

Makes sense to me to omit them as long as the bond is strong around the corners and the edges are rounded over.

 

[Mr. Cheese]

I spoke with my acrylic fabricator and apparently they've made these before for casinos, so they're familiar with the build. When I sent them photos, they asked "what with the black pieces on the corners?". I assume, since I'm no birdcage expert, it's for extra support so that the seams don't break apart. They said the casino models they made didn't have them and if it would be fine to leave them out since they just add to the cost.

Makes sense to me to omit them as long as the bond is strong around the corners and the edges are rounded over.

Those black rubbery plastic pieces on the edges I think are supposed to help keep the case together but also protect it from shattering if you accidentally bump a corner into something sharp. What would having those on there add for cost? I'm guessing like $1 or something.

 

[T_Chan]

If the quotes come in at a decent price, I'm also going to explore getting different sizes, probly 300 capacity to 1200 capacity.

I have a set of 1200 roulettes that I would like to carry around in a birdcage but they just won't fit, the carrier is about 3/4" too short.

 

[T_Chan]

Those black rubbery plastic pieces on the edges I think are supposed to help keep the case together but also protect it from shattering if you accidentally bump a corner into something sharp. What would having those on there add for cost? I'm guessing like $1 or something.

Rubbery? I always thought they're acrylic as well, same material as the base.

 

[moose]

I think you need the corner pieces. If you dump a carrier on the side, the weight of the chips would easily smash a side panel off.

If @BGinGA starts a group buy, would be in for two.

 

[Mental Nomad]

I think the edge guards serve two purposes:

1. They keep the face from getting scratched if you put it on a bare floor with sand, or on a table with some grit. I can see this happening a lot at a home game when someone pulls the top, but this wouldn't happen in a casino.
2. It hides the glue work and the seam; if you're doing cheap/sloppy glue work on ill-fitting pieces, the black edge piece hides a multitude of sins. (Much like moldings in woodworking.)

If the work is being done well to begin with, and being done with quality materials, the edge piece should be unnecessary. (For example, if they solvent weld the joint, instead of using a glue, it will be much stronger.)

If it were polycarbonate, it would be more susceptible to scratching... but acrylic holds up better. Sadly, it's also weaker than polycarbonate, so it needs to be made thicker to be strong enough, but a good fabricator knows how to engineer it.

One out of two cheap acrylic carriers I've bought arrived cracked on the face in shipping. The acrylic they use is just too thin.

 

[Josh_LF]

I'd be interested in 2-3. Preferably 10-rack birdcages wide enough for 43-mm chips!

 

[Frank]

I'd pay a premium ($100-$200?) for one if it were good for traveling with in a car. As for cheaper but better than others (alibaba, or a cheaper homemade one) I could probably get a couple of those too. Then I'd just need some racks!

 

[T_Chan]

First quote came in and a whopping $108 for just the cover. That's with thicker gauge acrylic with polished rounded edges.

Nearly $200 for the same with a thick base plus handle.

 

[SixSpeedFury]

I'd be interested in 2-3. Preferably 10-rack birdcages wide enough for 43-mm chips!

2nded this. The need for 43mm birdcages is now apparent.

 

[Blaster]

First quote came in and a whopping $108 for just the cover. That's with thicker gauge acrylic with polished rounded edges.

Nearly $200 for the same with a thick base plus handle.

Here's a bank/casino supply site that has a selection of Heavy Duty birdcages, poly-carbonate & fit both 44mm and 39mm ( over $100 ea) .. ..:
https://banksupplies.com/chip-carriers

 

[acl1904]

Casino grade and guaranteed unbreakable...a bit pricey though but much more affordable if buying 6 or more units.

http://www.plastico-memphis.com/casino2.html

 

[jazzV3]

Here's a bank/casino supply site that has a selection of Heavy Duty birdcages, poly-carbonate & fit both 44mm and 39mm ( over $100 ea) .. ..:
https://banksupplies.com/chip-carriers

I have four of the 10 tray carriers from Bank Supply - Very sturdy and well made with Polycarbonate material.
No screws in the bottom. Very happy with the purchase.

From their web site:
We spent the time with casino staff to develop a product that will last and protect your investment.
There are no metal fasteners used in this design. The two adhesive edges are fused resulting in a strong uni-body structure.

 

[Mr. Cheese]

I just received two heavy duty acrylic birdcages and maybe if the big concern is the base just designing a base to use with existing tops might be worthwhile?

My tops are about 1/4 inch thick and look really nice.