[Matthew]

So no pics yet - because the race is on now, Patriots at 4 and Red Sox at 7. Maybe later.

But - I got into the latest Matsui group buy put together by Cidertown ...

http://www.chiptalk.net/forum/group-...group-buy.html

... hoping they would work for my 44mm ASMs. The Matsui racks have these "ribs" in the rows that are most likely there to strengthen the sides of the racks. Since the ASM 44mm chips are a little thicker, they will fit only 19 per row, just like the Chipco 44mm racks. I thought about removing the "ribs" in the rows to see if they will then fit 20 chips.

I took my Dremmel tool with a sand paper drum and ground off the ribs on one side of the rack. The Dremmel worked but it was hard to control and while it removed the material - it looks like crap.

I then took a sharp 1/4" chisel and shaved the ribs off. This actually worked, however tedious it is to remove 40 little ribs per chip rack - 4 per row x 5 rows x 2 halves of the rack.

The Matsui racks now fit 100 ASM 44mm chips. They are 43mm racks so the 2 halves do not completely close tight. They are off by a millimeter (obviously).

Pics to follow, but this is the best storage solution I've found for the 44mm ASMs.

Matthew

[24tex24]

Originally Posted by Matthew

So no pics yet - because the race is on now, Patriots at 4 and Red Sox at 7. Maybe later.

But - I got into the latest Matsui group buy put together by Cidertown ...

http://www.chiptalk.net/forum/group-...group-buy.html

... hoping they would work for my 44mm ASMs. The Matsui racks have these "ribs" in the rows that are most likely there to strengthen the sides of the racks. Since the ASM 44mm chips are a little thicker, they will fit only 19 per row, just like the Chipco 44mm racks. I thought about removing the "ribs" in the rows to see if they will then fit 20 chips.

I took my Dremmel tool with a sand paper drum and ground off the ribs on one side of the rack. The Dremmel worked but it was hard to control and while it removed the material - it looks like crap.

I then took a sharp 1/4" chisel and shaved the ribs off. This actually worked, however tedious it is to remove 40 little ribs per chip rack - 4 per row x 5 rows x 2 halves of the rack.

The Matsui racks now fit 100 ASM 44mm chips. They are 43mm racks so the 2 halves do not completely close tight. They are off by a millimeter (obviously).

Pics to follow, but this is the best storage solution I've found for the 44mm ASMs.

Matthew

I was just at the Home Depot! Now I have to go get a chisel to try this out. Frustrated that only 19 fit in a row and willing to try this out. Thanks for the tip.

[JM]

How about a soldering iron or solder knife to just smooth them off?

[24tex24]

Alright, I just finished trimming the racks and I have a large blister. However, it worked like a charm!

[jldecarlo]

I've been using these as trays for a while now:




Don't stack so well, but work nicely in my cabinet. You can see them next to standard racks.

L

Edit: for this use, I didn't have to modify them at all.