[JT-Bird]

With all the people getting or thinking about custom ASM's I was curious what the breakdown is for mold selection. I assume the horsehead is the most popular, but I really have no sense of what people are leaning towards.

Also, I heard that you can minimize defects depending on the mold that is selected. Which molds maximize quality?

FWIW, I am currently leaning toward the American Mold, seems to be the most "TH&C-Like"

Edit: Poll Added

[bmwguy525]

I hear that the Roman mold is the most defect-prone of the currently available molds. And from what I understand the H-mold allows for a bigger inlay? There has been quite a few H-mold coming out recently, but I don't think it's because the chip quality is better or worse than the others.

[JT-Bird]

Added a poll for this thread

[hachkc]

Originally Posted by bmwguy525

I hear that the Roman mold is the most defect-prone of the currently available molds. And from what I understand the H-mold allows for a bigger inlay? There has been quite a few H-mold coming out recently, but I don't think it's because the chip quality is better or worse than the others.

Don't have any details about the quality by mold selection but the H-Mold is actually offers a smaller inlay than the other molds. The H is 7/8" while some of the others are 1". I think the breakout is as follows:

A-Mold, Roman?, C/S?, Dice/Card are all 1" with 7/8" printable
H-Mold, HH? are all 7/8" with 3/4" printable.

I'm not 100% sure of the ones with a "?".

IMHO, the H-mold is more popular right now because of a few factors: its new, its a classic Casino mold and it has an "H" on it (my reason).

[bmwguy525]

Also the H-mold offers a more subtle look to the chip, since a plain mold (or no mold) is not available.

[viet rounder]

i have all of ASM molds and 2 fulls sets of the Roman and H-mold. The only mold at the moment that offers a 1" inlay is the Roman and "trust me" they do not look good with the 1" inlay. 1" inlays only looks good with chips that are recessed which leads to the "fleur" mold. The fleur mold is recessed and allows a 1-1/16" inlay but is not available at the moment.

The H-mold is currently hot because its new, has a classy look, seems to have very low defection rate, and looks very clean.

[circlencircle]

I gotta be honest here guys; I think this talk of one mold having more defects than another is silly. I don’t doubt that Viet Rounder's Romans have a higher amount of defects than his other chips but I would account this to those particular chips not the mold it self. There is probably some other guy out there who has more than one set and it’s the other way around. More over, ASM has the best QC in the business and what most of you call defects, I think is just the nature of clay chips and not defects at all anyway -- just my two cents, not trying to piss anyone off.

The talk about the inlay size on the H mold is definitely not accurate. I have inlayed chips on both the H mold and HH mold and both inlays are the same size ( 7/8 ). The first circle around the inlay on the A, CS, HH, and CD mold is all the same size (1"). Ok, ok for those of you with your micrometers ready it is slightly different but it’s LESS than a 1/6th of an inch variation. The H and Roman molds don’t have the circle it just goes right into the H mold area but its still 1" so they all basically have the exact same amount of area for an inlay. I can’t speak of the Fleur.

cnc

[Brent]

Yay, it's time for another ASM mold poll.

I recently received samples from ASM, but unfortunately there was no H-mold chip in there. Out of all the other molds though I really like the look and feel of the Horsehead mold. I need to get a sample of the H-mold now! Arrrgh...

The most important advice is to always get samples before you order, because you'll never really know until you see and handle them in person.

[viet rounder]

Originally Posted by circlencircle

I gotta be honest here guys; I think this talk of one mold having more defects than another is silly. I don’t doubt that Viet Rounder's Romans have a higher amount of defects than his other chips but I would account this to those particular chips not the mold it self. There is probably some other guy out there who has more than one set and it’s the other way around. More over, ASM has the best QC in the business and what most of you call defects, I think is just the nature of clay chips and not defects at all anyway -- just my two cents, not trying to piss anyone off.

The talk about the inlay size on the H mold is definitely not accurate. I have inlayed chips on both the H mold and HH mold and both inlays are the same size ( 7/8 ). The first circle around the inlay on the A, CS, HH, and CD mold is all the same size (1"). Ok, ok for those of you with your micrometers ready it is slightly different but it’s LESS than a 1/6th of an inch variation. The H and Roman molds don’t have the circle it just goes right into the H mold area but its still 1" so they all basically have the exact same amount of area for an inlay. I can’t speak of the Fleur.

cnc

First, regarding the defects on the Roman. Yes i agree it sounds silly, but i have been on this board for quite some time and i have heard many bad experience surrounding the this particular mold. I have not heard any members having bad experience with anyother molds. THe truth, we will never know. I only base my opinions on my own experience and the similarity others have shared.

Second, the Roman surface is cleary bigger than the others by a notable amount and as stated by PC - its the only mold at the moment that offers a 1" inlay because of this

[JM]

Actually I think ASM or maybe Jim has said the roman mold does in fact experience more defects than others. You'd have to search for it but I'm pretty sure I remember reading this.