For my mod Drawers & Bits I'd like to implement an enhanced drawer controller. If possible I'd very much like to not have to reinvent the wheel, so would it be possible to open up some of the methods and variables from private to protected in the TileEntityController class so I can subclass it without unnecessary code duplication?

If you are amenable I'll see what I need and PR the changes.

Cool mod. I'll be sure to check it out when I finally get around to playing with 1.10 and Chisels & Bits.

Sure, the controller TE can be reworked to be more amenable to extension. Go ahead and submit a PR and I'll review it and maybe discuss some of those changes.

Sorry, it took me a while. I don't actually need a lot of changes, here's what I believe is sufficient:
Belgabor@3441174

I think this is okay, but there is a chance the internal workings of the controller will change. I'll try to mention in advance if it happens.

Go ahead and create the PR

That would be great.
I am aware of the danger and I warned people that my mod might break on your updates =)

Oh, do you want me to PR the changes or will you copy them into your code directly?

Oh yeah, this is in the latest release.