Thread: Grrr-ripper

Guard - no.

Existing Splitter - a qualified yes.

It depends upon the design of the splitter / blade guard support. Some table saw designs don't permit adjusting the combined blade guard support splitter low enough to allow the "blade tunnel" on the GRR-Ripper to clear the splitter on most work pieces. If you have issues with dado style cuts on your table saw then you will most likely have issues with the GRR-Ripper. Check your tablesaw to see if the mounting bolts for the splitter allow you to drop the height of the splitter and still maintain a safe clearance between the splitter and blade. If not, you will have to get a splitter made to suit or purchase an aftermarket splitter kit. Do not use the GRR-Ripper with out the splitter installed!

Some handy tips -

• always use a high fence as a support & guide so that the whole body of the GRRR-Ripper is supported against the fence.
• use the additional "balance support" to stabilize the GRR-Ripper on narrow boards. (prevents toppling or tilting the body into the saw blade.
• always check clearance between the blade and the parts of the GRR-Ripper with the saw stopped for each setup.
• make a rip sled with toggle clamp hold downs for ripping short stock - don't be tempted to use the GRR-Ripper.
  
  Remember a table saw kickback happens so fast that you do not have time to react and a machine almost always wins out in a "contest" with human strength.
  

Like all tools - the GRR-Ripper is safe to use when following the recommended safe operating procedures and within its limitations, certainly much safer than many of the shop made push blocks in use.

https://www.microjig.com/products/grr-ripper

Originally Posted by justonething

But is there a way to use it with the guard and the splitter on?

I assume your guard and splitter are connected?
If so you would have to decouple the guard and the splitter.

Then Fit a replacement independent splitter. If your splitter doesn't rise and fall with the blade then you could use one of those micro splitters that stand only a few mm tall. The are not as safe as a full blade height height splitter but they will still reduce the risk of kick back.

Remake/replace the guard with an independent OH guard (look in the dust forum for ideas).

Interesting to see that the Carbatech website shows images of the Gripper in use with no splitter in place.

I have several types of gripper but I rarely need to use them because my TS OH guard provides some downward pressure on the work piece anyway so I just use the mitre slide or push sticks to drive timber past the blade.

FWIW I took the splitter off my TS back in 2007 and I should put it back some time. Otherwise I do advocate use of splitters especially at places like the mens shed.