Thread: Micro Jig splitter: advice please

Originally Posted by Auld Bassoon

Hi Ffolks,

Some time back I bought a (singular!) GRripper; at the same time I also bought one of MicroJig's wee little splitters.

Whilst I know that it's supposed to be used with a zero clearance insert, I'm wondering what experiences other folk have had with this tiny sliver of plastic?

For myself, I'm not too keen on using the GRripper without the guard on the T/S. For that matter, I don't think using the T/S without a guard is at all desirable...

Ideas anyone?

Cheers!

The whole point of the Grr-ripper is to allow removal of the blade guard and still be safe. Have you got the Grr-ripper DVD ?

I don't have the splitter so can't comment but there was a recent thread showing some Sturdee home made ones which looked fine.

At the recent Brisbane working with wood show, Northwood tools arranged to do demonstrations of the Microjig Gripper on a table saw on the DYCO stand. It was a nice little combination table, nifty.

Anyway, before the show opens, the workplace health and safety people go around checking all displays to ensure all demonstrations comply with their stringent safety requirements. When they arrived at the Dyco stand and saw a table set up without the blade guard, you can imagine they flipped out.

One simple demonstration where the Northwood demonstrator shows how the gripper protects the operator, and his challenge to any of the Workplace Health & Saftey officers to find a way to hurt themselves using the Gripper and all was calm again. Both of them tried it and said they felt it was safer for the stated use than any other method they had seen.

Indeed, it was the only display EVER at a show they had checked knowingly operated without a blade guard that was sofficially sanctioned by Workplace Health and Safety.

I think that plus the record of the Gripper (No serious injuries in over 3 years on the market) says it all.

I must add however when I use a gripper I also cringe at that blade turning at high speed without a guard, and still treat it with the utmost respect. I still get a queesy feeling so I can fully understand Steve B concerns

A new feature (due soon) will couple with the new handle to put a guard on the rear of the Gripper to protect the underarm by deflecting flying chips coming off and up from the rear of the blade off the wood, the only noted area where injury can occur.

Hope that helps

Ingrid H

Hi Ingrid,


Thanks for that.

I guess that I'll have to gird myself, make a ZCI or two, and give it a whizz.

I must say that there's been many a time I've looked at a piece of stock, figured out what I want to trim off, given the T/S a brief glance, then wandered off to the B/S, even knowing that the cut will be relatively rough, and that I'll have a bit more finishing work to do.

By the way, any joy on your search for a F/B router?

Cheers!

Hi Steve,

I spoke with your mate Colin at Northwood Tools today, he has been following a number of the threads here and finds the varying opinions interesting, if somewhat confusing ! ! Mere male I guess !

NO, I have had no luck yet, and unless someone pulls a rabbit out of the hat, suspect I won't.

Bench Dog, who I approached earlier are working on a plunge router retrofit, might have to wait for that.

Enjoy

Ingrid H

Been using the GRR-Ripper and MicroJig Splitter for many motnhs now. The splitter works great, easy to install and remove. Only downside is if you need to cut at bevel angles... the MJ splitter is fixed at 0 degrees (or 90 degrees if you prefer to call it that, to the table).

Well worth the $$ if you have or are getting the GRR-Ripper system.