Thread: Grr-Ripper in action - a preliminary report.

You can't use a blade guard with the GRR-Ripper as by it's design and use the whole lot runs over the blade when cutting timber - you have to see it in action to appreciate how it does work and how well it does it too.

Just have to be careful as you would be even with a guard attached and take all the necessary precautions etc.

Originally Posted by bitingmidge

Does that mean I won't be able to get my half-built guard/dust extraction pickup to work if I use Grripers? :eek: :eek:

Or do I just set it high enough to get my hand underneath, contradicting the guard's purpose?

P

There's a good video on the MicroJig site. Check it out.

and even though you do have to take the blade guard off

Does that mean I won't be able to get my half-built guard/dust extraction pickup to work if I use Grrippers? :eek: :eek:

Or do I just set it high enough to get my hand underneath, contradicting the guard's purpose?

P

I guess you have to account for the fact that retailers do have to pay GST on large bulk orders when it arrives in Australia and that inevitably gets added to the retail price here

Just thought I would update this thread.

Have been giving my 2 GRR-Rippers a good work out over the past 2 weeks and cannot speak highly enough of them.
They are fantastic and easy to use and are much safer than you 1st think. Even though to use them you need to remove the guard over the saw blade as long as you take care and observe all your safety precautions then there is no problem with using them - I now am cutting my workpieces with confidence whereas in the early stages I was very cautious and wary.
I also have the MJ Splitter installed on my Zero Clearance throat plate and it also works a treat.

I have also used the 2 Grr-Rippers to push workpieces on the planer and they are also fantastic to use on there and make the planing task very easy.
I have had to cut a whole heap (60 in total) of 'thinnish' strips on the table saw and this is where they have come into their own.
I have attached a pic of the width I have had to cut and by using the Grr-Rippers its been a breeze - if I had to use the old push sticks, feather boards etc even though I would've been able to get some rather thin pieces, I doubt I would've been able to achieve the cuts so easily. Plus it is now a real breeze to be able to slice smallish pieces from rather thin stock whereas it would've been a lot harder to do it without the Grr-Rippers.
In the pic the thicker piece is 11mm wide and the thin one is 4mm and I had no problems cutting both widths.

(I am in no way associated with the Grr-Ripper or Micro-Jig just one very happy customer.)

Big Pete

Thanks for the update, is it really necessary to have two?
THose out there who only have one, do you wish that you had another one for the other hand?

Paul

Paul,
No not really necessary to have 2 but when working with longer stock (anything from about 900mm or longer) it is better to have 2 of them and you use the hand over hand method of pushing the stock through. A bit weird to get used to at 1st but once you get the hang of it, it is really easy.
Makes it heaps easier using 2 of them instead of one.

Mine is Grrrr...eat but there are times when I wish I had 2. I feel another purchase coming on

Thanks Gumby & Pete,
From looking at the video I guessed that two will probably be the way to go
Paul

I put my vote in for two.
I was ripping up some dense 2" thick, 1.5m long hardwood last weekend and the leapfrogging technique with 2 GRR-Rippers worked a treat.

As a matter of interest
!. What is the shortest length of timber you can rip
2 " " " Thinnest " " " "

Bob,
From watching the DVD I'd say you could rip material as short as required and also providing you can get a grip on the workpiece as virtually as thin as required.
You can actually use the rubbing gripping feet in a sacrificial mode so the saw blade actually cuts through the rubber gripping material as well as the stock.
They show a guy cutting very thin veneer materials to make inlays for boxes and chess boards etc. and some of these are very fine.
You need to see the DVD to understand the full potential of the unit.

I am contemplating adding a couple of GRR-Rippers to my LeeValley clamp order (they'll work out a bit competitive with the one ton of freight rate coming up!) but.....

Can all those who bought them last year give a bit of an update please?

Do you still use them, or are they like the K-Tel Ab-buster that you had to buy and left under the bed after day two??

I ask as someone who had a strange feeling in his thumb on Australia Day: the feeling of a thumb being pinched between a bit of wood and the jointer guard!!! Near miss I reckon. :eek: :eek:

Cheers,

P

Midge,
I am still using mine - matter of fact use it all the time - and still reckon they are one of the best things I have bought for use in my shed.
I still am cautious using them and try to be alert all the time with safety etc but would not be without one now that's for sure.
I'm glad I bought 2 and not just one and I can not recommend them highly enough.