SJ

"Sam"

14/04/2005 10:08 PM

Grr-gripper question

I was thinking of buying one from Amazon, but can't decide which one to get.
Do you recommend the basic model for $49.99 or the other one for 69.99. I
hate to jar loose of the extra 20 bucks, but wonder if I should bite the
bullet and get the advanced model. I am not an advanced woodworker and don't
know what the advanced model would buy me. Thanks for your help.



This topic has 58 replies

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Andy Dingley

in reply to "Sam" on 14/04/2005 10:08 PM

15/04/2005 12:02 AM

On Thu, 14 Apr 2005 22:08:30 GMT, "Sam" <[email protected]> wrote:

>Do you recommend the basic model for $49.99 or the other one for 69.99.

I didn't spend that much on my cat, let alone my push stick.

Sk

"Swingman"

in reply to "Sam" on 14/04/2005 10:08 PM

16/04/2005 2:03 PM


"Upscale" wrote in message
> "Swingman" wrote in message
> >
> > Think about it for a minute with the idea that, with the blade at its
> > highest setting, the front teeth are now biting into the wood at an
> > increased angle (almost straight down toward the table if the board is
> thin
> > enough), thereby creating downward pressure (toward the table) on the
> board
> > where the teeth are doing the cutting
>
> You're forgetting one thing though. With the blade raised to it's maximum
> height, there's more blade in the meat of the wood increasing the chances
of
> the wood pinching the blade and being hurled in a kickback. Of course, a
> splitter is supposed to protect against that, but a splitter is not
> infallible against this type of action. While you're probably right about
> the front teeth coming down on the wood pressing it into the table, the
> reverse is true on the back teeth coming up to the wood increasing the
> chances that it's going to raise the rear section of the wood setting up a
> kickback scenario.

First off, I am not particularly an advocate of ultra high blades, I really
don't care to argue any of the points, I was just trying to answer the
question as to why some folks feel the way they do, and I haven't forgotten
anything (well, that ain't exactly true cuz I am so damn tired of working 8
days a week here lately that I can't remember my own name half the time).

But do go out to the shop and see if you can't feel the difference between a
high and low blade, particularly when first starting the cut.

All my life I have noticed the tendency of a board to "ride up" if the blade
is low when ripping, and that tendency disappears with the blade set up
high.

Hell, maybe I've just been dreaming that my touch with the saw has been good
enough to "feel" that..

--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 4/14/05


Bb

"BillyBob"

in reply to "Sam" on 14/04/2005 10:08 PM

15/04/2005 2:52 AM


"Hax Planx" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...


> Or if you really like it, you could make a copy out of wood. Now that
> I've seen it, I think I will make a copy.

You'll lose a lot of little nuances in functionality in a wood copy. You
really can't appreciate them just by looking at a picture.

Bob

Bj

"Bigpole"

in reply to "Sam" on 14/04/2005 10:08 PM

14/04/2005 3:26 PM

Sam,
You can buy the basic model now and buy the update kit later if you
think you will need it after using the basic model.
Ted
Sam wrote:
> I was thinking of buying one from Amazon, but can't decide which one
to get.
> Do you recommend the basic model for $49.99 or the other one for
69.99. I
> hate to jar loose of the extra 20 bucks, but wonder if I should bite
the
> bullet and get the advanced model. I am not an advanced woodworker
and don't
> know what the advanced model would buy me. Thanks for your help.

Kk

"Knotbob"

in reply to "Sam" on 14/04/2005 10:08 PM

14/04/2005 5:06 PM

You won't regret using either one. I use my high dollar one for
everything and don't use any of my old stand by sticks, etc.
And your fingers will probably all stay attached too!
Robert Smith
Jacksonville, Fl.


Sam wrote:
> I was thinking of buying one from Amazon, but can't decide which one
to get.
> Do you recommend the basic model for $49.99 or the other one for
69.99. I
> hate to jar loose of the extra 20 bucks, but wonder if I should bite
the
> bullet and get the advanced model. I am not an advanced woodworker
and don't
> know what the advanced model would buy me. Thanks for your help.

a

in reply to "Sam" on 14/04/2005 10:08 PM

14/04/2005 6:38 PM

Read the orginal post...answer the man's question....he did not ask if
you were to damn tight to spend a buck....he asked if he needed the
advanced model..So if you do not own one , do not post ..It drives me
crazy that someone would put a product down that has never used one let
alone have enough intellligence to want to use one. Why do you have to
be so damn negative against a great idea? If you choose not to buy
one, so keep quite about it.

a

in reply to "Sam" on 14/04/2005 10:08 PM

14/04/2005 8:33 PM

Well said Wodcrafter!!! I challenge Andy or anyone to cut 50 pieces
of black ebony 1/4" x 1/4" x 3" long and at the price of ebony ....do
not waste anymore material than the saw kerf....I find the Gripper to
work very at this...better than any home made push stick I would want
to take the time to build. The Gripper is well made and is a terrific
help here at my School. I highly recommend the Gripper for anyone with
a tablesaw or router table. Well worth the investment....my fingers
and hands are well worth the price of a Gripper.
Mike from American Sycamore

a

in reply to "Sam" on 14/04/2005 10:08 PM

14/04/2005 8:33 PM

Well said Wodcrafter!!! I challenge Andy or anyone to cut 50 pieces
of black ebony 1/4" x 1/4" x 3" long and at the price of ebony ....do
not waste anymore material than the saw kerf....I find the Gripper to
work very at this...better than any home made push stick I would want
to take the time to build. The Gripper is well made and is a terrific
help here at my School. I highly recommend the Gripper for anyone with
a tablesaw or router table. Well worth the investment....my fingers
and hands are well worth the price of a Gripper.
Mike from American Sycamore

a

in reply to "Sam" on 14/04/2005 10:08 PM

14/04/2005 8:34 PM

Well said Wodcrafter!!! I challenge Andy or anyone to cut 50 pieces
of black ebony 1/4" x 1/4" x 3" long and at the price of ebony ....do
not waste anymore material than the saw kerf....I find the Gripper to
work very at this...better than any home made push stick I would want
to take the time to build. The Gripper is well made and is a terrific
help here at my School. I highly recommend the Gripper for anyone with
a tablesaw or router table. Well worth the investment....my fingers
and hands are well worth the price of a Gripper.
Mike from American Sycamore

a

in reply to "Sam" on 14/04/2005 10:08 PM

14/04/2005 8:34 PM

Well said Wodcrafter!!! I challenge Andy or anyone to cut 50 pieces
of black ebony 1/4" x 1/4" x 3" long and at the price of ebony ....do
not waste anymore material than the saw kerf....I find the Gripper to
work very at this...better than any home made push stick I would want
to take the time to build. The Gripper is well made and is a terrific
help here at my School. I highly recommend the Gripper for anyone with
a tablesaw or router table. Well worth the investment....my fingers
and hands are well worth the price of a Gripper.
Mike from American Sycamore

a

in reply to "Sam" on 14/04/2005 10:08 PM

15/04/2005 7:36 AM

sorry for the multi-post....some reason my computer was real slow and I
thought it was not posting......second thing....you can lead a horse to
water but you can not make them drink.....stupid is stupid....and some
people can not see the forrest because of the woods.....not going to
change some hard-headed persons mind...so I won't try...I give up!
Don't care if you want to take a chance on cutting all your damn
fingers off, just don't do it in my shop...I won't let you
Mike

Kk

"Knotbob"

in reply to "Sam" on 14/04/2005 10:08 PM

15/04/2005 5:15 PM

You really don't get it.
With the gripper YOU can actually control the workpiece and YOU
can't do that with a long push stick. (and the splitter is
"permanently" installed. You don't reach across the blade to install it
as you're ripping.)
Robert Smith
Andy Dingley wrote:
> On Fri, 15 Apr 2005 11:29:10 +1000, "Woodcrafter" <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
> >Do you actually have one?
>
> Of course not. I've only just seen the picture (prompted by this
> thread) and I don't like the compromise it would force me to make on
> where I run the blade.
>
> >Remmeber that the GRR-Ripper provides a good amount of force down on
the
> >workpiece as well to help stop it rising up on the back of the blade
if it
> >did pinch.
>
> Can _you_ arm-wrestle your saw ? I know I can't.
>
> > Then you have the MJ splitter to further help prevent that.
>
> I've got a riving knife anyway, which also has the advantage I don't
> have to reach past the blade to insert a wedge splitter.
>
> >Also, you can cut into the GRR-Ripper with your saw bladse and it
won't
> >damage the blade.
>
> Nor will my sticks.
>
> >As for blade guards, well its really a moving blade guard. Your
fingers are
> >not in danger.
>
> My fingers simply don't go that close to the blade. Now it has some
> guarding, that's accepted, but it's still never going to be as safe
as
> simply not having your hands there at all.
>
> >cutting narrow stock, than using a traditional push stick and
standard blade
> >guard, which you can't really use easily for narrow cuts anyway.
>
> I use a narrow push stick. If it's a bit too wide, I left it get
> trimmed by the blade.

AD

Andy Dingley

in reply to "Sam" on 14/04/2005 10:08 PM

15/04/2005 2:57 AM

On Fri, 15 Apr 2005 11:29:10 +1000, "Woodcrafter" <[email protected]>
wrote:

>Do you actually have one?

Of course not. I've only just seen the picture (prompted by this
thread) and I don't like the compromise it would force me to make on
where I run the blade.

>Remmeber that the GRR-Ripper provides a good amount of force down on the
>workpiece as well to help stop it rising up on the back of the blade if it
>did pinch.

Can _you_ arm-wrestle your saw ? I know I can't.

> Then you have the MJ splitter to further help prevent that.

I've got a riving knife anyway, which also has the advantage I don't
have to reach past the blade to insert a wedge splitter.

>Also, you can cut into the GRR-Ripper with your saw bladse and it won't
>damage the blade.

Nor will my sticks.

>As for blade guards, well its really a moving blade guard. Your fingers are
>not in danger.

My fingers simply don't go that close to the blade. Now it has some
guarding, that's accepted, but it's still never going to be as safe as
simply not having your hands there at all.

>cutting narrow stock, than using a traditional push stick and standard blade
>guard, which you can't really use easily for narrow cuts anyway.

I use a narrow push stick. If it's a bit too wide, I left it get
trimmed by the blade.

UC

Unquestionably Confused

in reply to "Sam" on 14/04/2005 10:08 PM

15/04/2005 9:54 PM

on 4/15/2005 4:18 PM Hax Planx said the following:
> BillyBob says...
>
>>You'll lose a lot of little nuances in functionality in a wood copy. You
>>really can't appreciate them just by looking at a picture.
>>
>>Bob
>
> I don't doubt they are nice, but somewhere you have to draw the line
> when it comes to tool indulgence.


Why?

<g>



Wx

"Woodcrafter"

in reply to "Sam" on 14/04/2005 10:08 PM

15/04/2005 9:08 AM

> Do you recommend the basic model for $49.99 or the other one for 69.99. I
> hate to jar loose of the extra 20 bucks, but wonder if I should bite the
> bullet and get the advanced model. I am not an advanced woodworker and
don't
> know what the advanced model would buy me. Thanks for your help.

Go the deluxe model. Once you have it, you will use it for a lot of cuts on
the tablesaw and a lot of profile passes on the router table.
See my review for more detailed information:
http://www.onlinetoolreviews.com/reviews/grr-ripper.htm

--
Regards,

Dean Bielanowski
Editor,
Online Tool Reviews
http://www.onlinetoolreviews.com
------------------------------------------------------------
Latest 6 Reviews:
- WoodHaven Biscuit Master
- Veritas Saddle Square
- EZ Smart Guide System
- Ryobi EBS1310VK Belt Sander
- Incra V27 Miter Gauge
- GMC BJ110 Biscuit Joiner
------------------------------------------------------------

Wx

"Woodcrafter"

in reply to "Sam" on 14/04/2005 10:08 PM

15/04/2005 9:10 AM

> >Do you recommend the basic model for $49.99 or the other one for 69.99.
>
> I didn't spend that much on my cat, let alone my push stick.
>

I thought the same until I actually received one. Now I'd pay double the
price because it is a terribly useful and safe 'push stick' :-)
In fact, I picked up a second.


--
Regards,

Dean Bielanowski
Editor,
Online Tool Reviews
http://www.onlinetoolreviews.com
------------------------------------------------------------
Latest 6 Reviews:
- WoodHaven Biscuit Master
- Veritas Saddle Square
- EZ Smart Guide System
- Ryobi EBS1310VK Belt Sander
- Incra V27 Miter Gauge
- GMC BJ110 Biscuit Joiner
------------------------------------------------------------

Wx

"Woodcrafter"

in reply to "Sam" on 14/04/2005 10:08 PM

15/04/2005 11:29 AM

> OK, well I for one hate it and think it's unsafe.
>
> The problem is that it passes _over_ the blade, which requires you to
> do through rips with the blade lowered. I do these with the blade as
> _high_ as possible, because that reduces the horizontal component of
> blade friction against the work, a major contributor to kickback.
> Using the Grr-Ripper would require me to lower my blade, which I'm
> just not prepared to do.
>
> So, back to the "long stick" pushstick for me. I also like the idea
> that a push stick made from scrap can cheerfully be stuck _through_ a
> blade, if that's the best way to use it. I'm never tempted to do
> something less safe, just to avoid damaging my expensive stick.
>
> It also requires that you don't have a crown guard over the top of the
> blade, which raises a few European eyebrows - admittedly the younger
> or pinstripe-suit wearing ones.

Do you actually have one?
Remmeber that the GRR-Ripper provides a good amount of force down on the
workpiece as well to help stop it rising up on the back of the blade if it
did pinch. Then you have the MJ splitter to further help prevent that.
Because both sides of the workpiece are supported, and hence kept seperated
during and after the cut, the chance of pinching with the grr-ripper and MJ
splitter installed is reduced greatly.
Also, you can cut into the GRR-Ripper with your saw bladse and it won't
damage the blade.
As for blade guards, well its really a moving blade guard. Your fingers are
not in danger. I happen to feel MUCH safer using the device, especially when
cutting narrow stock, than using a traditional push stick and standard blade
guard, which you can't really use easily for narrow cuts anyway.

Dean


DB

Duane Bozarth

in reply to "Sam" on 14/04/2005 10:08 PM

17/04/2005 2:33 PM

Upscale wrote:
...
> ...as I've already intimidated. ...

That wud be intimated methinks, I doubt you'll intimidate Swingman. :)

LG

"Lee Gordon"

in reply to "Sam" on 14/04/2005 10:08 PM

17/04/2005 3:31 PM

<<Come back when you have something a
little more substantial to offer.>>

It may be a while. He's walking to Dallas. <g>

Lee


--
To e-mail, replace "bucketofspam" with "dleegordon"

tt

"toller"

in reply to "Sam" on 14/04/2005 10:08 PM

22/04/2005 6:21 PM

I bought the full package because that is all they had. I use the basic
part frequently, but have never used the rest. YMMV.

Uu

"Upscale"

in reply to "Sam" on 14/04/2005 10:08 PM

17/04/2005 3:42 PM

"Duane Bozarth" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>
> That wud be intimated methinks, I doubt you'll intimidate Swingman. :)

Yeah, mind thought one thing, fingers did something else and I didn't notice
until I'd posted the message. I'm sure Swingman will attempt to use it to
his advantage.

Uu

"Upscale"

in reply to "Sam" on 14/04/2005 10:08 PM

17/04/2005 3:06 PM


"Swingman" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:rIWdnToxb6du6__fRVn-
> > > I agree ... but It takes a week to walk to Dallas from here, which can
> > > be counteracted by using various other means of transportation. That
> > >doesn't change the underlying facts.
> >
> > Absurd comparison. Hope you're not planning on entering any debates
soon.
>
> LOL .. If you believe that, then you're most definitely out of your
league.
> The underlying structural relationships in the 'analogy' are rock solid to
> any one capable of logical thought ... but you do have to be smart enough
to
> recognize the parallels.

The structural relationship you are claiming between walking to Dallas and
the Grr-gripper is simple equivocation and still meets the standard of
absurdity. As far as saying I'm not smart enough to see the parallels,
that's an ad hominem response and plainly demonstrates your poor debating
skills, as I've already intimidated. It doesn't meet the standards of
adequacy and fails to be acceptable. Come back when you have something a
little more substantial to offer.

Sk

"Swingman"

in reply to "Sam" on 14/04/2005 10:08 PM

17/04/2005 5:50 AM

"Lee Gordon" wrote in message
> <<All my life I have noticed the tendency of a board to "ride up" if the
> blade
> is low when ripping, and that tendency disappears with the blade set up
> high.>>
>
> But that tendency can be counteracted when you are able to apply downward
> pressure on the workpiece in the vicinity of the blade while
simultaneously
> applying lateral force to keep the piece tight to the fence, which is what
I
> like most about the Grr-ripper.

I agree ... but It takes a week to walk to Dallas from here, which can be
counteracted by using various other means of transportation. That doesn't
change the underlying facts.

--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 4/14/05

Br

Ba r r y

in reply to "Sam" on 14/04/2005 10:08 PM

15/04/2005 11:38 PM

On Fri, 15 Apr 2005 13:31:57 +0100, Andy Dingley
<[email protected]> wrote:

>On Fri, 15 Apr 2005 11:13:20 GMT, Ba r r y
><[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>If I didn't have shop made versions, I could do it with my $7 jointer
>>push blocks.
>
>The bright orange set of three ?

Mine are white.

>
>I've got a set of those - I should have saved the money. They're a
>nice idea and the bright orange colour stops me loosing them, but the
>black rubber base is poor quality and falls apart.

Mine don't fall apart, but they weren't that "grippy" until they were
introduced to 60 grit. These don't mark the wood, either.

Barry

AD

Andy Dingley

in reply to "Sam" on 14/04/2005 10:08 PM

16/04/2005 2:06 AM

On 15 Apr 2005 17:15:42 -0700, "Knotbob" <[email protected]> wrote:

> With the gripper YOU can actually control the workpiece and YOU
>can't do that with a long push stick.

Just because it's called a "stick" doesn't mean it has to look like a
twig. You can put a base on them that's just as big and controllable
as the Grr-Ripper.

The difference is that the Grr-Ripper is low. So low that I can't fit
it past the blade, without dropping the blade to a position I'd regard
as less than ideal for ripping.


> (and the splitter is "permanently" installed. You don't reach across the blade to install it
>as you're ripping.)

Sorry, I worded that badly - I was thinking about separate wedge
splitters (which is what I'd have to use if I'd dropped my riving
knife off for a cut).

--
Cats have nine lives, which is why they rarely post to Usenet.

Uu

"Upscale"

in reply to "Sam" on 14/04/2005 10:08 PM

17/04/2005 9:10 PM

"Swingman" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>
> No thanks ... the suggested action is much more "apropos", and tailored
for
> you personally, due to the twist you've managed to inject, with the
uncalled
> for snideness in your first post in the thread, into what was heretofore a
> pleasant little discussion.

Pleasant until someone disagreed with you. What does that say about your
apparently fragile ego that you can't handle a little rebuttal?

LG

"Lee Gordon"

in reply to "Sam" on 14/04/2005 10:08 PM

16/04/2005 6:51 PM

<<Just walked out to the shop and measured the depth of the channle, and
there is approx 1in of clearance from the bottom of the green pad and
the inside upper edge of the gripper. So, you can have the blade
approx 1in above the workpiece and NOT cut the GRRRipper

Gosh, someone who actually owns a GRRRipper is posting on this instead
of just trying to guess about this from the pictures on the Gripper
website - will wonders never cease <vbg!> >>

I just came inside from measuring mine, as well. And I can confirm that
there is indeed one inch of clearance between the bottom of the rubber pads
and the "bridge." So Andy is correct that you can't raise the blade to full
elevation and run the Grr-ripper over it without cutting into it and/or your
hand. However, the McGuffin here is that the Grr-ripper does not ride flat
on the table; it sits on top of the workpiece. So if you are ripping a 2"
thick piece of stock, you can raise the blade to just a hair under 3" and be
OK. I can see if someone doesn't want to work that way but it doesn't
bother me.

Lee



--
To e-mail, replace "bucketofspam" with "dleegordon"

HP

Hax Planx

in reply to "Sam" on 14/04/2005 10:08 PM

14/04/2005 6:33 PM

Andy Dingley says...

> On Thu, 14 Apr 2005 22:08:30 GMT, "Sam" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> >Do you recommend the basic model for $49.99 or the other one for 69.99.
>
> I didn't spend that much on my cat, let alone my push stick.

Or if you really like it, you could make a copy out of wood. Now that
I've seen it, I think I will make a copy.

HP

Hax Planx

in reply to "Sam" on 14/04/2005 10:08 PM

14/04/2005 8:41 PM

Andy Dingley says...

> On Thu, 14 Apr 2005 22:08:30 GMT, "Sam" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> >I was thinking of buying one from Amazon, but can't decide which one to get.
>
> OK, well I for one hate it and think it's unsafe.
>
> The problem is that it passes _over_ the blade, which requires you to
> do through rips with the blade lowered. I do these with the blade as
> _high_ as possible, because that reduces the horizontal component of
> blade friction against the work, a major contributor to kickback.
> Using the Grr-Ripper would require me to lower my blade, which I'm
> just not prepared to do.

Actually, it sits pretty darned high. Looks like you can have a good
2" blade sticking out of the stock before it hits the gadget.

HP

Hax Planx

in reply to "Sam" on 14/04/2005 10:08 PM

15/04/2005 4:18 PM

BillyBob says...

> You'll lose a lot of little nuances in functionality in a wood copy. You
> really can't appreciate them just by looking at a picture.
>
> Bob

I don't doubt they are nice, but somewhere you have to draw the line
when it comes to tool indulgence.

Sk

"Swingman"

in reply to "Sam" on 14/04/2005 10:08 PM

16/04/2005 12:49 PM


"BillyBob" wrote in message
>
> "Andy Dingley" wrote in message
>
>
> > I don't like this thing because it requires me to lower the blade when
> > ripping, something I think is more dangerous than any advantage gained
> > by using it.
>
> I don't understand the mechanics of the danger of lowering the blade when
> ripping. Could you elaborate? My understanding is that kickback
originates
> at the rear of the blade with the teeth catching the wood enough to kick
it
> back. How does lowering the blade increase the likelihood of this process
> happening?

Think about it for a minute with the idea that, with the blade at its
highest setting, the front teeth are now biting into the wood at an
increased angle (almost straight down toward the table if the board is thin
enough), thereby creating downward pressure (toward the table) on the board
where the teeth are doing the cutting

If you try it, you will be able to actually feel that this increased
downward pressure offsets a tendency for the board to rise up off the table
while being cut when the blade is set lower.

Many feel this reduces the risk of kickback ... and a good argument can be
made that every little factor in your favor helps.

--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 4/14/05

tt

"toller"

in reply to "Sam" on 14/04/2005 10:08 PM

15/04/2005 2:05 AM

I bought the full package because that is all they had. I use the basic
part frequently, but have never used the rest. YMMV.

Bb

"BillyBob"

in reply to "Sam" on 14/04/2005 10:08 PM

15/04/2005 1:51 PM


"Andy Dingley" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

> this stick gives as good control of the workpiece as Grr-Ripper

Andy, I have a lot of respect for you and your breadth of knowledge. I view
you as renaissance man and you contribute a lot to this conference. I'm
disappointed in reading this thread. I think you've ripped your britches
giving such firm opinions about a device it appears you've never even used
for a minute. It hurts your otherwise outstanding credibility.

Bob

VB

"Vic Baron"

in reply to "Sam" on 14/04/2005 10:08 PM

14/04/2005 10:35 PM


"Sam" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:yRB7e.15112$Bb3.9081@attbi_s22...
> I was thinking of buying one from Amazon, but can't decide which one to
get.
> Do you recommend the basic model for $49.99 or the other one for 69.99. I
> hate to jar loose of the extra 20 bucks, but wonder if I should bite the
> bullet and get the advanced model. I am not an advanced woodworker and
don't
> know what the advanced model would buy me. Thanks for your help.


I bought the advanced model and have not been sorry. I keep discovering new
uses for it.

Vic

Uu

"Upscale"

in reply to "Sam" on 14/04/2005 10:08 PM

17/04/2005 7:52 AM

"Swingman" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:6bCdnZCmsvrCov_fRVn-
>
> I agree ... but It takes a week to walk to Dallas from here, which can be
> counteracted by using various other means of transportation. That doesn't
> change the underlying facts.

Absurd comparison. Hope you're not planning on entering any debates soon.


Sk

"Swingman"

in reply to "Sam" on 14/04/2005 10:08 PM

16/04/2005 2:20 PM

"John" wrote in message
> Just walked out to the shop and measured the depth of the channle, and
> there is approx 1in of clearance from the bottom of the green pad and
> the inside upper edge of the gripper. So, you can have the blade
> approx 1in above the workpiece and NOT cut the GRRRipper
>
> Gosh, someone who actually owns a GRRRipper is posting on this instead
> of just trying to guess about this from the pictures on the Gripper
> website - will wonders never cease <vbg!>

Amazing, ain't it? But you ain't seen nothing yet. Just wait til' the
physics majors, or wannabe physic's majors, or those whose great aunts are
physic's majors, get going on the various forces acting on the blade and
wood during a cut.

It may be time to nuke the thread because it looks like this cow's been
milked.

--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 4/14/05

Sk

"Swingman"

in reply to "Sam" on 14/04/2005 10:08 PM

17/04/2005 4:25 PM

"Upscale" wrote in message ...

> The childish comparison you used was simple to see.

Wel, it was becoming apparent that an attempt to dumb it down to your level
was necessary ... obvioulsy even that failed.

>Anyone with even
> rudimentary language skills can form a relationship between two things,
> objects or words. That's simple logic. I dismissed the relationship you
> developed as being irrelevent because the two ideas were too foreign to
each
> other.

It is more likely that you "dismissed it" for lack of comprehension ...
provable by your missing the STATED point of the analogy, to wit:

... none of the solutions "change the underlying facts."

> > Now go fuck yourself.
>
> Ahh, now we get down to the real sentiment of the discussion. Failing to
> prove any valid points, you've digressed to profanity. Very appropriate
and
> more than anything else, demonstrates your lack of debating skills. Let's
> talk again sometime when you've got something more apropos to say.

No thanks ... the suggested action is much more "apropos", and tailored for
you personally, due to the twist you've managed to inject, with the uncalled
for snideness in your first post in the thread, into what was heretofore a
pleasant little discussion.

--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 4/17/05

LG

"Lee Gordon"

in reply to "Sam" on 14/04/2005 10:08 PM

16/04/2005 6:54 PM

<<All my life I have noticed the tendency of a board to "ride up" if the
blade
is low when ripping, and that tendency disappears with the blade set up
high.>>

But that tendency can be counteracted when you are able to apply downward
pressure on the workpiece in the vicinity of the blade while simultaneously
applying lateral force to keep the piece tight to the fence, which is what I
like most about the Grr-ripper.

Lee



--
To e-mail, replace "bucketofspam" with "dleegordon"

AD

Andy Dingley

in reply to "Sam" on 14/04/2005 10:08 PM

15/04/2005 2:10 PM

On 14 Apr 2005 20:33:56 -0700, [email protected] wrote:

>I challenge Andy or anyone to cut 50 pieces
>of black ebony 1/4" x 1/4" x 3" long and at the price of ebony

First of all, that's a bandsaw job, just to avoid the kerf wastage and
the risk of shattering brittle ebony. Secondly you rip it long and
crosscut later.

I do rip 1/4" thick strips fairly often and I do it with a long stick
that's a shade under 1/4" wide. This also has a long foot on it. Now
this stick gives as good control of the workpiece as Grr-Ripper, keeps
my hands further from the blade, but it does require rather more user
dexterity.

If I was ripping lots of this material, I'd quite possibly make a
Grr-Ripper-like device. If I only need it to work at one setting and
not be adjustable, then this is easy. Even if I _liked_ the idea,
this is still an expensive gadget and I can make my own.

The thing I just don't like about Grr-Ripper is the need to lower the
sawblade. Now that in itself is a contributor to hazard - no safety
device that requires you to change something to make it even more
hazardous can be an entirely good thing.

Grr-Ripper is a clever device. It looks well made and well-thought out
as a piece of engineering. If I were sawing grooves into shoji
runners, I might well want such a device - a flat plate with a heel
hook behind and a side straddle to stop it wobbling. But this is a
pretty contrived example - I _have_ such pushblocks already
(job-specific) and my point is that I'd never think of using them for
ripping, because of the blade height.



JC

"J. Clarke"

in reply to "Sam" on 14/04/2005 10:08 PM

16/04/2005 6:41 AM

Upscale wrote:

> "Lee Gordon" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> <<The difference is that the Grr-Ripper is low. So low that I can't fit
>> it past the blade, without dropping the blade to a position I'd regard
>> as less than ideal for ripping.>>
>
> Not sure what the problem is that he's having, but the pictures on the
> microjig.com website shows that it can easily clear 5" which is well above
> the maximum height of a 10" blade.

Huh? Looking at the Microjig site, they claim that the narrow leg is 1/4"
wide. Scaling from that the throat depth is about an inch. Now, scaling
from an online photo is not the most accurate process in the world, but
still there's no way I'm off by a factor of 5 on that.

--
--John
to email, dial "usenet" and validate
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

JC

"J. Clarke"

in reply to "Sam" on 14/04/2005 10:08 PM

16/04/2005 3:24 PM

John wrote:

> Just walked out to the shop and measured the depth of the channle, and
> there is approx 1in of clearance from the bottom of the green pad and
> the inside upper edge of the gripper. So, you can have the blade
> approx 1in above the workpiece and NOT cut the GRRRipper
>
> Gosh, someone who actually owns a GRRRipper is posting on this instead
> of just trying to guess about this from the pictures on the Gripper
> website - will wonders never cease <vbg!>

I find it interesting that your measurement comes so close to my "guess".

> John
>
> On Sat, 16 Apr 2005 06:41:19 -0400, "J. Clarke"
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>Upscale wrote:
>>
>>> "Lee Gordon" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>>> news:[email protected]...
>>>> <<The difference is that the Grr-Ripper is low. So low that I can't fit
>>>> it past the blade, without dropping the blade to a position I'd regard
>>>> as less than ideal for ripping.>>
>>>
>>> Not sure what the problem is that he's having, but the pictures on the
>>> microjig.com website shows that it can easily clear 5" which is well
>>> above the maximum height of a 10" blade.
>>
>>Huh? Looking at the Microjig site, they claim that the narrow leg is 1/4"
>>wide. Scaling from that the throat depth is about an inch. Now, scaling
>>from an online photo is not the most accurate process in the world, but
>>still there's no way I'm off by a factor of 5 on that.

--
--John
to email, dial "usenet" and validate
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

Uu

"Upscale"

in reply to "Sam" on 14/04/2005 10:08 PM

16/04/2005 2:26 PM

"Swingman" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:O9KdnbkCAsSLzfzfRVn-
>
> Think about it for a minute with the idea that, with the blade at its
> highest setting, the front teeth are now biting into the wood at an
> increased angle (almost straight down toward the table if the board is
thin
> enough), thereby creating downward pressure (toward the table) on the
board
> where the teeth are doing the cutting

You're forgetting one thing though. With the blade raised to it's maximum
height, there's more blade in the meat of the wood increasing the chances of
the wood pinching the blade and being hurled in a kickback. Of course, a
splitter is supposed to protect against that, but a splitter is not
infallible against this type of action. While you're probably right about
the front teeth coming down on the wood pressing it into the table, the
reverse is true on the back teeth coming up to the wood increasing the
chances that it's going to raise the rear section of the wood setting up a
kickback scenario.

AD

Andy Dingley

in reply to "Sam" on 14/04/2005 10:08 PM

15/04/2005 2:06 AM

On Thu, 14 Apr 2005 22:08:30 GMT, "Sam" <[email protected]> wrote:

>I was thinking of buying one from Amazon, but can't decide which one to get.

OK, well I for one hate it and think it's unsafe.

The problem is that it passes _over_ the blade, which requires you to
do through rips with the blade lowered. I do these with the blade as
_high_ as possible, because that reduces the horizontal component of
blade friction against the work, a major contributor to kickback.
Using the Grr-Ripper would require me to lower my blade, which I'm
just not prepared to do.

So, back to the "long stick" pushstick for me. I also like the idea
that a push stick made from scrap can cheerfully be stuck _through_ a
blade, if that's the best way to use it. I'm never tempted to do
something less safe, just to avoid damaging my expensive stick.

It also requires that you don't have a crown guard over the top of the
blade, which raises a few European eyebrows - admittedly the younger
or pinstripe-suit wearing ones.

Uu

"Upscale"

in reply to "Sam" on 14/04/2005 10:08 PM

16/04/2005 4:49 AM

"Lee Gordon" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> <<The difference is that the Grr-Ripper is low. So low that I can't fit
> it past the blade, without dropping the blade to a position I'd regard
> as less than ideal for ripping.>>

Not sure what the problem is that he's having, but the pictures on the
microjig.com website shows that it can easily clear 5" which is well above
the maximum height of a 10" blade.

Sk

"Swingman"

in reply to "Sam" on 14/04/2005 10:08 PM

17/04/2005 3:24 PM

"Upscale"wrote in message
>
> "Swingman" wrote in message
> > > > I agree ... but It takes a week to walk to Dallas from here, which
can
> > > > be counteracted by using various other means of transportation. That
> > > >doesn't change the underlying facts.
> > >
> > > Absurd comparison. Hope you're not planning on entering any debates
> soon.
> >
> > LOL .. If you believe that, then you're most definitely out of your
> league.
> > The underlying structural relationships in the 'analogy' are rock solid
to
> > any one capable of logical thought ... but you do have to be smart
enough
> to
> > recognize the parallels.
>
> The structural relationship you are claiming between walking to Dallas and
> the Grr-gripper is simple equivocation and still meets the standard of
> absurdity. As far as saying I'm not smart enough to see the parallels,
> that's an ad hominem response and plainly demonstrates your poor debating
> skills, as I've already intimidated.

Ahh, but the shoe fits you too well ... and "ad hominen" was tit for tat in
case you didn't even notice your ad hominem "debate" response.

>It doesn't meet the standards of
> adequacy and fails to be acceptable. Come back when you have something a
> little more substantial to offer.

Well, let's see if we can't get your elevator a little closer to the top
floor:

In both instances there is an underlying problem in the realization of a
goal, and various means to "counteract" the problem:

Goal Problem Possible Solution
Rip cut - board rises - raise blade/use hold down device
Get to Dallas - long walk - use device with motor/wheels/wings

Shame on you for not being able to figure out something so simple for
yourself ... and so much for your qualifications on making judgments on
others ability to "debate".

Now go fuck yourself.

--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 4/17/05

Sk

"Swingman"

in reply to "Sam" on 14/04/2005 10:08 PM

15/04/2005 6:35 AM

"Ba r r y" wrote in message
> On 14 Apr 2005 20:33:56 -0700, [email protected] wrote:
>
> > Well said Wodcrafter!!! I challenge Andy or anyone to cut 50 pieces
> >of black ebony 1/4" x 1/4" x 3" long and at the price of ebony ....do
> >not waste anymore material than the saw kerf....I find the Gripper to
> >work very at this...better than any home made push stick I would want
> >to take the time to build.
>
> If I didn't have shop made versions, I could do it with my $7 jointer
> push blocks.

SEVEN DOLLARS for "jointer push blocks"??!! ... you must be rich. ;>)

Actually, that's what I thought until I actually scored a pair of subject
devices. I do think they're pricy and that, unfortunately, puts the device
into the realm of the "boy toy" for those who have more money than
experience and must have one or two of everything and damn the cost.

However, if they cost only $12, my bet is that you would throw away those
"$7 jointer push blocks" in a heartbeat, <G>

The bottom line for any tool/device/jig/whatever is whether you would
replace it if it were lost or stolen ... I would be guilty in this case.

--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 4/14/05

Jj

John

in reply to "Sam" on 14/04/2005 10:08 PM

16/04/2005 2:07 PM

Just walked out to the shop and measured the depth of the channle, and
there is approx 1in of clearance from the bottom of the green pad and
the inside upper edge of the gripper. So, you can have the blade
approx 1in above the workpiece and NOT cut the GRRRipper

Gosh, someone who actually owns a GRRRipper is posting on this instead
of just trying to guess about this from the pictures on the Gripper
website - will wonders never cease <vbg!>


John

On Sat, 16 Apr 2005 06:41:19 -0400, "J. Clarke"
<[email protected]> wrote:

>Upscale wrote:
>
>> "Lee Gordon" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> news:[email protected]...
>>> <<The difference is that the Grr-Ripper is low. So low that I can't fit
>>> it past the blade, without dropping the blade to a position I'd regard
>>> as less than ideal for ripping.>>
>>
>> Not sure what the problem is that he's having, but the pictures on the
>> microjig.com website shows that it can easily clear 5" which is well above
>> the maximum height of a 10" blade.
>
>Huh? Looking at the Microjig site, they claim that the narrow leg is 1/4"
>wide. Scaling from that the throat depth is about an inch. Now, scaling
>from an online photo is not the most accurate process in the world, but
>still there's no way I'm off by a factor of 5 on that.

AD

Andy Dingley

in reply to "Sam" on 14/04/2005 10:08 PM

15/04/2005 1:31 PM

On Fri, 15 Apr 2005 11:13:20 GMT, Ba r r y
<[email protected]> wrote:

>If I didn't have shop made versions, I could do it with my $7 jointer
>push blocks.

The bright orange set of three ?

I've got a set of those - I should have saved the money. They're a
nice idea and the bright orange colour stops me loosing them, but the
black rubber base is poor quality and falls apart. When I realised
this was leaving black marks on the workpiece, I had to replace it.

Next time I'd just make my own.

Br

Ba r r y

in reply to "Sam" on 14/04/2005 10:08 PM

15/04/2005 11:13 AM

On 14 Apr 2005 20:33:56 -0700, [email protected] wrote:

> Well said Wodcrafter!!! I challenge Andy or anyone to cut 50 pieces
>of black ebony 1/4" x 1/4" x 3" long and at the price of ebony ....do
>not waste anymore material than the saw kerf....I find the Gripper to
>work very at this...better than any home made push stick I would want
>to take the time to build.

If I didn't have shop made versions, I could do it with my $7 jointer
push blocks.

Barry

an

alexy

in reply to "Sam" on 14/04/2005 10:08 PM

15/04/2005 12:53 AM

[email protected] wrote:

>Read the orginal post...answer the man's question....he did not ask if
>you were to damn tight to spend a buck....he asked if he needed the
>advanced model..So if you do not own one , do not post ..
Who are you talking to? The reference headers make it look like you
posted this as a response to Woodcrafter, but he clearly is saying the
same thing. Quoting some context would make your post make more sense.

>It drives me
>crazy that someone would put a product down that has never used one let
>alone have enough intellligence to want to use one.
And it drives others of us crazy that someone would post without using
a real newsreader, especially if they don't have the intelligence to
use one. <g>

> Why do you have to
>be so damn negative against a great idea? If you choose not to buy
>one, so keep quite about it.
If you choose not to quote relevant material in your replies, keep
quite quiet.
--
Alex -- Replace "nospam" with "mail" to reply by email. Checked infrequently.

Br

Ba r r y

in reply to "Sam" on 14/04/2005 10:08 PM

14/04/2005 11:31 PM

On Fri, 15 Apr 2005 00:02:54 +0100, Andy Dingley
<[email protected]> wrote:

>On Thu, 14 Apr 2005 22:08:30 GMT, "Sam" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>Do you recommend the basic model for $49.99 or the other one for 69.99.
>
>I didn't spend that much on my cat, let alone my push stick.

Same thing. <G>

Barry

Bb

"BillyBob"

in reply to "Sam" on 14/04/2005 10:08 PM

16/04/2005 5:04 PM


"Andy Dingley" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

> I don't like this thing because it requires me to lower the blade when
> ripping, something I think is more dangerous than any advantage gained
> by using it.

I don't understand the mechanics of the danger of lowering the blade when
ripping. Could you elaborate? My understanding is that kickback originates
at the rear of the blade with the teeth catching the wood enough to kick it
back. How does lowering the blade increase the likelihood of this process
happening?

Thanks,
Bob

Sk

"Swingman"

in reply to "Sam" on 14/04/2005 10:08 PM

17/04/2005 9:47 AM

"Upscale" wrote in message
> "Swingman" wrote in message
> >
> > I agree ... but It takes a week to walk to Dallas from here, which can
be
> > counteracted by using various other means of transportation. That
doesn't
> > change the underlying facts.
>
> Absurd comparison. Hope you're not planning on entering any debates soon.

LOL .. If you believe that, then you're most definitely out of your league.
The underlying structural relationships in the 'analogy' are rock solid to
any one capable of logical thought ... but you do have to be smart enough to
recognize the parallels.

--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 4/17/05

LG

"Lee Gordon"

in reply to "Sam" on 14/04/2005 10:08 PM

16/04/2005 3:17 AM

<<The difference is that the Grr-Ripper is low. So low that I can't fit
it past the blade, without dropping the blade to a position I'd regard
as less than ideal for ripping.>>

I assume you either have not used a Grr-ripper or the blade on your saw is
12" or larger. As far as I know, the Grr-ripper is designed to completely
clear the portion of a 10" blade that extends above the table when fully
raised. It's a little late at night to do it now, but tomorrow I will go
out into the shop (a/k/a the garage) and confirm this. I will also mount a
12" blade in my old saw and see how close that clearance is. Perhaps I'll
even post a photo or two at a-b-p-w.

Lee


--
To e-mail, replace "bucketofspam" with "dleegordon"

Br

Ba r r y

in reply to "Sam" on 14/04/2005 10:08 PM

17/04/2005 12:00 AM

On Sat, 16 Apr 2005 14:20:53 -0500, "Swingman" <[email protected]> wrote:

>Amazing, ain't it? But you ain't seen nothing yet. Just wait til' the
>physics majors, or wannabe physic's majors, or those whose great aunts are
>physic's majors, get going on the various forces acting on the blade and
>wood during a cut.

Is there any acetone on the wood, and is the dust collector's PVC pipe
grounded? Those also can be factors.

Barry

AD

Andy Dingley

in reply to "Sam" on 14/04/2005 10:08 PM

15/04/2005 5:56 PM

On Fri, 15 Apr 2005 13:51:43 GMT, "BillyBob"
<[email protected]> wrote:

>I think you've ripped your britches giving such firm opinions about a device it appears you've never even used

That's a fair comment, in general don't listen to the guy who hasn't
actually used it. And I might just be plain wrong - wouldn't be the
first time. I'm still waiting to hear any rebuttal of my key point
though.

I don't like this thing because it requires me to lower the blade when
ripping, something I think is more dangerous than any advantage gained
by using it. Now if you personally disagree over the positioning
issue, then that's fair comment - but you don't need to _handle_ the
Grr-Ripper to know that it's going to involve it.

There are a few cases when it could be useful. But for these I can
make a push block as I need it - I don't need adjustability.

As an adjustable push block, it's a great piece of work. But I don't
need an adjustable push block, and this is an expensive substitute for
a simple non-adjustable one.

Uu

"Upscale"

in reply to "Sam" on 14/04/2005 10:08 PM

17/04/2005 4:41 PM

"Swingman" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:htGdnSVpRep2WP_fRVn-
>
> Shame on you for not being able to figure out something so simple for
> yourself ... and so much for your qualifications on making judgments on
> others ability to "debate".

The childish comparison you used was simple to see. Anyone with even
rudimentary language skills can form a relationship between two things,
objects or words. That's simple logic. I dismissed the relationship you
developed as being irrelevent because the two ideas were too foreign to each
other.

> Now go fuck yourself.

Ahh, now we get down to the real sentiment of the discussion. Failing to
prove any valid points, you've digressed to profanity. Very appropriate and
more than anything else, demonstrates your lack of debating skills. Let's
talk again sometime when you've got something more apropos to say.

Uu

"Upscale"

in reply to "Sam" on 14/04/2005 10:08 PM

16/04/2005 3:18 AM

"Andy Dingley" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>
> The difference is that the Grr-Ripper is low. So low that I can't fit
> it past the blade, without dropping the blade to a position I'd regard
> as less than ideal for ripping.

Just for the sake of discussion, how much higher than the wood do you raise
the blade? My experience with ripping is that the cleanest cuts are ones
where the blade is about halfway between the bottom and top of the deepest
gullets, with the emphasis on making sure that the carbide tips are above
the wood at the top of the rise.


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