Curious to know who's had experience with the 'Grripper system' used for
ripping stock.
I like the promotional info re: safety; just don't know whether or how this
system would work for ripping strips of maple 3/4" thick by 1.5" wide by 72"
inches in length.
Any ideas, suggestions welcome.
Dave Albrektson
On Tue, 5 Aug 2003 18:11:23 -0500, "albrektson" <[email protected]> wrote:
>Curious to know who's had experience with the 'Grripper system' used for
>ripping stock.
>I like the promotional info re: safety; just don't know whether or how this
>system would work for ripping strips of maple 3/4" thick by 1.5" wide by 72"
>inches in length.
>Any ideas, suggestions welcome.
>Dave Albrektson
>
I don't have one but reserached this just w/in the past few days. The best
price this month, especially if you want to buy two (which many users
recommend) is direcly at http://www.jointech.com/gripper.html
Here is the google search I did:
http://groups.google.com/groups?as_q=GRR-Ripper&safe=images&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&as_ugroup=rec.woodworking&lr=&num=30&hl=en
There are 27 threads, so easy to read through. I found them helpful.
> "albrektson" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> > Curious to know who's had experience with the 'Grripper system' used for
> > ripping stock.
> > I like the promotional info re: safety; just don't know whether or how this
> > system would work for ripping strips of maple 3/4" thick by 1.5" wide by 72"
> > inches in length.
> > Any ideas, suggestions welcome.
> > Dave Albrektson
>
Have to disagree with Jeff's view of te Grripper but just a little.
The ripping
of 3/4" boards into 1 1/2" strips relying solely on the Grrripper
went astray
when you got to the 6 foot length part. The Grrripper is good for
keeping
control of shorter stuff - the 4 - 12 inch stuff that can really
raise hell
at the back of the blade, after completing the cut. In this case it
acts as
a hold down, a hold in and a pushing device - things a push stick
can't do
and feather boards for hold down and hold in gets in the way when
trying to
complete the cut. The Grrripper is geat for ripping narrow shorter
stuff
- down to 1/4" width AND it gives you pretty good control when
running narrow
stuff passed a router bit on a router table.
BUT - for 6 foot and longer rips I'd look into Mesa Designs
"Grip-Tite"
system - a pair of magnetic hold down/hold in devices and a steel
face for
your rip fence for the magnets to hold on to. They're quick and
easy
to set and once you've seen a demo of these puppies at a woodworking
show
you'll reach for your wallet AFTER applauding. It goes something
like this
With one hand in his pocket and feeding a pine or doug fir 2x4 into
the
saw blade from the end of it's 3 foot length he begins
"Now ordinarily I wouldn't try to one hand this cut."
Letting go of the board he continues
"And letting go of a board during a cut normally isn't a good idea."
(you should find yourself moving out of the line of
fire if you're standing behind or beside him)
Walking around the back of the still running saw - in the middle of
the
cut he squeezes the kerf closed, saying
"And this isn't something you want to do either."
(you should be now prone on the floor, teeth clenched)
Then this lunatic grabs the end of the board and starts trying to
shake it left and right as the saw blade really starts protesting.
"Even though you've told your assisting spouse/significant other/
friend never to do this, he or she will do it at least once per
rip."
(at this point you'll be trying to dig a hole in the floor
with one hand, your other arm trying to cover your head
and your eyes should be clenched shut as you attempt to
recite The Lord's Prayer or the 23rd Psalm - you know, the
one that goes "Yay though I walk in the shadow of death ..."
You'll be half way through either of them when you're brain
will register the silence - no more blade screams, no more
smell of burning drive belts. It will take you a few
moments to regain your composure and get back to a standing
position. Don't worry, he'll wait for you before
continuing his "pitch")
Waiting patiently for his audience to get up off the floor and
get their blood pressure and adrenaline levels below the Red
Zone, he finishes the cut, turns off the saw and then holds up
both hands, fingers spread so you can count that they're all still
there.
"And that my friends is why you need The Grip-Tite System!"
Reaching for your wallet you'll ask "How much?"
"Just ten bucks a finger. Hell, it pays for itself - you know
what a trip to the emergency room costs these days?" (He quickly
adds that the actual price is $100 - no discounts for those with
missing parts of fingers or entire digits gone)
Now have a look at their site and seriously consider ordering
www.grip-tite.com
I have no affiliation with Mesa Designs - just a satisfied
customer.
BTW - if the 6 foot length is critical start with stock an few
inches longer and cut to length after ripping to width.
charlie b
"albrektson" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> Curious to know who's had experience with the 'Grripper system' used for
> ripping stock.
> I like the promotional info re: safety; just don't know whether or how this
> system would work for ripping strips of maple 3/4" thick by 1.5" wide by 72"
> inches in length.
> Any ideas, suggestions welcome.
> Dave Albrektson
Well I bought one a few months back for $65 I believe and think it's
great. It's a little pricey, but it works fantastic. I would
disagree with the poster that compared it to a wooden push block, the
Gripper is really much more than that. Instead of pushing from behind
you set the legs of it to match what you are cutting and then place
the block on top of your piece and push it through. The blade then
passes underneath the block (and your hand). This allows you to get a
much better..well..grip on the piece.
Although kickbacks are ALWAYS possible I think this unit would make a
kickback highly unlikely the way it grips both pieces as it goes
through the saw. It's very adjustable and let's you rips strips down
to 1/4" wide I believe. I feel MUCH, MUCH safer ripping now after
using their system. I would highly recommend it...
Never used one but have looked at it. It would work fine. It would even work
as well as a wooden push block. Of course, the wooden push block won't cost
you $70.00 if you can live with that.
"albrektson" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Curious to know who's had experience with the 'Grripper system' used for
> ripping stock.
> I like the promotional info re: safety; just don't know whether or how
this
> system would work for ripping strips of maple 3/4" thick by 1.5" wide by
72"
> inches in length.
> Any ideas, suggestions welcome.
> Dave Albrektson
>
>