New Product: "Grr-Ripper Push Block System"

This is the Grr-Ripper System. It is a relatively new device that is designed to make cutting pieces of wood at the table saw much safer. Similarly, it can work well at the router table, the jointer — actually, quite a few places around the shop. There are several models, and we will put two units together and try them in many different applications
	This is one of the many photos on the Grr-Ripper website. In this application, the saw fence is set to cut 1/4" strips. The Grr-Ripper is adjusted so that both the 1/4" piece and the main block are both secured before, during and after the cut. The blade goes right under the Grr-Ripper.  Let me tell you that, at first, I was hesitant to have my hand so close to the blade — and right over it. But, once I learned the basics, I was convinced that the Grr-Ripper makes for a much safer cut if set correctly. That is easy to do.
Let me back up this story. The units come in a nice, compact box and require some assembly. The assembly steps could not be easier. The Grr-Ripper is one of the best documented tools to have ever come into my shop. The printed instructions are thorough, but there is also a DVD that has the step-by-step assembly and use. If that is not enough, their website has it all, as well. Their link is at the end of this story.
	It is simple to lay out the parts just as in the manual. Most of the parts are easy to identify.
The assembly is proceeding nicely. Most all the hardware is what we typically find in our various tools. The arrow points to some very small O-rings that I would not have known what to do with. They get put on the back side of each screw. Once there, they keep the screw from falling out of the fixture — a clever way of doing this.
	I have borrowed one of their assembly pictures to illustrate the detail that their art has. I have placed the arrow over the O-ring.
And if that isn't enough, the next slide shows the O-ring even closer. These are the best set of instructions that I have ever seen. I could say that they are more than what is needed, but this product is a safety product, and I am sure they don't want to chance anything other than an absolutely correct jig. I appreciate that.
	I put two together in about 20 minutes of time. Now it is time to start using it.
It was nice to have such thorough documentation for putting the Grr-Ripper together, and even nicer to have animation slide shows to show how the device is used.
	In addition to the animated sequences, there are a number of actual video demonstrations by serious woodworkers.    This product has no equal when it comes to documentation and support. It will certainly become an industry standard — I hope.    Now, let's get to using it.
Beth is using the Grr-ripper for the very first time and has set the fence to 5 3/8" — what she needs for two legs for a step stool. She has installed the CMT rip blade. It has an "anti-kickback" tooth design. It is a standard kerf blade so she can also use the splitter which has been pulled up into position. This is already a very safe ripping operation.    She will be using two Grr-Ripper push shoes that are both set up exactly the same way. Using two allows her to "walk" the board through the blade without ever having one Grr-Ripper in contact and in total control.    The Grr-Ripper in her right hand started the board, then the left hand unit took over.
	As she proceeds, she removes the first Grr-Ripper from the board, keeping the 2nd Grr-Ripper in total control.
Now she has placed the first Grr-Ripper back on the board and finishes pushing the board all the way through the cut. With this system, she always had total control of the board.    This is only one type of use. We will be seeing, and adding, many more uses of this Grr-Ripper System in future weeks — particularly when we cut small pieces, not to mention using it with the router tables.    With the two Grr-Rippers, we have spent just over $100. Expensive for a push stick, but this is so much more. It is really a safety system, and safety is priceless.