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
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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.
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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.
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It is simple to lay out the parts just as in the manual. Most of
the parts are easy to identify.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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I put two
together in about 20 minutes of time. Now it is time to start using it.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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As she
proceeds, she removes the first Grr-Ripper from the board, keeping the 2nd Grr-Ripper in
total control.
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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.
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