Replies

1. 
   jackiechan | Mar 18, 2004 05:21am | #1

   "... I have no guard or splitter..."

   Buzz'!  Gripper system or not - you are playing with fire in which you haven't been burned - yet!!  Before you cut another board, get some safety essentials on that saw pronto!  At the very least buy or fabricate a splitter.  Without a splitter, small pieces can fire back at you like a bullet, larger/longer pieces can come back at you like a cannon blast! 

   If you need it, I can supply you with plans for a few different types of shop built table saw splitters and an over-arm table saw guard.  The cost is next to nothing, but the piece of mind in being able to count to ten on your fingers is priceless!  (Nobody wants to only be able to count to 8.5 or 9.25!)

   Regarding the Gripper system - you have to push the work piece over an unguarded blade, and once through the cut, you are left leaning over the running saw with your arm extended.  It would only take a blink of an eye for the Gripper to accidently glance off the top of the blade while you're pulling you arm back, to either pull you hand into unforgiving carbide or to launch the Gripper back at you!

   If you like the idea of the gripper system, mill up a piece of knot free lumber approx' 3"x3"x15" (can be made from a glue up), glue a block handle to the top, and use some spray adhesive to bond some medium grit wet/dry sandpaper to the bottom - No screws or nails should be used.  The blade will carve the bottom of the block up, but when it gets too bad, bandsaw the bottom off and glue on a fresh wood layer.

   If you have any questions, please feel free to ask!

   Dan Kornfeld, Owner/President - Odyssey Wood Design, Inc.

   
   

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   Edited 3/17/2004 10:23 pm ET by Jackie Chan

   
   

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   Edited 3/17/2004 10:25 pm ET by Jackie Chan

1. 
   Buzzsaw | Mar 18, 2004 02:50pm | #3

   I would love those plans for a "few different types of shop built table saw splitters and an over-arm table saw guard" as you mentioned.  Thanks...Regards,

   Buzzsaw

2. 
   forestgirl | Mar 18, 2004 06:34am | #2

   I have never liked the look of the Gripper system, see the reasons Dan gave above.  You need a splitter at the very least, and a guard too, truth be known.  As far as a hold-down goes, I'd suggest you consider either Board Buddies or the magnetic Grip-Tites.  I prefer the Grip-Tites myself, because they are very useful for ripping thin pieces off safely, in addition to ripping the usual larger dimensioned workpieces.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
   Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

1. 
   TerryH | Mar 18, 2004 03:50pm | #5

   FG,

   I like the Grip tites as well. I use them just about any time I am ripping anything where I can have the overarm guard in place. The GRR-Rippers really shine when the overarm has to be removed for a narrow cut. Using 2 GRR-Rippers in a hand over hand motion makes the narrow rips very safe and much easier than a regular push stick. I was very sceptical of them at first, but after using them I really do think they are a very good addition to my shop.

   TerryRegistered Shopaholic

1. 
   VeniciaL | Mar 18, 2004 05:38pm | #6

   Terry,

   What a website!

   WHAT A SHOP!!!! It's a showroom. It must be a pleasure to work in there.

   Great review on the MJ Splitter. Thanks.

   My only question is - do you actually do any woodworking there? Not a speck of dust! Your shop is cleaner than my kitchen.

   You have certainly set things up well. Best of luck.

   VL

1. 
   TerryH | Mar 18, 2004 11:09pm | #8

   VL,

   Thanks!!! The shop started out innocently enough, then it kinda took over my life. :-)

   TerryRegistered Shopaholic

3. 
   TerryH | Mar 18, 2004 03:43pm | #4

   Buzzsaw,

   I have the GRR-Rippers and I really like them I use them for the TS and the router table. They are certainly worth having in my book.

   You NEED a splitter!!!!! PERIOD!!!! I have an example of a shop made splitter on my site and I also have a review of the Micro-Jig $15 splitter as well. The shop made splitter is in the "Shop Tour" and the MJ splitter review is in the "Tool Reviews".

   Here is the  link to my site:

   http://www.terryhatfield.com

   I also built an over arm guard. Here is the link to the plan:

   http://woodstore.woodmall.com/tabduscolbon.html

   I really like it. There are several pics of it in the "Shop Tour" as well.

   Terry

   Registered Shopaholic
4. 
   quatersawn | Mar 18, 2004 07:50pm | #7

   I have them, and love them. Just keep them clean. Also, a very simple solution for a splitter, if you have wood inserts, is to drill a hole, one size smaller than 1/8 inch , in line with the blade, then insert a 1/8 inch drill bit in the hole. It is adjustable and I've found it to be very useful. The Magnetic buddies are ok, I have them, but the put pressure on the wood after the cut, pushing the wood back up against the side of the balde, unless you have a splitter. Then you set it up perpindicular to the splitter post.

5. 
   G3ne | Mar 19, 2004 02:45am | #9

   I bought a Grrrrripppppper, and like it just fine.  After looking at it, and using it for a few weeks, I think I could have made something just as effective with a 10" piece of 4/4 and some sandpaper and saved $50 - $70.  Just my cheapskate side coming out.

1. 
   Steinmetz | Mar 19, 2004 04:03am | #10

   Geno, you've read my mind  Most of those plastic 'Gizmos' can be made from scrap lumber Before Rockler even thought about selling those aluminum tracks to add to the top of your ripfence, I built my own using sliding door tracks and the flip over cams, that I made from phenolic material.

   All my miter guages are fitted up with the same set ups too. zero clearance throat plates all oak

   Push sticks /tenoning jigs / box joint jigs : All oak  Stein.