GRR-Ripper talk if you please

[BigSky]

reible thought you might never ask

[pinkiewerewolf]

I can see the applicatons very well, thanks for sharing the info and clearing up any misconceptions I had concerning the gggripper.
I cringe each time I cut a small piece and it wobbles toward the blade. In fact its gotten to the point where I use the bandsaw to escape some of those issues. (I won't share the bone head move that could have cost me yesterday but lets just say that I need to reduce risk every chance I can.)
The gggripper just might save me from lugging the Band Saw around as much.
It would certainly be quicker to move the Pro Fence in place for a cut.

[reible]

Hi,

Sound like some of you would like to know about how I did the zci so I'll steal this thread and give you a brief view of how I did it.

The material is UHMW plastic which I got as a 3/8" x 4" x 3' sheet. It wasn't purchased for this project but I have used this very same material in the past for zci on my old 500 table... but that is another story. The hard part of the project was figuring out where I could leave the full 3/8" thickness and where it needed to be trimmed down.

I did in this case use the OPR, see the other posting on dust collection on the OPR for details about the "snow". (https://forum.shopsmith.com/viewtopic.php?t=2454)

The only trick was as to what router bit to use. The bit I picked is sometimes called a bowl, dish or sometimes even a tray bit. They are used to cut the bottoms in things like the speciality boxes that were mentioned in another post about Rockler gift ideas (https://forum.shopsmith.com/viewtopic.php?t=2459)
This type of bit is designed to cut both the sides, the rounded corner and the flat bottom all at the same time.

While the OPR was used I would do it the same way on a router table. Once I sized the blank to the correct width (saw) I then set up a fence, the fence has to be able to have the bit set back in it and only expose part of the bit. Again this is the same with either router set up. Next I set the depth/height of the bit to give me the thickness I wanted, and set the fence to take off the amount I wanted to remove from the edge. Now you do the two long edges. I then reset the fence depth and with the aid of a square of wood held against the fence and the zci against that made a front and rear pass. Moved the fence to allow the final cut along the front and ran that. Flipped the zci around and did pass along the back... reset fence as needed to do the rest of the cuts on the back. Reset the fence and used another helper block cut at an angle to get the funny looking bit at the front. (Fence and helper block locked and zci slid in to bit, set up on other side by flipping helper block over and resetting distance, locking in place and again feeding zci into bit.)

The other operations are like any other zci you make.

I haven't tried it but I think 1/2" material would work as well if you wanted it even more stable.

Ed

[reible]

OK Dusty I will not make you buy this setup.

Since I do budget I also make sure I buy at least a few safety related items each year. In this case I got the MK splitter and one Grr-ripper to see how I like them, then after using them a couple of months I picked up the second Grr-ripper. They were budgeted for in 2007 and that is why I had money to get them. This comming year I'm planning to purchase some board buddies, they have been around for some years and I've looked at them several times... 2009 they made the list.

Of couse making the list and actually buying them might or might not happen depending on things like repairs that are required etc. This year my repair budget was used to upgrade the scroll saw and now I find I have a few repairs that are on hold pending next years funds. Oh well that is how it goes.

I should also say not everything I buy turns out to be useful. I got a thing called a "finger saver" or some such name (maybe 10 years ago), I think it was nearly $30. The idea is you have this clamp with handles and you grab small parts and hold then while you route. It does some of what it says but it is hard to control the parts as to keeping them flat on the table... well for me it was a waste money, it is now hinding deep in the bottom of one of my router tables. I come across it every now and then but it has been years since I used it. And you know what Dusty you don't have to buy one of these either, and in fact I hope you don't.

I would have excepting to saying these are just push blocks, that is like saying a shopsmith is just a saw.

And for everyone reading I'm not sure if I made it clear that these are products from one company but you don't have to use the splitters and grr-rippers together. If you like the idea of the splitters just get them, if you like the idea of grr-ripper just get them... how shell I say this, they function on there own I guess is what I'm trying to say.

Ed

I'll keep this short! .......and

I'll keep and use what I have, thank you.

I too still have all ten fingers and I see no reason to change. The push blocks, push sticks and riving knife work fine.

Ed, you speak of an equipment budget. I find it hard to believe that these cost figures actually fit into a "budget".

Anyone who thinks the Shopsmith is an expensive piece of shop equipment will certainly see these costs as too much for a push block and riving knife.

As I said, I'll keep and use what I have.

I did find your photos of the zci very interesting. You do some really fine work. That zci looked to be professionally done.

[Ed in Tampa]

Peachtree has the MicroJig Grr-Ripper 230
on sale for $53.99 they claim it is 40% off
http://www.ptreeusa.com/edirect_black_friday_3.htm

[shydragon]

I know, I know, I was just adding some items to my cart

[reible]

The photos from Flickr are now below.

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The remaining 3 are to follow

Ed

[reible]

And with these 3 that is all of them.
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Ed