How many use the GRR-Ripper?

benush26 · Post by **benush26** » Tue Jan 21, 2014 4:03 pm

heathicus wrote:I watched the video and still don't understand what benefit it has over a sacrificial push block.

Probably control and stability. Which could be user perception.

The handle is situated so you can both press down and press the work piece into the fence. There is also an addition that allows the handle to be skewed even more and personally I believe adds even more control.
The grip padding "feels" stickier than the SS pad, though I have no verifiable measured proof. It also seems to retain less dust needing fewer cleanings(though that may not be factual, again perception).
The foot (black flat piece) that extends out is amazing. I've never had the Gripper tip or slide sideways on me no matter how hard I was pushing.
For me it's a safety from feeling comfortable and safer perspective.

A good friend has a laminated push block with the handle angled up at about 45 degrees and he gets great downward pressure. He added a "side curtain" which forms a 90 degree corner so he could also press against the fence with more force and has made replaceable push pieces for the back end. Frankly it is nearly as good at most things as the Gripper and at a significantly cheaper cost. It works well for him and I doubt he will spend his hard earned cash on a Gripper, but he still likes mine and in my shop will grab it instead of anything that came with the SS.

If you have a woodworking store near by, I would suggest that you take your push block and then try it on a variety of tools and compare to the Gripper. You may or may not see a significant difference.

Just my 2 cents.

Be well,
Ben

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Tue Jan 21, 2014 5:58 pm

Maybe, when I get old and feeble, I'll get one or two of these things. At this time, I just don't see a big advantage for my home shop.

fjimp · Post by **fjimp** » Tue Jan 21, 2014 6:46 pm

Okay I must be old and feeble. I bought a pair thru Amazon for less money. Now have three. I find they do a far better job of controlling direction of stock both on the saw and on my router table. I recently built a large box using dovetail joints. I found the Grrripper made the project simpler and improved my accuracy. Jim

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Tue Jan 21, 2014 6:51 pm

charlese wrote:Maybe, when I get old and feeble, I'll get one or two of these things. At this time, I just don't see a big advantage for my home shop.

Let us know at what advanced age that occurs so we can plan our tool fund to provide for procurement of a couple of these when they become necessary.

I am not holding my breath!:D

fjimp · Post by **fjimp** » Tue Jan 21, 2014 7:05 pm

Last year I had a shoulder replacement. Today my surgeon advised I am a candidate for the same procedure on the other shoulder. I am realizing too late one must protect themselves. I am only 71. Jim

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Tue Jan 21, 2014 7:12 pm

Thank God for my genes. I just hope I am not like the one horse shay!:eek:

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Tue Jan 21, 2014 9:13 pm

JPG40504 wrote:Let us know at what advanced age that occurs so we can plan our tool fund to provide for procurement of a couple of these when they become necessary.:D

I will let you know - as soon as that happens:) Old and feeble isn't the same thing as old and cranky/

I might get a couple of these just to be prepared! Kinda like extra drive belts and set screws.

WmZiggy · Post by **WmZiggy** » Tue Jan 21, 2014 9:35 pm

I think another huge advantage of the GRR-Ripper over SS or any other push stick or system is they "garage" the blade as you use it.

rlkeeney · Post by **rlkeeney** » Wed Jan 22, 2014 6:00 am

I've been looking hard at these. I have read lots of posts here and in other forums, read lots of reviews, and watched all the videos I could find. I'm convinced. So far Amazon has the best deal I've been able to find. It's the GR-420 Pro Model that has two grippers.

[ATTACH]23836[/ATTACH]

freedomlives · Post by **freedomlives** » Wed Jan 22, 2014 8:18 am

Thanks for the info. I'm pretty new to using table saws and will admit that I still don't have all the safety stuff. I used the TS on the SS for ripping long boards this summer and at that time it was only safe because my uncle-in-law had a firm grip on the ripped pieces as they came off the TS and we both kept our hands off the table area away from the blade. I lately have a done a few smaller, wide rips using the hands-securely-attached-to-the-fence approach.

Last September my wife delivered our daughter in the car en route to the hospital with my assistance (car stopped for the last bit!). When she tells people the story I inevitably get asked if I was not afraid. My response is that, in terms of being afraid, it was nothing compared to using a table saw!

I'm going to order one of these, it seems like a good value and like it makes safe operation of the saw simpler.