Micro Jig Gripper

[Landlubber Mike]

I'm getting close to the point of cutting strip wood on my Byrnes table saw, and have been looking into ways to improve the safety of how I operate it.  One thing I came across recently was this Micro Jig Gripper system.  Has anyone used it on a hobby table saw?  There is an attachment that allows you to cut strips as thin as 1/8" (second link below).  It gets very good reviews, and seems like a very good safety option.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Micro-Jig-GR-100-GRR-Ripper/dp/B001I9UNWC/ref=sr_1_5?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1406298396&sr=1-5

 

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003E65XXQ/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_img?_encoding=UTF8&colid=Q98WCH1760LZ&coliid=IHRUH9PG7315D

 

 

It's not cheap, but if it saves my fingers, it seems worth every penny.

[jud]

Are you sure it will work on yours Byrnes Table Saw? Looks like it is made for a full size saw. There have been some posts about making sleds to do the same thing, home made but look good and reports say work well.

jud

[Justin P.]

Looks like the second link would work well.  I have not ever used one, but I bet even if it were not meant for a hobby saw you could fashion something similar yourself without much trouble.

[Landlubber Mike]

Jud, it's 7"x4.5"x4.5", so it will take up quite a bit of the Byrnes table.  I don't know if this is a problem or not.  Otherwise, from what I can tell, it looks like it's adjustable enough to work with wood on the scale that we use in this hobby.

 

Maturin, I think you're right that you can probably build something very similar on a smaller scale.

[Q A's Revenge]

Whatever you get just stay safe, power tools don't take prisoners!

[Landlubber Mike]

It looks like the guy here at the 1:30 mark is using the gizmo on his hobby table saw:

 

 

So it looks like with the 1/8" attachment you can cut very thin stock down to 1/8"/3.12mm.  That seems like it would work very well for cutting most scale planks in our hobby.  It's not cheap, but I might give it a try.  Working with the table saw really makes my back end pucker up, so this might help for most table saw jobs.

[Q A's Revenge]

Anything that improves safety is a good idea in my book. It may seem expensive at first but what price do you put on your fingers!

 

Let us know how you get on with it, I'm sure others will want to know your thoughts.

[Haliburton]

Was there ever any update on experiences people have had using the micro jig GRR-Ripper with the Byrnes table saw?

[Haliburton]

Since posting I found a separate thread where it looks like Landlubber Mike gave the micro-jig gripper a thumbs up while using on his Byrnes.

[Canute]

What thread, sir?

[Chuck Seiler]

I use it and I find it quite helpful.  My 1/8" attachment is a bit thinner than 1/8" these days, however.

[Landlubber Mike]

Sorry for never updating this thread. After two years, I still love it! I use it all the time except when cutting very thin strips less than 1/8" when I use push sticks. I'm a lot more comfortable using my Byrnes saw, but my fingers are well worth the cost of the Grr Ripper. I never got around to building a sled, but haven't felt the need for one with the Grr Ripper.

Edited August 30, 2016 by Landlubber Mike

[Haliburton]

Hi Ken (Canute) I actually found the link to the modelshipworld site using a google search! I'm not tech savvy enough to be able to reproduce the link to the thread I unearthed but now that we've got Landlubber Mike's confirmation on this thread along with Chuck, there's no need! I see there are multiple gripper models and an additional deflector that can be added. If you go to the micro jig website you can see the options. Thanks Landlubber Mike for updating and Chuck for your comment. I think I will be picking one of these up, right after I get my Byrnes saw that is!

[Canute]

Thanks, guys. Went to the Micro Jig website. Will be spending some time there later. :D

[DocBlake]

I just purchased one!  Delivery next week.

[Julie Mo]

I have a couple of Grr-Rippers and use them all the time on my full-size table saw.  I have probably ripped to about 1/8" thickness, maybe less. 

One possible problem with milling the smaller parts required in model building could be with the thickness of the narrowest "guide leg", I'll call it.  It's 0.235" wide. 

 

One of the big benefits of the Grr-Ripper is it straddles the saw blade enabling you to guide the wood through on both sides of the blade.  This prevents the piece wedged between the fence and blade from shooting back at you. If you want to use that feature for ripping planks, for instance, the planks have to be at least as wide as the guide leg, almost 6mm. 

 

You could take the Grr-Ripper to the table saw and rip one guide leg thinner.  It's all plastic with a rubber foot and designed not to damage a saw blade.  If modified to meet the needs of model makers, I could see the Grr-Ripper as a very useful, and safe, tool.

[Chuck Seiler]

You can get a 1/8 inch replacement leg.  That's .125" wide...at least it WAS until I started using it on smaller stuff.  Now mine is .06 wide at the bottom.  :-)