GRR-Ripper and MJ Splitter review

[Bill Esposito]

Hi Folks,

Just posted my review of both the GRR-Ripper and MJ Splitter (http://cerealport.net/woodworking/woodarticles.html).

I plan to add more detail and testing (I have 3 flavors of the splitter) as I use the tools more.

Thanks for looking.

[Ted Shrader]

Bill -

Very thorough reviews. Could you post them here, vice a link to your web site, so they will come up in a search of the Creek and remain permanent (in case you revamp your site and the link changes)?

I have the Gripper and really like using it for narrow rips. Provides excellent control. Have looked at the splitter, but not gotten on yet. Your review was informatibvve.

Regards,
Ted

[Mike Kelly]

Bill, good article. The Grripper is a great tool. I had this mishap earlier this year when I got mine.

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=5785&highlight=microjig

I might add that Henry Wang saw this and sent me replacement parts for something that I tore up. Great product and company. I use the splitters too, even though they would not have prevented what I did. They were not quite available at that time.

Attached are some ideas for splitter placement I created after talking with Henry. Most of what I do is for about 3/4" material and I wanted the splitter closer to the blade so I mounted the splitter closer. Remember that the blade is closer to the splitter on the underside of the plate and not to get it too close or to raise the blade too far or it will eat it up!

[Frank Pellow]

Thanks for the review Bill. The GRR Ripper was already on the list of potential Christmas presents that I gave to my family. (By the way, everything on that list is from Lee Valley.) Your review indicates that I made a good choice.

[Bill Esposito]

Thanks.

Mike,
Yes I had seen your thread a while ago. While I dont know if the splitter would have prevented that it sure couldn't have hurt. One point I try to make in the review in a couple of places is that I think that the GRR-Ripper should always be used with the splitter. I also spoke with Henry and he is considering a GRR-Ripper/Splitter package...if it were me, that's the only way I'd sell the GRR-Ripper.

[Mike Kelly]

Thanks.

Mike,
Yes I had seen your thread a while ago. While I dont know if the splitter would have prevented that it sure couldn't have hurt. One point I try to make in the review in a couple of places is that I think that the GRR-Ripper should always be used with the splitter. I also spoke with Henry and he is considering a GRR-Ripper/Splitter package...if it were me, that's the only way I'd sell the GRR-Ripper.


I concur wholeheartedly with most tablesaw applications, but for dados or router table work it wouldn't make sense.

[Kevin Arceneaux]

SWMBO has seen this and has decreed that we need it! Thanks for the review. Now to find the best deal on both.

[Bill Esposito]

SWMBO has seen this and has decreed that we need it! Thanks for the review. Now to find the best deal on both.

Good, now convince mine that I need a drum sander :)

[Frank Pellow]

Thanks.

Mike,
... One point I try to make in the review in a couple of places is that I think that the GRR-Ripper should always be used with the splitter. I also spoke with Henry and he is considering a GRR-Ripper/Splitter package...if it were me, that's the only way I'd sell the GRR-Ripper.
Hmm.. Lee Valley, who are the only source for the ripper that I know of in Canada, does not even sell the splitter. :(

[Rich Konopka]

Nice review Bill !! I did not know that the MJ could accomodate Thin Kerf blades?? Is that new?

Thanks

[Bill Esposito]

Nice review Bill !! I did not know that the MJ could accomodate Thin Kerf blades?? Is that new?
Thanks

Rich,

Thanks. I dont know how new it is. They have 3 versions. The full Kerf which I currently have installed, a thin kerf which is good for .090-.118 blades, and a double thin kerf which is used to put featherboard pressure on both the keeper and the cutoff.

[Bill Esposito]

Hmm.. Lee Valley, who are the only source for the ripper that I know of in Canada, does not even sell the splitter. :(Frank,
http://dewas.ca/mjsplitter.htm
and http://www.microbois.com/

[Kent Cori]

Bill,

Thanks for the informative review. I really appreciate your insights. I also liked your review of the Kreg miter gauge. Go buy some more tools and let us know how you like them. ;)

[Frank Pellow]

Frank,
http://dewas.ca/mjsplitter.htm
and http://www.microbois.com/
Thanks for doing the "research" for me Bill.

[Ed Falis]

Nice review Bill !! I did not know that the MJ could accomodate Thin Kerf blades?? Is that new?

Thanks

Hi Rich,

Yep, thin-kerf support is new - only the last month or so. And with the double-splitter idea they enhanced the original.

- Ed