If you buy Micro Jig’s Grr-Ripper GR-100 3D Pushblock this October 2016, they’ll give you the upgrade kit that turns it into their GR-200 advanced 3D push block model. If you remember back to a month ago, Stuart reviewed the Grr-Ripper GR-100 and definitely recommended it.
The basic Grr-Ripper GR-100 is already quite versatile by itself, but upgrading it to the GR-200 makes it even more versatile. You might not always need the extra functionality, but since they’re offering it as a free upgrade, you have the choice to use it or not, at no added cost.
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The upgrade kit would normally cost you $27, but keep in mind that the price of the GR-100 is $60 and the GR-200 is $80. So if you were planning to buy just the GR-100, this promo saves you the potential $27 upgrade cost later on. If you were planning on buying the GR-200 push block, going with a GR-100 and free upgrade kit saves you $20.
GR-100 vs. GR-200?
The upgrade kit includes the stabilizing plate, adjustable spacer, and the hardware needed to attach them.
The stabilizing plate greatly increases the supporting surface area, compared to the standard grr-Ripper and foot bracket, helping to keep your workpiece stable against a horizontal table or tall vertical fence (such as on a band saw). It also acts like a secondary fence, helping to keep the wood locked against a table saw or router table fence.
There’s a small hook-like projection at the end of the stabilizer plate, which helps to pull a workpiece along, as a miniature push block. Or you can flip the plate around so that it faces away from the workpiece.
The adjustable spacer, shown here as the support block closest to the fence, has 2 different faces – one smooth and one grippy – and can be raised or lowered as needed. The adjustable spacer can be used to support larger stock, and when raised can create a clearance gap above a workpiece, especially for routing applications.
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When used in combination with the rest of the legs, the adjustable spacer gives you 54% more griping area. It can also be raised to keep the block out of the cutting path, such as when edge routing on a router table.
The offer for the free upgrade kit is only valid if you buy your GR-100 Grr-Ripper between 10/1/16 and 10/31/16 and redeem it by 12/31/16. It’s only available in the contiguous USA and you are limited to a total of two free upgrades per customer.
If you buy the Grr-Ripper 3D Pushblock from the Micro Jig site for $60, they will automatically add the upgrade kit to your order and ship both for free. They also offer payment by Amazon so you don’t have to create yet another account.
You also have the option of buying the Grr-Ripper from other retailers, such as Amazon. If you choose to buy from a retailer, you have to fill out this rebate form online. You’ll need to input your address, tell them where you purchased the Gr-100, and upload an image of your receipt.
Buy Now (via Micro Jig)
Buy Now (via Amazon)
See Also(Advanced Model via Amazon – also helpful with more usage examples)
Update: I ordered the Grr-Ripper Sunday night and I received it in the mail (USPS) Wednesday. Rather than ship me the GR-100 with the upgrade kit, they just sent me the GR-200. I suppose that’s an advantage of buying straight from Micro Jig.
fred
I’d been using the original version for almost 10 years and the upgraded version since 2012 – sometimes in pairs on the tablesaw. The fact that you can configure them in different ways and they can clear the top of the spinning blade while still gripping/pushing on the work on both sides of the cutline was the big innovation when the Grr-Ripper was introduced. It is still a great safety feature. Microjig also offers a pushblock with heels that drop by gravity – also a handy tool – and I started using their leg tapering jig (so much safer and better than my homemade one) about 3 years ago.
Nathan
I think I’m about to spend some more money. I want their taper jig too or whatever it’s called.
nice
Farid
Thank you for the tip. Got one on the way!
jay
Thanks. Have seen them at a friends. Just ordered one myself.
Brian Auerbach
Im perplexed by this product… I see an appeal… but I also see a dozen little knobs that make me think bread maker, nifty product that seems great at 2AM. But will I really take the time to configure it for every cut?
fred
I find it really intuitive and easy to use and have been doing so way before I saw Tommy Mac (Thomas J. MacDonald) using it on the PBS show Rough Cut. In a way I’m glad that I found out about it independently back in 2006 – because if the first time I saw it was on a TV show – I might have dismissed it as an advertising product placement. I do have to say, however, that we had professional carpenters in the shop who used it infrequently – preferring other push sticks for most work.
Benjamen
Take it one step at a time, you don’t have to add on all the other attachments until you need them
The basic push block has one adjustment — where the middle leg is. You just adjust this so that it misses the blade.
The there’s the stabilizer – you can add this when you need a larger footprint like say you are ripping narrow stock and the push block will tend to rock off the edge. Then just add the stabilizer.
The larger stabilizer plate helps you keep the stock against the fence, turn it around and it has a lip that can catch the end of the board.
Finally the adjustable spacer is used either for widening the pushblock giving it more contact area. Or if you need something to ride against a fence but there is an edging bit sticking out of the lower part of it, you can raise the spacer and miss the bit and still ride the fence.
So say you understand the basic functions of the GR-100, just getting the spacer block to make the footprint larger is worth the FREE even if you don’t use the stabilizer or stabilizer plate.
firefly
I am in for one. Thanks Ben!
firefly
Got this in the mail a few days ago. It’s a lot heavier than I thought. I didn’t recognize what it is for being so heavy before I open the package. It’s definitely stout, very well build. The gripping material is also consistent. Maybe I got lucky with my first one but the build quality is definitely super. I am impressed.