The New Grripper 230

[John Hunter]

While looking through the mailer from the Wood Working Show I see that Grripper has a new model out that is only available at the shows. I will attend the Chicago Show this Saturday and will sure check it out. I have a friend that has the Model 200 and loves it, I was planning to get one but now will see if the 230 has any advantages I can't live without.

[jonathan55]

While looking through the mailer from the Wood Working Show I see that Grripper has a new model out that is only available at the shows. I will attend the Chicago Show this Saturday and will sure check it out. I have a friend that has the Model 200 and loves it, I was planning to get one but now will see if the 230 has any advantages I can't live without.

Let us know what it is like! I'd be interested in picking up another at the show in Columbus.

Jonathan

[Knottscott]

The one I saw at the show has a removable hook on the back that mine doesn't have. Dunno if that's what denotes the 200 from the 230 or not....

[John Hunter]

Let us know what it is like! I'd be interested in picking up another at the show in Columbus.

Jonathan

Will do!

[John Hunter]

I picked up the 230. It has several extras. For one it allows two grippers to be connected together and it is a chip shield. It also has an improved handle that spreads pressure. There is also the ability to use a trailing hook to assist feeding the work piece on the table saw or router table.

[final_t]

I picked up the 230. It has several extras. For one it allows two grippers to be connected together and it is a chip shield. It also has an improved handle that spreads pressure. There is also the ability to use a trailing hook to assist feeding the work piece on the table saw or router table.

I bought the add-on that gives the handle offsetting and the trailing hook - it was a cheap upgrade ($15?) at the time. I like it a lot.

Micro Jigs web site is a HORRIBLE mess. I was able to finally find the connector and sheild thingy:

http://www.microjig.com/MJDeflectorConnector.htm

I'm not sold on that as it's designed to be used - it looks like it would really get in the way. Also hooking up two GR200's in tandem is, IMHO, not great - I've seen two used in a leapfrog pattern for long boards and I think that's a good usage.
Connecting them side-by-side to make a wider overall unit might be good, but unless you can apply pressure to both (both hands over the saw? NO!) with a single handle, not gonna happen.
The *only* configuration of this that I saw worth it was the sheild to the side and using the tool to hold down a round item on the router table. And even then I'd consider the GR200 the wrong tool for the job.

[John Hunter]

I bought the add-on that gives the handle offsetting and the trailing hook - it was a cheap upgrade ($15?) at the time. I like it a lot.

Micro Jigs web site is a HORRIBLE mess. I was able to finally find the connector and shield thingy:

http://www.microjig.com/MJDeflectorConnector.htm

I'm not sold on that as it's designed to be used - it looks like it would really get in the way. Also hooking up two GR200's in tandem is, IMHO, not great - I've seen two used in a leapfrog pattern for long boards and I think that's a good usage.
Connecting them side-by-side to make a wider overall unit might be good, but unless you can apply pressure to both (both hands over the saw? NO!) with a single handle, not gonna happen.
The *only* configuration of this that I saw worth it was the shield to the side and using the tool to hold down a round item on the router table. And even then I'd consider the GR200 the wrong tool for the job.

I agree, I love the trailing hook and the better handle setup but do not think I will be using the connector or the chip shield.

[Howard]

I'm interested in getting one of these. I suppose this means the Shark Guard is no longer necessary? I like the edge jointing feature as I don't have a jointer yet. That makes it worth the money right there. Uh, oh... going close to a woodcraft this morning...