Micro Jig Model GR200 Advanced GRR-Ripper System
Most workshops don’t need another pushblock or pushstick, unless it does something that the other jigs can’t. Micro Jig touts its GRR-Ripper as a complete “guidance and control system,” offering stock-feeding solutions that are safer and more accurate than shop-made jigs. Curious to see if this $80 contraption could makes straighter cuts and keep my fingers out of harm’s way, I tested a pair in my shop.
Setup And Trial Run
I transformed the bags of hardware and parts into a functional tool within 15 minutes, but it took me a few days in the shop to begin to realize the GRR-Ripper’s versatility.
I immediately discovered that the jig offered more control than my other pushers; no doubt a result of the high friction pads on the adjustable and fixed legs. When used together, the pads provide 16 square inches of contact. Such tenacity is perfect at the router table and tablesaw when handling MDF or other slick stock.
While using the jig at different machines, soon appreciated the benefits of that bagful of parts. At the tablesaw, the adjustable center leg enabled the GRRRipper to support the main stock and offcut completely through the cut, reducing the risk of kickback or burning without sacrificing the jig to the saw blade (below). For ripping or resawing thin stock, the adjustable support worked like a sailboat’s outrigger, balancing the jig on the workpiece and tabletop, eliminating the chance of tipping the stock in mid-cut. At the router table, the adjustable spacer kept the stock against the fence as the main pads fed it past the bit.
Best Applications
You already know when you need a pushblock; the real question is when is the GRR-Ripper worth the investment. For me, this jig earns its keep for ripping thin strips and veneers. Previously, I would rip on the free side of the blade and reposition the fence after each cut. With this jig I can safely rip strips on the fence side without needing to reposition the fence.
At the router table, the flat sides allow me to rout full-profile bullnose edges without the sniping that typically occurs at the end of the cut. By positioning the GRR-Ripper’s sides against the infeed and outfeed fences, the jig bridges both fences while the pads prevented the stock from tilting into the bit.
(To see additional uses, check out the GRR-Ripper videos at microjig.com.)
Tester’s Take
The GRR-Ripper is pricey, but it’s an excellent small stock handler. Once you own it, you’ll likely use it for larger stock as well. To make the most of this jig, I recommend buying the 1⁄8" side leg for ripping thinner strips and the handle bridge so that you can skew the handle for a more comfortable grip.
GRR-Ripper Model GR200 #820434 $79.99 1⁄8"
Side Leg Accessory #845406 $13.99
Handle Bridge Set #146915 $13.99
Tester: Jody Garrett
