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Cracking A Slab

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 Posted 04/08/2015  10:31 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add SsuperDdave to your friends list
There is no slab which will resist a Dremel.

Seriously, that's how I do it. I cut all 4 sides of the bottom pane which holds the coin, and am then able to just lift off the upper piece to expose the coin. No chance whatsoever of mucking up the coin, as long as you're good with a Dremel. I use the metal cutting disks, and attention must be paid to avoid melting your work back together after you've passed.

Cracking-A-Slab
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 Posted 04/08/2015  10:34 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add spaceace to your friends list
I wrap the slab in a towel and put it lengthwise in a vice and slowly turn the handle until I start to hear a nice crack. Usually that does it. Sometimes it takes an extra crank or two on the vise but that seems to work well for me. Once the slab starts to crack I can usually pry it apart and remove the coin without damage.
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 Posted 04/08/2015  11:13 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add CoinHuntingDrew to your friends list
I've never had a reason to break open a slab, however I have a 2004 S L&C nickel that's graded "PR-70" (yeah right) by SGS. It's more so a PF68 or PF69CAM. Those SGS holders are complete and absolute garbage. Towel + mallet + maybe 2-3 hits = done
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 Posted 04/08/2015  11:14 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add brenpickle to your friends list
I use SuperDave's method, but in a primitive way. I use a handheld can opener, in place of the dremel.
Edited by brenpickle
04/08/2015 11:15 pm
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 Posted 04/09/2015  04:53 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add denco7 to your friends list
Tin snips here. Less than $10 at the home improvement store. Cuts the slabs like butter, no coin damage. Done it 20 or 30 times.
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 Posted 04/09/2015  09:43 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add just carl to your friends list

Quote:
There is no slab which will resist a Dremel.

And you have a tool good for many other things too.
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 Posted 04/09/2015  10:02 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add Afab67 to your friends list
Outstanding. Thank you all for the tips.
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 Posted 04/09/2015  1:53 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add SilverStackerKid to your friends list
Lol! I don't have a lot of slabbed coins but the few I do will stay in because they are pcgs and ngc.
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 Posted 04/09/2015  3:22 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add Cascade to your friends list
Even pcgs and ngc slabs get the Marceles Wallace treatment sometimes
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 Posted 04/09/2015  4:47 pm  Show Profile   Check 52Raymo's eBay Listings Bookmark this reply Add 52Raymo to your friends list
Hammer time !
Oregon coin geek.....*** GO BEAVS ! ! ! ***
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 Posted 04/10/2015  12:27 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add Tbone to your friends list
I recently picked up these at Home Depot for $19.95, and they work very, very well.

I find it's a good idea to cover what I'm doing under a towel to prevent small pieces of plastic to fly in a bad direction.

They only slabs that take a little muscle are the PCGS ones. They are just plain sturdy.



Cracking-A-Slab
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 Posted 04/10/2015  12:48 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add yooper to your friends list
Just broke open 2 with a hammer. No problem.
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 Posted 04/10/2015  1:54 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add pawpaw34 to your friends list

I run them down three sides on my scrol saw. Then just open em up.
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