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 Replies: 27 / Views: 3,257 |
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Valued Member
United States
158 Posts |
I have tried several methods of breaking a coin out of a slab. Does anyone have any good advice. Its always a harrowing experience setting them free to roam in coin book with there friends  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1374 Posts |
I imagine a band saw would work great. Why are you busting slabs?
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New Member
United States
3 Posts |
It's best to keep them slabbed so you have the grade on there. Don't they lose value if you take them out *cost of slabbing*?
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1502 Posts |
dremel with a plastic cutting bit would do too
I'm all for freeing the coins from their plastic coffins.
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Valued Member
United States
424 Posts |
Done quite a few by hitting the corners on the seam with a hammer and chisel.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4897 Posts |
A Dremel will get them out of those awful plastic prisons...  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7840 Posts |
I have heard of the "moto-tool" method before...why do you want to risk it?
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1610 Posts |
Depends on the quality of the slab, broke open a crappy NNC slab with a screwdriver.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1554 Posts |
Get a pliers, grab on and twist.
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Valued Member
United States
139 Posts |
Small pair of bolt cutters. Bought mine at Lowes. Cut into slab (PCGS)at either 3:00 or 9:00 position from the coin. Slab will snap accross it and your coiin will be free! Was scared at first, but I read this elsewhere. Tried it on a few cheap slabbed coins and it works. NGC are harder using this method.
Jim
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
As noted the best and safest method is to use a Dremel type tool with a cutting saw type blade. However, if possible a variable speed one it preferred. The reason is as you cut the edges off with any fast moving blade, the plastic tends to melt right back into place. A saber saw will work just as well but again, use a blade with average tooth spacing. Metal cutting blades tend to work well but slowly melt the plastic back in place. To few teeth and it will possibly shatter. Even a Hack saw or copping saw will work.
Just cut off the ends, insert a screwdriver into the end and twist.
What ever you do, do NOT use pliers, bold cutters or any such tool since they usually may cause the plastic to shatter and fly all over. AND if one of those piees of plastic should hit your eyes, you'll be to late to say I shouldn't have listened to those that said that.
Remember when breaking open a slab, be carefull of flying pieces of plastic. Those that say to just use something to break them open will NOT visit you in the hospital, will NOT help pay for the operations, will NOT help with the medical bills.
Always better to be safe than sorry.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
531 Posts |
I prefer the band saw method, a quick pass on all four sides and the front and back lift away from the coin. However, I recognize that not all will have access to a band saw.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3276 Posts |
I wouldn't recommend it, but I broke my slabs by hitting the edges really hard with a maglight until a part of the edge come a little separated. then I wedge a knife in the side to pry it open. Lol. Not at all a method I would recommend, but it worked and I had no other alternatives on hand.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1888 Posts |
I wrap the slab in a towel and squeeze it lengthwise in a big vise.
Pops it open very cleanly and easily- no tools like dremel or band saw needed which most folks do not have, no risk to the coin and no tiny plastic residue from sawing to sweep up.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2295 Posts |
Definitely wear protective eye gear.
And any before and after pictures?
What coin are you liberating?
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Quote:
I wouldn't recommend it, but I broke my slabs by hitting the edges really hard with a maglight until a part of the edge come a little separated. then I wedge a knife in the side to pry it open. Lol. I always wondered why there are so many Maglights for sale at flea markets with all sorts of dents. Quote:
I wrap the slab in a towel and squeeze it lengthwise in a big vise.
I always wondered why people get scratches on their faces from a towel. And as noted make sure no matter what you try, wear protective eye glasses. |
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Replies: 27 / Views: 3,257 |
Posted 03/07/2012 9:06 pm
