Opening a pcgs case

NewParadigm · February 27, 2010 12:39PM

Does anybody know how to open a pcgs holder.....without a hammer???

Just opened them..... Jeeezzzz those suckers are like steel!!!! I have a new faith in the quality of the holders

coinman420 · February 27, 2010 12:42PM

yep. boltcutters

derryb · February 27, 2010 12:49PM

hacksaw, left to right, right accross the label. Then easily pry open.

SilverEagles92 · February 27, 2010 12:49PM

Bolt cutters, Vice Grip, Tin Snips, Band Saw...

CarlWohlforth · February 27, 2010 12:50PM

Dremel Moto-tool.

BAJJERFAN · February 27, 2010 12:52PM

Yes. Use somethin like these rah cheer with the longer the handle the better. Just nip the edge of the slab about half way up.

gsaguy · February 27, 2010 12:55PM

What do they call those snips.....not tin snips....they cut cross-ways....like to cut the barely exposed head of a nail. 2, maybe three snips along the edges and the holder pops open.

19Lyds · February 27, 2010 1:04PM

<< hacksaw, left to right, right accross the label. Then easily pry open. >>

So much for returning the label to PCGS to keep the pop reports coreect.

BAJJERFAN · February 27, 2010 1:04PM

<< What do they call those snips.....not tin snips....they cut cross-ways....like to cut the barely exposed head of a nail. 2, maybe three snips along the edges and the holder pops open. >>

The ones I posted are called end cutting pliers..

PawPaul · February 27, 2010 1:05PM

Bushmaster uses a vice !

gsaguy · February 27, 2010 1:07PM

<< 

<< What do they call those snips.....not tin snips....they cut cross-ways....like to cut the barely exposed head of a nail. 2, maybe three snips along the edges and the holder pops open. >>

The ones I posted are called end cutting pliers.. >>

And the one you posted is the one I had in mind.

BAJJERFAN · February 27, 2010 1:26PM

<< 

<< 

<< What do they call those snips.....not tin snips....they cut cross-ways....like to cut the barely exposed head of a nail. 2, maybe three snips along the edges and the holder pops open. >>

The ones I posted are called end cutting pliers.. >>

And the one you posted is the one I had in mind.

>>

All great minds think alike eh Bryan?

robkool · February 27, 2010 2:54PM

Table mounted vise...

DNADave · February 27, 2010 9:37PM

Youtube demonstration.

Disclaimer: I didn't have the volume on so I have no idea what this guy is saying.

DNADave · February 27, 2010 9:39PM

I personally don't like this way.

DNADave · February 27, 2010 9:41PM

I mean, really?

PerryHall · February 27, 2010 9:42PM

<< Table mounted vise... >>

Agree. Wrap it in a towel first in case there are flying shards of plastic and then squeeze slowlt while listening for a pop. Turn the slab 90 degrees and repeat.

DNADave · February 27, 2010 9:44PM

another way

ricko · February 27, 2010 10:19PM

The Dremel tool with a very fine SS grind head, along the seam, works perfectly, with no damages. Cheers, RickO

seemyauction · February 27, 2010 10:29PM

I use a pair of Tile Nippers, they are made for tile but they work very well on plastic.......

I also wear a pair of saftey glasses and leather gloves, the plastic likes to shoot everywhere and is sometimes sharp after broken.

BAJJERFAN · February 27, 2010 10:57PM

<< Bushmaster uses a vice ! >>

A vice is fine for small ANACS and NGC slabs, but I have never tried one for PCGS slabs. Not sure it would work that well for PCGS since it is a different type of plastic and IMO more likely to explode into flying shards under pressure. The key to using a vice is to crack the seals/seams just enough so that you can pick the slab apart. I saw a gent in Milwaukee [used to post here as Texasbulliontraders] open about 10 PCGS slabs in less than a minute with those end cutter pliers.

KiltedOne · February 27, 2010 11:02PM

<< 

<< Table mounted vise... >>

Agree. Wrap it in a towel first in case there are flying shards of plastic and then squeeze slowly while listening for a pop. Turn the slab 90 degrees and repeat. >>

Works every time - never had a problem. Good idea about the towel, I also wear safety glasses when I do it as those little shards can fly!

And I do send my labels back to PCGS when I accumulate a bunch.

derryb · February 28, 2010 2:40AM

<< 

<< hacksaw, left to right, right accross the label. Then easily pry open. >>

So much for returning the label to PCGS to keep the pop reports coreect. >>

send it in two pieces

TigerGirl1398 · February 28, 2010 2:43AM

<< What do they call those snips.....not tin snips....they cut cross-ways....like to cut the barely exposed head of a nail. 2, maybe three snips along the edges and the holder pops open. >>

My dad uses those to cut the gate off of homemade sinkers.

carl · February 28, 2010 3:28AM

Remember this. Many people will suggest methods that create flying pieces of plastic. Those that do may or may not really try those methods but just repeat something they heard. You should be carefull opening those slabs with any proceedure that makes for a flying object. Those that recommend doing those methods will not pay for your medical bills, visit you in the hospital, help vacuum up the pieces, nor even send you flowers while having your eyes operated on to remove that stuff.
To open then simply use a saber saw or Dremel with a variable speed control. To fast and the plastic remelts back together, To slow and pieces fly. A medium toothed blade shoud do the job with no problems. Just remove the edges on at least two sides or more. Pry open with a screwdriver but still watch yourself. Use eye protectors at all times.
When dealing with suggestions on the internet, you may well be listening to someone that actually wants you to get hurt.

Swampboy · February 28, 2010 3:30AM

<< 

<< What do they call those snips.....not tin snips....they cut cross-ways....like to cut the barely exposed head of a nail. 2, maybe three snips along the edges and the holder pops open. >>

My dad uses those to cut the gate off of homemade sinkers. >>

Like this TigerGirl?
These are what I use.
front and back views.

Opening a pcgs case

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