Cracking GAI holders?

qmayer · August 13, 2002 4:18AM

Any techniques for cracking GAI holders? My brother got a 74 McCovey Washington variation GAI 7 that he wants in a PSA holder.

BigKidAtHeart · August 13, 2002 5:04AM

<< <i>My brother got a 74 McCovey Washington variation GAI 7 that he wants in a PSA holder. >>

Does He mind it being in a PSA 5 or 6 holder?

qualitycards · August 13, 2002 5:08AM

Even if it comes back a "7", your talking about a $20.ish card. So if you add your brothers initial cost on the card, then the grading & shipping fees for PSA, it may not be worthwhile...jay

Cubfan · August 13, 2002 5:46AM

Still though, what is the best way to crack a SGC, GAI or whatever slab? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

BigKidAtHeart · August 13, 2002 5:54AM

I have never cracked a GAI slab, but SGC is easy, a butter knife or screw driver in the edge, then crack is slowly down the edge, like an oyster.

Here is a GREAT article that describes EXACTLY how to do it!

qmayer · August 13, 2002 6:31AM

I think he was more concerned with it being in a different slab from the rest of his set.

I do like how the GAI holders (or should it be just "GA"?) have the card information on the top edge so you can put all your cards in order without having to look at the front. Something like that would be conducive to the way the slab fits together. If PSA were to do something like that, they would have to re-engineer their flips and slabs. Has anyone made something that you could fit over the top of a PSA slab with all the info?

gaspipe26 · August 13, 2002 6:35AM

I've cracked out 2 cards and had to take off a good size chunk of the corner before you can slip a small screwdriver in there to remove the card. There the toughest to open. Also, GAI is as tough on grading if not tougher than PSA so there isnt really and comcern that the card doesnt grade 6-8 if it was a 7.

jrinck · August 13, 2002 6:47AM

The best way to crack any slab is simply to send it to yourself via the USPS in a non-padded envelope!

qmayer · August 13, 2002 7:43AM

Gaspipe-

Did you take a hacksaw to the corner?

gaspipe26 · August 13, 2002 1:20PM

Actually I used large toenail clippers. It takes a few minutes but it seemed to work the best.

BigKidAtHeart · August 13, 2002 2:08PM

<< <i>Did you take a hacksaw to the corner? >>

I have done the hacksaw thing...
sometimes if you go to fast
it gets real hot and the plastic will melt and kind of Fuse together
making it tough to get seperated at that point

PlayBall · August 13, 2002 2:40PM

qmayer,

GAI holders are pretty easy to crack. Just take a small flathead screwdriver and wedge it into one of the edges near a corner. Then give it a little "wrist twist", and continue doing this along all 4 edges. It will part like the Red Sea. Don't get impatient and try to pull the card out after only cracking a couple of edges. The plastic may snap and damage your card, or you could ding it trying to pull it out.

Bernie

Cracking GAI holders?

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