My first crack out (OTS)

hamster7 · May 7, 2017 10:29AM

I went boldly ahead and used a tile cutter instead of looking for crack out wisdom on the internet.

Things I learned:
A. The label area (top) and coin area (bottom) are separate containers; I cracked off the label and still didn't have the coin out
B. Elbow grease was required
C. I should find a better way to do this! Plastic flies everywhere. I was even admonished by my 8 year old.
D. The edge holder is flexible; that's what my son is squeezing in the picture

Album post coming...
(And yes we started collecting state quarters just now. Late to the party.)

Coinstartled · May 7, 2017 10:38AM

Anacs is a good holder to learn on....

Goldbully · May 7, 2017 11:08AM

a bandsaw with a 5/8" or less blade is safe, clean, and fast.

Kccoin · May 7, 2017 11:52AM

Looks like fun!

bolivarshagnasty · May 7, 2017 12:32PM

Many ways to do this. If you don't have a bandsaw, try wrapping the slab with a paper towel, folding the ends in to contain the plastic slivers. Use a hammer while holding the slab firmly in the center, and tap on all four sides working your way around against a hard surface. Carefully unfold the paper towel. If you have used enough force, the slab halves should pry apart fairly easy. Don't pry anywhere near the coin itself. Retrieve the coin and rubber surround. All of the plastic will be in the paper towel that you can now discard. Don't forget to save the label to send in at a later date with others.

Twobitcollector · May 7, 2017 3:30PM

This is what I use

Zoins · May 7, 2017 3:34PM

@Twobitcollector said:
This is what I use

Why did you crack out PF69UC Early Releases? Trying for 70s?

oih82w8 · May 7, 2017 3:43PM

I don't do many crack outs, but when I do, I use a vise and sloooowly apply pressure on the long sides and go from there.

Twobitcollector · May 7, 2017 3:57PM

@Zoins said:

@Twobitcollector said:
This is what I use

Why did you crack out PF69UC Early Releases? Trying for 70s?

I put them in Dansco albums. When I was doing the set some I bought in OGP and some in PF69Ucam/dcam.
Anyway that's how I like my ASE's.

DIMEMAN · May 7, 2017 5:10PM

@Goldbully said:
a bandsaw with a 5/8" or less blade is safe, clean, and fast.

If you don't have a band saw.......a table saw works real good too.

hamster7 · May 7, 2017 5:21PM

@oih82w8 said:
I don't do many crack outs, but when I do, I use a vise and sloooowly apply pressure on the long sides and go from there.

I have done this for an OGP proof set.> @bolivarshagnasty said:

Many ways to do this. If you don't have a bandsaw, try wrapping the slab with a paper towel, folding the ends in to contain the plastic slivers. Use a hammer while holding the slab firmly in the center, and tap on all four sides working your way around against a hard surface. Carefully unfold the paper towel. If you have used enough force, the slab halves should pry apart fairly easy. Don't pry anywhere near the coin itself. Retrieve the coin and rubber surround. All of the plastic will be in the paper towel that you can now discard. Don't forget to save the label to send in at a later date with others.

I will try this next time. Thanks!

DIMEMAN · May 7, 2017 5:51PM

@hamster7 said:

@oih82w8 said:
I don't do many crack outs, but when I do, I use a vise and sloooowly apply pressure on the long sides and go from there.

I have done this for an OGP proof set.> @bolivarshagnasty said:

Many ways to do this. If you don't have a bandsaw, try wrapping the slab with a paper towel, folding the ends in to contain the plastic slivers. Use a hammer while holding the slab firmly in the center, and tap on all four sides working your way around against a hard surface. Carefully unfold the paper towel. If you have used enough force, the slab halves should pry apart fairly easy. Don't pry anywhere near the coin itself. Retrieve the coin and rubber surround. All of the plastic will be in the paper towel that you can now discard. Don't forget to save the label to send in at a later date with others.

I will try this next time. Thanks!

I would NEVER hit a slab with a hammer.........a good way to get a scratch on coin with plastic sliver. Just make 4 cuts with saw and lift apart.....no way to hurt coin this way.

bolivarshagnasty · May 7, 2017 6:17PM

@DIMEMAN said:

@hamster7 said:

@oih82w8 said:
I don't do many crack outs, but when I do, I use a vise and sloooowly apply pressure on the long sides and go from there.

I have done this for an OGP proof set.> @bolivarshagnasty said:

Many ways to do this. If you don't have a bandsaw, try wrapping the slab with a paper towel, folding the ends in to contain the plastic slivers. Use a hammer while holding the slab firmly in the center, and tap on all four sides working your way around against a hard surface. Carefully unfold the paper towel. If you have used enough force, the slab halves should pry apart fairly easy. Don't pry anywhere near the coin itself. Retrieve the coin and rubber surround. All of the plastic will be in the paper towel that you can now discard. Don't forget to save the label to send in at a later date with others.

I will try this next time. Thanks!

I would NEVER hit a slab with a hammer.........a good way to get a scratch on coin with plastic sliver. Just make 4 cuts with saw and lift apart.....no way to hurt coin this way.

I would NEVER place my hand that close to a table saw blade and I've used power tools all of my life.

hamster7 · May 7, 2017 7:31PM

No electric saws in my garage, so I'll have to resort to manual efforts. I do have a vice I can try.

oih82w8 · May 7, 2017 8:41PM

@hamster7 said:
No electric saws in my garage, so I'll have to resort to manual efforts. I do have a vice I can try.

If you have a hard time finding a "vice" try a "vise".

ChrisH821 · May 7, 2017 8:46PM

I have found that the yellow anacs slabs are easy to open by simply putting a large flat screwdriver against the side and twisting. Don't pry or push, just twist, and the two sides of the slab come apart more or less intact. Kind of scary how cleanly some of them come apart.

hamster7 · May 7, 2017 9:10PM

@oih82w8 said:

@hamster7 said:
No electric saws in my garage, so I'll have to resort to manual efforts. I do have a vice I can try.

If you have a hard time finding a "vice" try a "vise".

Doh! I have too many vices, but only one vise in the garage.

skier07 · May 7, 2017 9:14PM

Wrap slab with rag or dish towel and use a vise. It works perfectly.

ricko · May 8, 2017 4:53AM

This subject comes up periodically... with the same solutions offered each time. One I have used, and have not seen listed, is standing the slab on long edge and placing a one inch wide chisel blade on the seam, then give it a whack....almost always splits it nicely... once in a while, it takes another whack. Cheers, RickO

EldoEsq · May 8, 2017 7:30AM

I use a dremel with a cut-off wheel. Very easy and almost no chance of damaging the coin!

ModCrewman · May 8, 2017 8:10AM

PCGS ones come apart very well with one of these, I put it right at 3:00 (or 9:00) of the coin and there is usually a clean break across the coin and you can slide the ring right out. NGC I use the same method, but usually need to hit both sides with it as they are less brittle.

Kkathyl · May 8, 2017 8:42AM

I have a few to crack out myself Here is to the Cracker

DIMEMAN · May 8, 2017 8:51AM

@bolivarshagnasty said:

@DIMEMAN said:

@hamster7 said:

@oih82w8 said:
I don't do many crack outs, but when I do, I use a vise and sloooowly apply pressure on the long sides and go from there.

I have done this for an OGP proof set.> @bolivarshagnasty said:

Many ways to do this. If you don't have a bandsaw, try wrapping the slab with a paper towel, folding the ends in to contain the plastic slivers. Use a hammer while holding the slab firmly in the center, and tap on all four sides working your way around against a hard surface. Carefully unfold the paper towel. If you have used enough force, the slab halves should pry apart fairly easy. Don't pry anywhere near the coin itself. Retrieve the coin and rubber surround. All of the plastic will be in the paper towel that you can now discard. Don't forget to save the label to send in at a later date with others.

I will try this next time. Thanks!

I would NEVER hit a slab with a hammer.........a good way to get a scratch on coin with plastic sliver. Just make 4 cuts with saw and lift apart.....no way to hurt coin this way.

I would NEVER place my hand that close to a table saw blade and I've used power tools all of my life.

Your hands are not any closer to blade than when pushing wood thru. There is really no problem as long as you have a firm grip on the slab.

My first crack out (OTS)

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