What's the easiest way to crack a PCGS slab?

KurtHorn · April 4, 2005 7:56AM

I've got a couple of PCGS coins I need to crack. I just used the search feature and found 4 threads on cracking. One guy uses a C-clamp and hurts his hands. Someone else uses a hammer and screwdriver.

In the past I find that hammer and screwdriver are messy and dangerous. Plus I almost always end up resorting to my bolt cutters anyway. It's a very violent way to get the coin out and I'm afraid of damaging them.

I've been trying to find a better way. Any suggestions? -Kurt-

darlcoin · April 4, 2005 8:00AM

Personally a Clamp is what I use and it works pretty well.It is totally clean and it surely doesn't damage the coin.However those PCGS holders are pretty darn tough.You can use a saw to just saw of the corners.Then you take a screw driver to open it.

LucyBop · April 4, 2005 8:01AM

a hammer is so simple, get some eye protection, and just hit the slab hard enough to start cracking open, then you can usually seperate the slab with your hands...

Gonfunko · April 4, 2005 8:02AM

I like smacking at the label part of the slab with a hammer until it cracks, and tapping around the perimeter of the slab. You can usually get some cracks to extend onto the coin part - these pieces of plastic can then be pulled off, enabling you to free the coin.

pharmer · April 4, 2005 8:02AM

End cutters were suggested to me when I first came on, they work great, and I had tried all the other methods before.

-Ol one-eye Bill

Russ · April 4, 2005 8:11AM

The universal tool.

Russ, NCNE

nwcs · April 4, 2005 8:24AM

I just use a dremel and saw off the outside edges.

airplanenut · April 4, 2005 8:26AM

What bit do you use with the dremel? I tried the discs, and they melted the plastic, got stuck, and then cracked

The drill bit cutting thing seemed just to melt the plastic more... sealing it tighter.

Jeremy

paigowjohnny · April 4, 2005 8:28AM

nwcs · April 4, 2005 8:32AM

<< <i>What bit do you use with the dremel? I tried the discs, and they melted the plastic, got stuck, and then cracked

The drill bit cutting thing seemed just to melt the plastic more... sealing it tighter.

Jeremy >>

I use the regular disc cutter. I had the same problem but figured out the trick. I have the cordless 2 speed deal. I just use the lower speed (7500 rpm) and do quick strokes to get it halfway through and back up and then down on the next section down the side. Then I flip it over and cut the other half and it just snaps off with no effort and keeps it from melting together. The last one I cut up took about 2-3 minutes to go around all the sides and the front just lifted right off.

Tootawl · April 4, 2005 9:03AM

I used small tin snips and cut into the top edge and a little bit along the sides. I then got a flat tipped screwdriver and pried the sucker open. Very little mess. Always use eye protection no matter what method you use.

Russ · April 4, 2005 9:34AM

You guys sure make it complicated.

Russ, NCNE

markglicker · April 4, 2005 9:38AM

I haven't tried it, but a customer of mine uses a wood etching device, simply melts around the perimeter of the holder. No flying plasitc

D · April 4, 2005 9:39AM

Bolt Cutters.

-Daniel

CharlotteDude · April 4, 2005 10:31AM

The safest way is to use end cutters. Take the edge of the end cutter blade and cut down on the outside lip of the slab, next to the coin. (Put the edge up against the raised lip on the edge of the slab). The cutters will cut through the edge of the slab, cracking it entirely apart across the coin (although not necessarily a perfectly straight line). It's a very clean cut, with very little danger to damaging the coin.
________________
| ______________ |
| | 1846-C | |
| | $5 AU-55 | |
| |_____________| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | * ** | |
| | ** ** * |x|<---Cut here
| | ******* | |
| | ****** | |
| | *** | |
| |_____________| |
|_______________|

carl · April 4, 2005 10:45AM

This question comes up almost as often as cleaning coins. I tried a miter saw with a fine toothed blade for paneling only put on backwards. It's the same trick metal panel or sheet metal cutteres sometimes use. For plastic you just have to move faster so the heat doesn't build up forcing the plastic to reseal. I've put some in a vice and just broke in half then just pried apart with a scredriver but that's the flying pieces thing. If you live in a city where they have tall buildings you could just go to the top and throw them off, however, make sure they land on the edge. I did like the suggestion of the chain saw but I doubt anyone could find a fine toothed blade for one. Another method is to take a tire off your car, place the thing under the rotor or drum, lower the car down on the slab until you hear it crack.

Barry · April 4, 2005 10:46AM

For PCGS slabs, I use this with eye protection:

Go insider the rim on the 3 sides and snip it off.

For all others, I use a vise. The vise is too dangerous for PCGS slabs, even with goggles. Pieces go flying everywhere.

CarlWohlforth · April 4, 2005 10:47AM

While a hammer may be the simplist way I have a safer way. Put it in a plain envelope with no bubble wrap, no saf-t-seal or any other kind of protection. Then mail it to yourself. It will arrive cracked

MrKelso · April 4, 2005 10:50AM

<< <i>

<< <i>What bit do you use with the dremel? I tried the discs, and they melted the plastic, got stuck, and then cracked

The drill bit cutting thing seemed just to melt the plastic more... sealing it tighter.

Jeremy >>

I use the regular disc cutter. I had the same problem but figured out the trick. I have the cordless 2 speed deal. I just use the lower speed (7500 rpm) and do quick strokes to get it halfway through and back up and then down on the next section down the side. Then I flip it over and cut the other half and it just snaps off with no effort and keeps it from melting together. The last one I cut up took about 2-3 minutes to go around all the sides and the front just lifted right off. >>

On low speed this seems to work very well,I have done this a few times.

fcloud · April 4, 2005 10:53AM

Run it over with one of these! Who cares if you scratch it!

Cameonut · April 4, 2005 10:58AM

I use exactly what Barry uses. Crack at the 3 o'clock (or 9 o'clock) position on the slab and it will crack straight across. I've done about 50 with zero problems. I have also witnessed a major auction house/dealer use the same method at a show. They were cracking them out at the rate of about 4 a minute.

REMEMBER TO USE EYE PROTECTION WHICHEVER METHOD YOU USE. Those shards of plastic are like glass.

tmot99 · April 4, 2005 11:18AM

I use tin snips that are like pliers. The first cut at a lower corner is the hardest and usually sends a couple of pieces of plastic flying. Then its just snip snip around the circle. To protect myself, I usually wrap it in a towel while I snip to prevent plastic from flying. I tried a plastic bag, but it flew right through.

fivecents · April 4, 2005 11:26AM

I also use Barry's method and same exact type of end wire cutters.

D · April 4, 2005 11:29AM

________________
| ______________ |
| | 1846-C | |
| | $5 AU-55 | |
| |_____________| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | * ** | |
| | ** ** * |x|<---Cut here
| | ******* | |
| | ****** | |
| | *** | |
| |_____________| |
|_______________|

Rofl, awsome drawing

-Daniel

LincolnCentMan · April 4, 2005 11:31AM

Hammer. I put one edge flat against a cement slab and the other edge against hammer. I tap fairly hard and move all around the edge of the slab. I've never damaged a coin this way, but be warned.... wear protective eye gear.

David

relayer · April 4, 2005 11:43AM

Always wear eye protection

What's the easiest way to crack a PCGS slab?

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