How to crack NGC slabs?

kalch23 · February 25, 2006 6:34AM

Have some nice gold that I think is undergraded. I dont want to submit slabbed for crossover after everything I've read on the board. I searched for previous threads and didn't find much.

Need suggestions on how best to crack NGC slabs.

Thanks.

Baley · February 25, 2006 6:40AM

method 1, my preference: put on safety glasses. Wrap slab in cloth. Put slab in bench vice. squeeze until cracks along long seam. turn and sqeeze until short seam pops. open like a book.

method 2: use tin snips to clip edges off slab, then pry slab open, trying not to scratch coin.

method 3, for tough guys: tap edges with hammer until slab shatters unpredictably and maybe coin flies out. maybe plastic goes in your eyes.

method 4, for jokesters: [insert image of jackhammer, blowtorch, pile driver, atomic bomb blast, etc..]

JrGMan2004 · February 25, 2006 6:43AM

Take a bench vice and squeeze the slab along the long edge until the top and bottom seams pop... after that, try to gently pry it open along the top... sometimes the side seams are weak enough you don't need to squeeze again... if not, then put it in the vice again, so you can pop the seams on the sides...

If you have one of the new redesigned slabs, they are a bit tougher to crack... usually the side seems won't pop as easilly... so, when this happens, I take a pair of tin snips, and just clip the edges, and then you can open it like a book...

drwstr123 · February 25, 2006 7:02AM

I've opened them by using a fine saw to cut a notch parallel with the seam. Then with a small knife open it like a clam.

tmot99 · February 25, 2006 7:05AM

NGCs are easy to crack with a hammer. I hold the slab in my hand with a long seam up and whack it with a hammer. After a few hits, the seam is cracked. I do this to all sides and they two halves easily seperate.

Tassa · February 25, 2006 7:07AM

<< <i>NGCs are easy to crack with a hammer. I hold the slab in my hand with a long seam up and whack it with a hammer. After a few hits, the seam is cracked. I do this to all sides and they two halves easily seperate. >>

MagLite flashlights also work well.

CarlWohlforth · February 25, 2006 7:19AM

I have some bolt cutters that work OK.

relayer · February 25, 2006 7:20AM

Always wear eye protection - those chards of plastic can come flying off.

The best is to saw it open, second is the vice method and last is the brute force hammer smash and screwdriver ply

100proof1957 · February 25, 2006 7:25AM

1977topps · February 25, 2006 7:48AM

Couldn't resist.

wayneherndon · February 25, 2006 7:50AM

Turn them on their edge and tap them firmly with a pair of pliers or small hammer. Turn them over and do the other side. They'll come right apart.

WH

BECOKA · February 25, 2006 7:52AM

I have found placing it on its side and using a hammer on the seam breaks the seam enough to where it can be pryed open like a clam. I would do this inside of a plastic bag in case a couple of smalle pieces from the edge go flying.

Deadhorse · February 25, 2006 8:06AM

I used to do all those destructive things including tile nippers and bolt cutters.

Then I looked at my table saw and thought about all the time I had wasted in the past.

I just set the jig and run them through, clipping off the edges, and it's as simple as can be.

A less violent method is to hold it in a vice and use a hacksaw to take off the edges.

Manorcourtman · February 25, 2006 8:15AM

Be a real man and whack it with a hammer on the top and bottom. That will do the trick. Safety glasses......give me a break!!!

1977topps · February 25, 2006 9:10AM

I break off the corners using vice grips then run a small screwdriver around the sides, gently and carefully! prying them open.

JrGMan2004 · February 25, 2006 9:13AM

<< <i>Turn them on their edge and tap them firmly with a pair of pliers or small hammer. Turn them over and do the other side. They'll come right apart.

WH >>

Oh yeah, I sometimes do this, though I use a pair of scissors and whack away at the edges when the side seams just won't quite pop

tmot99 · February 25, 2006 9:20AM

It should be noted that the hammer method works well on NGC and ANACS old holders. I have never had any plastic fly off in my face. This method DOES NOT work on PCGS slabs. For these, I use tin snips and clip the slab starting from the lower right-hand corner. The first clip can be deadly. One it is hard to break. Two the plastic becomes a missle. I use a bag and cover it with a towel. Once the first piece is cut, then just clip around the coin holder ring.

How to crack NGC slabs?

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