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How to crack PRO slab

walker68walker68 Posts: 28
in Trading Cards & Memorabilia Forum
OK... anyone have a good technique for cracking PRO slabbed cards. I want to open and submit to PSA (especially if it looks like they're not trimmed).

Can't seem to find a way to open them - and there's some serious high dollar cards I don't want to damage in the process.

Any and all advice welcome.

Walker

Comments

  • stownstown Posts: 11,321 ✭✭✭


    << <i>OK... anyone have a good technique for cracking PRO slabbed cards. I want to open and submit to PSA (especially if it looks like they're not trimmed).

    Can't seem to find a way to open them - and there's some serious high dollar cards I don't want to damage in the process.

    Any and all advice welcome.

    Walker >>



    I have great advice for you.

    Don't purchase high dollar cards in PRO holders.

    Issue resolved.

    image
    So basically my kid won't be able to go to college, but at least I'll have a set where the three most expensive cards are of a player I despise ~ CDsNuts
  • cardfan07cardfan07 Posts: 680 ✭✭
    I find that a curb and your car is the best way to crack the PRO slabs.

    If that isn't what you're looking for, there have been lots of discussions about dremel tools and cutting the slab with that.
    Ted Williams, Willie Mays, Tom Seaver, Mike Schmidt, George Brett, Bob Gibson, Lou Brock player collector
  • walker68walker68 Posts: 28
    I didn't purchase these cards. I'm trying to help my mother-in-law sell off cards that her husband collected. Trying to get her the most money (as she seriously needs it)... and I made the desicion to open the PRO graded cards and send them to PSA. What would you do stown?

    Just wondering how to open the f'in PRO slab.

    I'll try a dremel tool... but I still worry about damaging the cards.

    Walker
  • cardfan07cardfan07 Posts: 680 ✭✭
    Some slabs are easier than others. I've damaged cards by not paying attention. I would think the dremel would be your best bet.
    Ted Williams, Willie Mays, Tom Seaver, Mike Schmidt, George Brett, Bob Gibson, Lou Brock player collector
  • BunchOBullBunchOBull Posts: 6,188 ✭✭✭
    Bench-top vise, with the top of the slab hanging out of the vice...clip the corner with a pair of snipping pliers, like diagonal pliers (diags or dikes), pry case with a flathead driver.
    Collector of most things Frank Thomas. www.BigHurtHOF.com
  • BunchOBullBunchOBull Posts: 6,188 ✭✭✭
    If you use a Dremel tool, just make sure you remove all the plastic shards and dust before prying the case open...the excess plastic could ruin the card.
    Collector of most things Frank Thomas. www.BigHurtHOF.com
  • IchiroDeportedIchiroDeported Posts: 1,610 ✭
    contact Rube and the C-4 Plastic explosive; thats what he uses for constipation and slabs.

    Leo
  • stownstown Posts: 11,321 ✭✭✭


    << <i>What would you do stown? >>



    If she really needs the money ASAP, I would sell the cards as is. Explain your situation and that you don't want to risk damaging the cards. Most likely, they will sell at a discount but at least your mother in law can quickly get some money she seriously needs.

    Think of it this way, what if you crack, send into PSA, and they all come back trimmed, seriously downgraded, or fakes? Then she's out grading fees and has worthless cardboard.

    Good times.

    image
    So basically my kid won't be able to go to college, but at least I'll have a set where the three most expensive cards are of a player I despise ~ CDsNuts
  • IchiroDeportedIchiroDeported Posts: 1,610 ✭
    scans please!

  • MooseDogMooseDog Posts: 1,947 ✭✭✭
    I purchased a decent size collection that had some off-brand slabs in it and of course had to try to see if they would cross to PSA..

    After reading about various ways to crack different slabs, I took a few over to a friend's house who is a "Home Depot" kind of guy and has every tool known to mankind. Prepared to have to dynamite some of them.

    Started simple with the PRO slabs since I figured I had the least to lose with those, just a small, sharp chisel, stuck it in the seam just a tiny bit and the whole thing separated so easily I couldn't believe it. Didn't even need a hammer.

    So start simply and work your way up.

    FYI - one PRO slab had a Clemente RC PRO 9 which I was sure was trimmed but came back a PSA 5. The other had a 53T Satchel Paige PRO 8 with a visible surface crease which I figured would get a PSA 2-3 and it came back PSA 3.
  • nightcrawlernightcrawler Posts: 5,110 ✭✭
    BunchOBulls idea using the snipping pliers or tile cutters works the best for me, I don't use a vise. Just nip the edge off all the way around.

    image
  • ping4u43ping4u43 Posts: 908
    image
  • rube26105rube26105 Posts: 10,225 ✭✭
    i just take a pair of pliers and crack the sticker part of the slab off,works great,except on beckett ones that you need a thermonuclear warhead to break into thoseimage
  • walker68walker68 Posts: 28
    I've got about 150 PSA graded cards... and 150 SCG cards to work through first... not to mention autographed bats, balls, jerserys, sets, toys... etc. (it's gonna' take a long time). So I'm in no emergency rush to unload the PRO cards. I'm going to try and make a judgement about if they're trimmed before cracking them... and then send to PSA... sell when they come back (sure I'll get 1 or 2 graded as "Authentic").

    Thanks again for the advice.

    Walker



    << <i>

    << <i>What would you do stown? >>



    If she really needs the money ASAP, I would sell the cards as is. Explain your situation and that you don't want to risk damaging the cards. Most likely, they will sell at a discount but at least your mother in law can quickly get some money she seriously needs.

    Think of it this way, what if you crack, send into PSA, and they all come back trimmed, seriously downgraded, or fakes? Then she's out grading fees and has worthless cardboard.

    Good times.

    image >>

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