Cracking a protective case

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Posted By: <b>Bernie</b><p>What is the best way to crack a case without damaging the card ?

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Posted By: <b>Matt</b><p>One of the worst ways might be to submerge it in boiling water so that the bond melts apart.<br /><br />In the past people have suggested a hammer or a saw.

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Posted By: <b>Shawn</b><p>I like to put it the microwave for about 12 - 15 seconds (NO MORE!) that gets the edges brittle where you can easily snap it with pliers. Firm presure applied. This is for SGC holders only, PSA requires another 20 seconds, But I have had mixed results with the PSA slabs... GOOD Luck

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Posted By: <b>JimB</b><p>I have had good success (no damaged cards) by using needlenose pliers to crack off a corner (the one farthest away from the card), and then sliding a knife or screwdriver in to carefully separate the top from the bottom.<br />JimB

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Posted By: <b>Jason L</b><p>as unassailable?!<br /><img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14><br /><br /><br />First, try using a very small flat-head screwdriver, inserting into the seam and twisting to pry open. Otherwise, I then turn to snipping the corners with a pair of pliers (wear protective eye glasses/goggles)<br /><br />As Matt mentioned, I used to advocate sawing the case in half, removing the two halves of the card, and then gluing back together, but I have lost too much money on the re-grade. I do, however, now own an impressive collection of otherwise high-value Authentic cards that present miserably!

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Posted By: <b>Dave F</b><p>Hmm.

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Posted By: <b>leon</b><p>Read what JimB said.....works like a charm.....

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Posted By: <b>John</b><p>Shawn is corrct in fact a lot of new models from Sears already have this feature.<br /><br /><img src="http://photos.imageevent.com/piojohn3/junkforumimages/pizza-microwave-3%20copy.jpg">

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Posted By: <b>Matt</b><p>John - I noticed that BVG is noticeably absent due to the indestructibility of their cases.

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Posted By: <b>Dave F</b><p>15 seconds for SGC and 35 for PSA? maybe Kevin has tried this anyway...

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Posted By: <b>Al C.risafulli</b><p>Dremel tool.<br /><br />Put on protective eyewear, then use the dremel blade to saw halfway down the thickness of the slab, right underneath the flip. Cut entirely across the width of the slab. Then stick a flathead screwdriver into the notch you just created, and pry gently upwards. The top part of the slab will pop right off.<br /><br />Once you've done a couple, the whole process takes seconds, and I've yet to encounter a situation where I even came close to damaging a card.<br /><br />Wear protective eyewear whenever you're cracking any slab.<br /><br />Wear protective eyewear whenever you're cracking any slab.<br /><br />-Al

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Posted By: <b>Frank Wakefield</b><p>I suggest you NOT insert anything in between the front and back of the slab, so that the card can slide out. Doing that runs the risk of the card getting bent. A low likelihood, but possible.<br /><br />Lay the slab on a flat hard surface, place a screwdriver along the edge, or a chisel. Tap... and tap your way around until the top and bottom halves separate. Takes a moment longer, but avoids prying and twisting. Having busted bunches of slabs, this works best. I have tried several ways. A near disaster as a screwdriver twisted between the slab halves almost resulted in a bent card for me. Not going to chance that again.

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Posted By: <b>Shawn</b><p>Matt,<br /><br />You are correct as to the indestructibility BVG cases, but I have read in the "Living with Microwaves" edition 32 that Sears is coming out with the "Mini Mic" in 2011 specially made to handle BVG holders. I am excited and have locked in a order for three. Hope to sell the other two on ebay for a profit!

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Posted By: <b>Dave F</b><p>Thats what I thought Shawn. <br /><br />Oh- talked to Chris Simmons lately?

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Posted By: <b>CoreyRS.hanus</b><p>Somehow I'm having a hard time imagining somebody putting a multi-thousand $ card in a microwave oven. <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14><br><br>

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Posted By: <b>John</b><p>I agree Microwave way to silly for me, I only use the “Showtime Rotisserie Card Cracker” I can crack a card and enjoy some delicious slow roasted chicken!<br /><br /><img src="http://photos.imageevent.com/piojohn3/junkforumimages/rotisserie%20copy.jpg"><br /><br />I also enjoy GLH and my Pocket Fisherman!<br /><br /><img src="http://photos.imageevent.com/piojohn3/junkforumimages/pic7.jpg"> <img src="http://photos.imageevent.com/piojohn3/junkforumimages/small/21978.jpg">

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Posted By: <b>DMcD</b><p>. . the George Foreman Lean Mean Grilling Machine and Slab Buster Outer<br /><img src="http://www.network54.com/Realm/Jan08/GeoForeman_McGraw.JPG"><br><br>Vintage maidens, Hawaiian penguins, plenty cards and more at . .<br /><a href="http://ImageEvent.com/kawika_o_ka_pakipika" target="_new" rel="nofollow">http://ImageEvent.com/kawika_o_ka_pakipika</a>

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Posted By: <b>bperry</b><p>these funny posts remind me of a funny "happening" in the 80's before grading....a dealer had a card listed in SCD(a 1933 goudey Bengough #1 card)...a faxed picture of the card was requested....I believe this was before scanners became available....well the dealer actually inserted the 1933 Bengough card into the fax machine and pressed send...well you can visualize what happened....I still have a hard time believing anyone could be that %#$%...well it takes all kinds I guess..thanks for reading<br /><br />p.s. gai holders are very tough to open...psa are the easiest by far<br /><br />edited for error..sorry

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Posted By: <b>Jeff S.</b><p>I've had some PSA holders that shoot a small blast of air from the "welded" seams when you compress the middle with your fingers. Not sure if this is standard as I've only had a few PSAs, but it's safe to say you shouldn't play with them near water <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14>

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Posted By: <b>Paul S</b><p><b>Case Cracking Around the Globe</b><br /><br /><a href="http://s190.photobucket.com/albums/z26/pspec/Other/?action=view&current=cardcracking.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z26/pspec/Other/cardcracking.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

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Posted By: <b>Doug</b><p>I've had the best luck using a box cutter and taking the blade around the seams of the holder until you break through the seal. Then pry at a corner with a small flathead screwdriver and it should pop right open.

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Posted By: <b>scott levy</b><p>I just toss them out of my window at the empire state building and let gravity do the rest. I'm happy to help anyone out that needs my services, just try not to pick a windy day.

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Posted By: <b>Anonymous</b><p>I use a rounded kitchen knife. Works like a charm. The lovely wife doesn't care for it, so I have to be careful that she's not around.

[Cy2009]

I find these processes to be quite interesting.

Does anyone know how PSA or SGC crack these open when a collector sends in a graded card for a re-grade? How do the professionals do it?

Cy

[David R]

I had good luck using tin snips to snip off a corner of the case, and then I ran a flat head screw driver along the seal to separate the two halves. I gripped the screw driver down on the shank (and not on the handle) so that only an inch or two of the shaft was sticking out from my hand. That way I couldn't slip and jab the screw driver into the case and card. This technique worked for me for all three cases -- SGC, BVG and PSA

[Jim VB]

I find these processes to be quite interesting.

Does anyone know how PSA or SGC crack these open when a collector sends in a graded card for a re-grade? How do the professionals do it?

Cy

I have seen SGC open one of their own cases. I'm sure they have multiple methods, but I watched Brian (The World Traveler) Dwyer slide a thin 12 inch metal ruler into the slot along the side of a case, torque it a little bit and it popped right open.

[D. Broughman]

I use the Redneck way I runnum over with my pickem up truck in the back yard.

[thenavarro]

This is by no means the only method, just my method and its one I'm comfortable with. DISCLAIMER: This is offered for entertainment purposes only, and I'm not responsible if you choose to try this and screw up your card. :)
Camera phone pics so not that good quality (will be in two posts as board will only allow 10 pics per post)

http://i26.tinypic.com/10fszfr.jpg
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http://i28.tinypic.com/2dukprt.jpg

[thenavarro]

http://i25.tinypic.com/2645qp2.jpg
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[E93]

That is basically the method I use too. Snap off the corner, insert flat head screwdriver, and VERY CAREFULLY separate the two sides.
JimB

[green rhino123]

I think JimB has the right idea. I put it on a rag or t-shirt and fold it over while I do it so I don't cut myself, because you can if you slip.

[Frank A]

Go to Lowes, Home Depot or any other hardware store an buy a hand held plastic cittung tool or plastic cutting blade for your utility knife. Probably around $2.00. Just draw it around the top seams (above the card)
4 or 5 times and you can open it very easily.

[Luke]

Posted By: <b>Doug</b><p>I've had the best luck using a box cutter and taking the blade around the seams of the holder until you break through the seal. Then pry at a corner with a small flathead screwdriver and it should pop right open.

I wanted to crack open an SGC case, and searched for cracking slabs advice. I just used this method, and it took less than 1 minute, and I didn't damage the case or the card. Thanks for the advice!