Cracking the Slab Tutorial

[JollyElm]

Forgive the raspy voice, but I did a short tutorial on how to quickly (although I really took my time here to do it right) and easily crack a card out of its slab. The goal was to break out my 1968 Topps Willie Mays and get it ready for Bobby's group submission...

https://youtu.be/ynvzyfNcIVM


And what the heck. This one is pertinent to the topic at hand...

175. Removey Mogul (also Davy Crackit)
A collector who insists on freeing all of his cards from their TPG holders.

See also: Crackpocket - a collector who must break each of his cards out of their slabs to return them to their natural habitat, ensconced in binder pages.

See also: Crackitect - someone who offers step by step instructions on how to free a card from its plastic prison.

See also: Humblemished - the deflated feeling associated with actually damaging a card during the slab-removal process.

[Kutcher55]

Nice job. Nice video. That tool is quite beastly. Comparing your style to my own, you took a bigger bite out of the corners than I do. Seemed to work for you. Good luck with the regrade. Would be curious to see how you remove the schmutz.

[Elberson]

If card cracking doesn’t work out for you…..I can see hand modeling in your future lol , good luck with new grade, maybe 8.5 or 9?

[cgjackson222]

Thanks for posting! Been wondering how people go about cracking slabs.
Good luck with the Mays.

[JollyElm]

Originally Posted by Kutcher55

Nice job. Nice video. That tool is quite beastly. Comparing your style to my own, you took a bigger bite out of the corners than I do. Seemed to work for you. Good luck with the regrade. Would be curious to see how you remove the schmutz.

I knew I should've rolled tape on the de-gumming, dagnabbit. Did the Mays and a Bench Rookie, and both went swimmingly. When I find another card with residue all over it, I'll go "Lights!! Camera!! Action!!" all over it!!

[G1911]

I’ve always used pliers to twist off the upper right corner, and then the screwdriver. Yet to damage anything after a few hundred of them. The bag is a must, or I’d have pieces of slab in every nook and cranny of the house. Good guide.

PSA and SGC are easy but Beckett slabs require the use of my chainsaw or an AK to get them out…

[cgjackson222]

Originally Posted by G1911

I’ve always used pliers to twist off the upper right corner, and then the screwdriver. Yet to damage anything after a few hundred of them. The bag is a must, or I’d have pieces of slab in every nook and cranny of the house. Good guide.

PSA and SGC are easy but Beckett slabs require the use of my chainsaw or an AK to get them out…

Good to know about the Becket slabs. Was considering cracking one out and sending to SGC, but now I'll just pass.

[G1911]

Originally Posted by cgjackson222

Good to know about the Becket slabs. Was considering cracking one out and sending to SGC, but now I'll just pass.

More seriously, they’re probably easier if one has stronger snips than I have in the garage. Becket slabs I do use a small handsaw to cut in half right below the seal, haven’t hurt anything yet. After experimenting I found this to be the quickest method without going and getting new tools. I don’t like card grading personally, but if one just wants to ensure their card can survive anything, a Beckett slab does the trick. Those honkers are built like tanks.

[irv]

Originally Posted by cgjackson222

Good to know about the Becket slabs. Was considering cracking one out and sending to SGC, but now I'll just pass.

Dpeck100, a member here, posted this video some time ago. I followed his advice and it worked great.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzrEsDe7TqQ

[philliesfan]

Nice job.
However, if you do not use a bag....Remember to use Eye Protection!
You don't want those plastic slivers flying towards your eyes.
Bob

[steve B]

One of the first card related videos I actually enjoyed.

most seem to ramble on for ages about nothing in particular.

Plus the way things are phrased is pretty close to how I'd explain it.

[timzcardz]

Enjoyed the video. Thanks.

But . . . the Holiday Pack opening was even better! Loved it, especially the Not Safe For Children aspect performed on Disneyland tables!

[Kutcher55]

Has anyone cracked a CSG slab? I got my first victim (a 67 Clemente) and the slab seems thick. Can it be easily pried open or do I have a battle on my hands?

[hockeyhockey]

Originally Posted by Kutcher55

Has anyone cracked a CSG slab? I got my first victim (a 67 Clemente) and the slab seems thick. Can it be easily pried open or do I have a battle on my hands?

i cracked a few CSG ones, and it's certainly a battle.

[Pat R]

It's easier for me because they're a tool I use for my trade but I use ceramic tile nippers which I think are a better choice especially on a high value card.

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My main concern is not damaging the card and I could do it faster if I wanted, it usually takes about 30 seconds per slab including Beckett slabs.

With the nippers you don't have to worry about getting close to the card because you only nip the very outer edge. I usually do the two long edges and one short edge and then you can usually just open it with your hands.
To do this you just hook the upper jaw on the raised edge and pull back towards you to snap mall pieces off.

[Pat R]

Sorry for the double post but it must be the site because I see there have been a few this morning.

[Kutcher55]

Well the CSG wasn’t that difficult. I was able to snap off a corner and use a chisel. The slab came apart with similar resistance as a PSA or SGC. But then to my surprise was an inner fully sealed sleeve that caused me some problems. I needed a sharp knife slice off one side and then the deed was done without damage!