A liberating experience

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Posted By: effe

A while back there was a discussion regarding liberating graded cards from their holders, so I figured I share my experience.
While PSA and SGC holders have been relatively easy for me to open, the GAI holder with it's inset back was a different story. What I ended up doing was to literally cut the top of the holder off. Using a Dremel tool with a diamond cutting blade(like these... http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=19164&item=5941873 274&rd=1
the top sliced off quite easily (not quite like cutting warm butter, but close). From this point it was as simple as wedging a butter knife in between the layers and prying it apart. If I remember correctly someone was describing how they were actually breaking the holder with a pliers, with pieces flying everywhere. This process is much cleaner than that. I'd still recommend using safety glasses and securing the holder in a vise before cutting.

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Posted By: dennis

i lay the slab on a concrete surface and hit the top (only) with a hammer 4 or 5 times and then seperate the slab. i've liberated lots of 50's and 60's cards but keep pre war in their tomb.plastic does fly everywhere so i tend to do this outside in the "good" weather and the basement floor is great in the winter.a paper towel will help w/the flying plastic. psa is the easiest,becket was the strongest.i think willie mays was the happiest to be let out.

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Posted By: Julie

right in the center with a sledgehammer!

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Posted By: john/z28jd

I smear gravy on them and give them to my rottweiler,he eventually gets the holders open and most of the time i can get the card away from him without any damage or gravy stains.If you dont have a rottweiler or gravy,put the card between the 2 robots in the rock em sock em robot game,they will eventually open the holder and youll have fun in the process

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Posted By: effe

Julie,
If I remember correctly, it was around $50 if you don't buy the set with all the gizmos included. If you're thinking about buying one they're usually on sale now till after Christmas (Home Depot has them). They actually are pretty usful for other things besides performing card-ectomies. I used that same cutting head to remove some rusty bolts during some recent remodeling work.

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Posted By: Judge Dred

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=29528&item=4344637883&rd=1

There are lots of 'em out there...