Best way to safely crack a PCGS slab? First timer here

Hi folks,
I'm hoping someone that's done it before can advise me on what is the best way to crack a PCGS slab without risking damage to the coin inside.
I have two coins I want to crack out, but I've never done it before. I also do not have an electric saw (a friend suggested I use one), only hand tools.

The reason I want to un-slab them is because PCGS does not give details grades, and both are rare coins that have AU to UNC details. The slabs really don't do the coins any justice, in my honest opinion.


Thanks in advance! =)

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

Band saw......

[edit]

Oops. Sorry. See you don't have any saws.......

 

I have a hand saw with tiny teeth meant for cutting metal piping, a couple hand saws with large teeth meant for wood, various chisels and screwdrivers and a couple hammers. Also a pocket multi-tool.
I wish I had a band saw or knew someone that did, that would save me a headache for sure.

 

That's kind of like my metal saw. But how should I cut it? Across the flat side, from the edge, along the edge, or other way? Thanks.

 

I'd cut it across the meatiest side of the slab and the employ a thin knife or screw driver to carefully pry the edges....

Don't cut the edges.

 

Great advice, thanks!

I'll try cutting a notch and then use some kind of wedge. Will post my results later.
Thanks!

 

And for Gods' sake be careful........

 

Wear safety glasses also - that plastic can go shooting pretty far.

 

Should have heeded your guy's safety advice first... scraped two fingernails, cut my thumb and got plastic dust in one eye =(
And it didn't work out too well either. I sawed down through the corner over where the seal line was and used a wedge, but only a chunk of the plastic broke off, which is exactly what I was trying to avoid.
man this is serious stuff, I didn't think it was that difficult.

 

Freakin' buggers are tough, ain't they?

 

Youtube shows many way's.
In a shop with a vise and band saw seems the best way but if you don't have that...

 

I just use my hunting knife and hit it hard in the middle on the edge on both side and then ...........tah da

 

Yea seriously. And the plastic chips off so easily that I can't seem to wedge it. Gonna have to try to cut all around, or just whack it and hope for the best. Sigh.

 

Eureka! I managed to crack em, without any injuries to the coins (at least). I pretty much got frustrated with the saw and took to using brute force. I took a pliers and started cracking off plastic around the edge until the thing had no choice but to open up. I hope to not have to repeat this.
thanks for all your real-time help guys! =)

 

Bravo dear fellow.......

 

Thanks buddy! =)

 

Try this method:

[video=youtube;10w3R6Go0zM]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10w3R6Go0zM[/video]

 

That's one "cracked" dude Race......

 

I was wincing the whole way through that video, lol.