Patrick writes: “The Gorilla Gripper helps you carry sheet goods. The demonstration video looks pretty good, but some of the ratings on Amazon make me a bit skeptical.”
I’m with you, Patrick. It’s a real pain in the ass to carry large sheets of plywood or MDF. Not only are they quite heavy, there’s also no way to get a good grip. My standby is to use a hammer’s claw end to grab the sheet from the bottom.
One drawback to the ‘Gripper: It’s your upward-pushing force that holds the sheet in place between the ‘Gripper’s jaws. Would it drop the sheet if you released a little pressure to shift positions or descend a step?
Check after the jump for a picture of the ‘Gripper in use.
As promised:
It sells for $50 direct — a bit expensive compared to the won’t-drop-the-sheet-on-you hammer solution. Froogle returns it at similar prices. Patrick’s right, though. The Amazon reviews seem a little fishy.
The Gorilla Gripper [Corporate Site]
Street Pricing [Froogle]
The Gorilla Gripper [What’s This?] [Amazon – Check out the reviews]
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3 Responses to Reader Find: The Gorilla Gripper
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{ Where can I purchase a set of the Dowel Rounding Planes or just the 1/2 inch one? I volunteer at an 1800's period national park... } – Jun 06, 9:49 PM
{ Is this available anymore, I have one getting worn out had for so long can't remember where I got it } – Jun 04, 9:30 AM
{ Sage words } – Jun 03, 8:06 PM
{ It’s not something you can just buy or order form some one. It’s hand made and very cool gives me some ideas for my next... } – Jun 03, 12:30 PM
{ How do I submit my new tool idea to Craftsman } – Jun 02, 2:55 PM
{ These are miss-sized the 1/2 inch is actually 7/8 inch and calls for a 1/2 inch pilot hole } – Jun 02, 9:57 AM
I currently use a Stanley panel carry, but it’s still a bit hard to use:
http://www.amazon.com/Stanley-93-301-Yellow-Panel-Carry/dp/B00004UDN8
Woodcraft sells something similar to the Gorilla Gripper, but it appears to work at the ends of the sheet, so it probably requires two people:
http://woodcraft.com/family.aspx?familyid=4829
I also recall seeing a pocket-sized carrier that unfolded.
But by far my favorite plywood carrying tool is Glenn, my brother in law (and yes, generally he is a big tool).
It seems to me that the Stanley Panel Carry would be a whole heck of a lot cheaper, and IMHO, safer. (Considering it holds the panel from BELOW.. )
The only thing i would add to the Panel Carry would be a small piece of neoprene foam to the bottom of the slot where the sheet goes in. This should help keep the sheet from sliding out of the holder.
Rick: I remembered covering a tool just for this purpose, but I couldn’t recall the name — good eye! I’ll add it to the post.