How To Crack a PSA Slab - CARDBOARD VINTAGE

In light of a more intense topic earlier, here's something a bit lighter....

This is nicely written, has images and is concise.

https://cardhoundvintage.com/how-to-crack-a-psa-slab/

All you need for this procedure are the following:

a chop saw, safety glasses and a flathead screwdriver.  

I would also add you need the willingness to take a potentially expensive gamble in attempting to free the captive.

My favorite line in the instructions regarding the chop saw meeting the slab:

"Hold on tight to keep the slab secure. You don’t want a sharp hunk of plastic flying at 100mph across the garage".

https://cardhoundvintage.com/how-to-crack-a-psa-slab/

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Mark Saunders on June 24, 2025 at 7:54pm

I’ve done it 3 times. Great results each time. Easy peasy. 

Permalink Reply by eddy on June 24, 2025 at 8:06pm

That's good to know!  Were you nervous about damaging the contents?

Permalink Reply by Mark Saunders on June 25, 2025 at 5:50am

Yes. But they all came out fine. 

Permalink Reply by eddy on June 25, 2025 at 6:06am

What a relief!

Permalink Reply by Mark Saunders on June 25, 2025 at 6:11am

You take some pliers, crack a corner. Then jimmy a flat heat screw driver in there and work your way around the edges. I first did it on a baseball card worth about 30 dollars, then I did it on a set of Beatles autographs signed on the night they did Ed Sullivan. I was nervous, but confident. 

Permalink Reply by eddy on June 25, 2025 at 6:25am

Pliers definitely sound better (and safer) than a chop saw!

Permalink Reply by Scott Paul on June 25, 2025 at 7:01am

I have very few slabbed and only buy if I really need the autograph, or it is cheap. I know I have Jackie Gleason, Fred Gwynne, Tony Randall (check), Joe Da Rita (check), Jonathan Frid (card) and a couple others.  I do not really like slabs they are hard to look at and cannot put in albums.  I am too nervous about trying to get them out though.  I am already missing part of a finger from a table saw so am certainly avoiding that one.  I think if people do take them out, they just have to weigh the gain versus the possible loss or damage to the item.  As for me I decided to just let them be.   

Permalink Reply by eddy on June 25, 2025 at 7:34am

Better safe than sorry!  😐 

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