If you use a table saw often, especially for narrow rips, small parts, or repeatable project work, a good push block can be one of those shop accessories that feels boring until you need it.
The MICROJIG GRR-RIPPER-style table saw push block is the category most woodworkers end up comparing against a basic push stick. It costs more than a homemade stick, but it also gives you more surface contact, a handle above the workpiece, and better control over the board as it moves through the cut.
Disclosure: Colwood Craft may earn from qualifying Amazon purchases through links in this article. That does not change the recommendation: only buy a push block if it fits the way you actually use your table saw.
Quick verdict on the MICROJIG GRR-RIPPER-style push block
For a small woodworking shop, the best reason to buy a GRR-RIPPER-style push block is control. It helps you keep downward pressure on the workpiece, guide the board forward, and keep your hand farther from the blade than it would be during an awkward bare-hand feed.
That matters most when you are ripping narrow strips, cutting small project parts, or doing repeated table saw work where a basic push stick starts to feel clumsy.
It is not a magic safety device. You still need a tuned saw, a fence that is set correctly, a riving knife or splitter where applicable, a blade guard when the cut allows it, eye and hearing protection, and enough attention to stop when a cut feels wrong.
Who should buy one
A GRR-RIPPER-style push block makes the most sense if you use your table saw as a regular part of your shop workflow.
It is a good fit for woodworkers who:
- Rip narrow strips for small projects.
- Cut repeatable parts for batches.
- Want more downward pressure than a thin push stick gives.
- Work in a garage or basement shop where every tool has to earn its space.
- Already follow basic table saw safety habits and want a better feeding accessory.
That last point matters. A push block works best as part of a good setup. It should not become an excuse to rush a cut, remove guards unnecessarily, or stand in the wrong place during a rip.
Who should skip it
You can probably skip a premium push block for now if you only use a table saw a few times a year, mostly cut wider boards, or already have a safe push stick setup that feels natural and controlled.
You should also skip it if you are looking for a single accessory that "fixes" table saw safety. No push block can do that. If your saw is missing its riving knife, your fence is not parallel to the blade, your outfeed support is shaky, or your blade is wrong for the cut, solve those problems first.
For some cuts, a simple push stick, featherboard, crosscut sled, or different jig is the better tool.
What it does better than a basic push stick
A basic push stick is cheap, easy to make, and still useful. The downside is that it usually contacts the board at a small point near the back edge. That can work fine on many cuts, but it does not give much downward pressure or side-to-side confidence.
A push block gives you a larger grip surface. On a table saw, that can make the feed feel more stable because you are pushing down and forward at the same time. On a narrow rip, the appeal is obvious: your hand is on a handle, not hovering close to the blade while you try to finish the last few inches of the cut.
MICROJIG's official GRR-RIPPER page describes the system as a 3D pushblock and lists included parts such as the main body, handle, legs, balance support, hardware, and SafeRip Kit. The design is meant to manage contact with the workpiece from above while giving you adjustable support around the cut.
What to check before buying
Before you buy a MICROJIG GRR-RIPPER push block, check a few practical things.
First, look at the cuts you actually make. If your table saw work is mostly wide panels, rough construction lumber, or quick one-off rips, a standard push stick may be enough. If you often cut thin strips, small parts, drawer pieces, frames, or repeat batches, a push block is easier to justify.
Second, check your saw setup. You want enough flat table surface, a reliable fence, and a clear plan for the cut before the board touches the blade.
Third, compare the specific bundle. MICROJIG sells different GRR-RIPPER versions and accessories, and Amazon listings can vary. Do not assume every listing includes the same legs, kits, or add-ons.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Better grip and downward pressure than a thin push stick.
- Useful for narrow rips and small parts.
- Easier to control through the end of a cut.
- Takes little shop space.
- Fits a real table saw problem instead of being a novelty accessory.
Cons:
- Costs more than homemade push sticks.
- Takes practice before it feels natural.
- Does not replace a riving knife, blade guard, featherboard, sled, or safe setup.
- Different bundles can make shopping confusing.
- Not necessary for every table saw owner.
Alternatives worth considering
If you are not ready to buy a premium push block, start with a few basic push sticks in different shapes. Make them from scrap, keep them near the saw, and replace them when they get chewed up.
A featherboard is another useful table saw accessory, especially when you want steady side pressure against the fence. It does a different job than a push block, so the two can complement each other.
For crosscuts and repeated small parts, a crosscut sled is often safer and more accurate than trying to guide short pieces against the fence. For thin repeated strips, a dedicated thin-rip jig may be the cleaner answer.
Final recommendation
For most small-shop woodworkers who use a table saw regularly, a MICROJIG GRR-RIPPER-style push block is worth considering. It is most useful when you want more control during narrow rips and small-part work, and it is easy to store close to the saw where you will actually use it.
Buy it if your current push stick setup feels sketchy during narrow cuts or if you want a more controlled way to feed small project parts. Skip it if your table saw use is rare, your cuts are simple, or your money would be better spent fixing the saw setup itself.
The best table saw safety habit is still slowing down before the cut. A good push block helps with control, but it works best when the rest of the setup is already right.