Ripping 1/16 Strips on TS

[Scot Ferraro]

Hi Everyone,

I need to rip several strips 1/16" X 3/4" random lengths ranging from 24 inchs to 8 feet long. Does anyone have any suggestions for the safest way to handle this? I can get one or two strips to the left of the blade and then of course the fence gets too close to the guard. I suppose I could make a small splitter and then run the push block over the top of the blade to complete the cut on the narrower strips -- I would appreciate anyones thoughts and suggestions on this...

Thanks,

Scot

[Wilbur Pan]

Not to be facetious, but have you considered doing this on a bandsaw instead? That's what I would use if I was trying to do this.

[Michael Schwartz]

I would use my EZ Smart Power Bench.

Well tuned bandsaw would work well

It is ok to run a wood pushstick up over the blade on a tablesaw, just make sure the blade isn't any more than 1/8" over the top of the workpeice. I did this with an inch of blade sticking out once and it was a scary experience

[Craig Thompson]

If you dont have one it won't help... but a Jointeck or Incra fence would be pretty helpfull right now. Due to the thread size on these fences. They index nicely so you can cut from the left side of lumber once you have the lumber squared.

Make the first pass to square the lumber, move your fence toward the blade (distance = blade width + 1/16"), keep on indexing your fence and you can cut up a board pretty quickly.

If you trust your eye and your fence.. you can do it with any saw really.. but a Jointech unit makes it real easy.

[Frank Hagan]

A method I've used is to have a spacer next to the fence so you cut a strip, move the stock back next to the spacer, then cut another strip. That prevents moving the fence once it is set for your thin strip. You can also make a push stick for the last push through the blade; you push both the spacer and the stock through at the end to keep fingers safely away from the blade ... a padded push stick "pad" like you use for jointers works well here.

[Corey Hallagan]

This post interests me as I need to do the same thing.. Frank anyway you can post a photo or drawing of what your talking about here? I can't envision it.

Corey

[Joe Unni]

Not sure exactly how I would do it (still pondering), but if you do use your table saw be mindful of the space to the left and right of your blade. A zero clearance insert is a must, better yet make a new one for this application! It wouldn't take much for 1/16" to get stuck. In a pinch I've lowered the blade, stretched blue painters tape from the front of my saw to the back and over the slot and then raised the blade through it. Works pretty good for a few cuts.

Good luck,
-joe

[Don Bullock]

I agree with Craig. Incra has a video on their website that shows how to do this with their system. I've also seen it demonstrated at woodworking shows. If you don't have an Incra or Jointech it could be done with other fence systems. Frank has a very good idea as well. If I didn't have the Incra, that would be my choice.

[Nissim Avrahami]

I made 1/4" strips using the method as on the pics (one time fence setting).

splitter, (better, Riving knife) and feather board (better, at two points) are a must.

Also, because of the length, I used hold-down roller to keep the jig pressed to the fence after passing the blade

1.7 M = 67"
150mm = 6"

About the blade height...it's personal...I keep it high for cooler blade and faster feed rate...and yes, I use the guard and push shoe at the end of the cut (at the age of 63, every nail of my fingers is much more important than any piece of wood...)

Have a safe work
niki

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[Nissim Avrahami]

Limited to 5 pics...

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[josh bjork]

I have a tip! Don't rip 1" wide boards. Glue them to another one. With width comes stability.

[Mark Rios]

Niki, that's a great set up AND a great mini-tutorial!

WTG!!!





BTW Niki, I was going to ask you why the stop button on your saw had "STOP" written in English. Then I went to an online translator and saw why................all of the two dozen or so Polish words of the verb form of "STOP" were waaaaaaayyyyy too long to fit on the knob.

[Scot Ferraro]

Thanks for everyone's response -- Josh -- I like your idea of gluing the thinner strips to a wider board -- this would give me the stability I need and allow me to keep the 1/16 off-cuts to the left of the blade -- great idea. Sometimes it's the simplest of ideas that work the best -- I really appreciate all of your help!!

[glenn bradley]

This seems like the ticket. Especially if you are running lengths of up to 8 feet.

[Bill Huber]

This seems like the ticket. Especially if you are running lengths of up to 8 feet.

Glenn you beat me to it, I just saw that on the Shop Notes site last night. Looks like it should do the trick very well and easy to make.