On Wed, 21 Jun 2006 14:43:09 GMT, "Leon"
wrote:


wrote in message
roups.com...
I just purchased my first table saw this weekend and I'm trying to get
a better handle on how to most effectively (and safely) use it. I need
to rip some 2" wide pieces of 3/4" plywood and I'm trying to figure out
the best way to do it where I don't end up wasting a bunch of wood.
Say the plywood is 4' x 4' and I want to cut (4) 2" x 4' strips from
it. It would seem the most accurate way to do this would be to set the
rip fence (which is to the right of the blade) 2" from the blade and
then run the board with the majority of the board to the left of the
blade. My concern is that I'm asking for kickback with the waste side
being so much larger than the piece I'm trying to create. On the other
hand, I've never heard of someone (but I'm new so this doesn't mean
much) putting the waste on the fence side. What's the proper way to
make these cuts?


The proper way to make these cuts is the way you described. Set the fence
to 2" and cut. Use a push stick to push the right side and "Gently" keep
the piece against the fence with your left hand by "Gently" pushing towards
the fence.

I would just add if the saw doesn't have a large table you may find it
easier to rip off a piece that is large enough to cut all 4 pieces
from first. In other words take 4 x 2" plus 3 saw kerfs 3 x 1/8" plus
a little bit to be safe, so say 8.5". This makes the first cut a bit
more balanced and at a width that you don't need a push stick for.
Then when you are using the push stick you don't have so much weight
to deal with.


-Leuf