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Table saw - ripping thin material?
I just got a used Craftsman table saw on Craigslist, and would like
to rip some long, narrow, thin cedar strips from fence pickets. So for example, I would first rip a 5/8" x 3.5" x 6' picket into three strips of 5/8" x about 1" x 6' by making two cuts. The first cut seems pretty straightforward. The second one - cutting a 2+" strip in half - I also think I can do if I'm careful and have an appropriate push stick. The saw does have the usual blade guard, splitter, and anti-kickback pawls, and a 96-tooth, narrow steel (not carbide) blade that says it's for finishing. But then I'd like to cut each of the three strips in half again, but this time edge-wise, so that I end up with 1/4" x about 1" x 6' strips. So that's cutting the 5/8" dimension in half. It's that last cut that bothers me. I've watched some videos on Youtube on cutting thin material, and it looks like it would be possible to do it with Grip-Tite or GRR-ripper gizmos, but they're just beyond my budget. But it seems it should also be possible to do this cut with clamped featherboards to lock the feed stock against the table and fence, and end by following with a scrap piece of the same dimensions, or perhaps pulling through from the other end. Anyway, I would appreciate any suggestions on how to do this if there is a safe way to do so. |
Table saw - ripping thin material?
On 4/25/2010 8:39 PM Peabody spake thus:
[...] But then I'd like to cut each of the three strips in half again, but this time edge-wise, so that I end up with 1/4" x about 1" x 6' strips. So that's cutting the 5/8" dimension in half. It's that last cut that bothers me. I've watched some videos on Youtube on cutting thin material, and it looks like it would be possible to do it with Grip-Tite or GRR-ripper gizmos, but they're just beyond my budget. But it seems it should also be possible to do this cut with clamped featherboards to lock the feed stock against the table and fence, and end by following with a scrap piece of the same dimensions, or perhaps pulling through from the other end. Anyway, I would appreciate any suggestions on how to do this if there is a safe way to do so. This sounds like a job for a bandsaw, not a table saw. What you're doing falls under the heading of resawing. (Not the answer you wanted, I know, but there it is.) -- The fashion in killing has an insouciant, flirty style this spring, with the flaunting of well-defined muscle, wrapped in flags. - Comment from an article on Antiwar.com (http://antiwar.com) |
Table saw - ripping thin material?
On Apr 26, 1:32*am, David Nebenzahl wrote:
On 4/25/2010 8:39 PM Peabody spake thus: [...] But then I'd like to cut each of the three strips in half again, but this time edge-wise, so that I end up with 1/4" x about 1" x 6' strips. *So that's cutting the 5/8" dimension in half. It's that last cut that bothers me. *I've watched some videos on Youtube on cutting thin material, and it looks like it would be possible to do it with Grip-Tite or GRR-ripper gizmos, but they're just beyond my budget. But it seems it should also be possible to do this cut with clamped featherboards to lock the feed stock against the table and fence, and end by following with a scrap piece of the same dimensions, or perhaps pulling through from the other end. Anyway, I would appreciate any suggestions on how to do this if there is a safe way to do so. This sounds like a job for a bandsaw, not a table saw. What you're doing falls under the heading of resawing. (Not the answer you wanted, I know, but there it is.) -- The fashion in killing has an insouciant, flirty style this spring, with the flaunting of well-defined muscle, wrapped in flags. - Comment from an article on Antiwar.com (http://antiwar.com) Agreed... A band saw with a wide re-saw blade would accomplish this process in a much safer way... ~~ Evan |
Table saw - ripping thin material?
On Apr 26, 12:30*am, David Nebenzahl wrote:
On 4/25/2010 9:42 PM spake thus: On Sun, 25 Apr 2010 22:39:38 -0500, Peabody wrote: I just got a used Craftsman table saw on Craigslist, and would like to rip some long, narrow, thin cedar strips from fence pickets. So for example, I would first rip a 5/8" x 3.5" x 6' picket into three strips of 5/8" x about 1" x 6' by making two cuts. The first cut seems pretty straightforward. The second one - cutting a 2+" strip in half - I also think I can do if I'm careful and have an appropriate push stick. The saw does have the usual blade guard, splitter, and anti-kickback pawls, and a 96-tooth, narrow steel (not carbide) blade that says it's for finishing. But then I'd like to cut each of the three strips in half again, but this time edge-wise, so that I end up with 1/4" x about 1" x 6' strips. So that's cutting the 5/8" dimension in half. It's that last cut that bothers me. I've watched some videos on Youtube on cutting thin material, and it looks like it would be possible to do it with Grip-Tite or GRR-ripper gizmos, but they're just beyond my budget. Clamp a board on the side away from the fence to trap the wood and another block on top so the strip is totally under control. (just not too tight) Run the blade up into the top block and start ripping. The splitter stays but the blade guard is above the top block that will have the blade enclosed anyway. Dunno; that sounds like Kickack City to me. You're not likely to get kickback if the splitter is in place, the board is fed straight, and the board can't move to the top of the teeth. They also sell a strip cutting jig, which allows the anti-kick pawls to work. |
Table saw - ripping thin material?
On 4/25/2010 11:39 PM, Peabody wrote:
I just got a used Craftsman table saw on Craigslist, and would like to rip some long, narrow, thin cedar strips from fence pickets. So for example, I would first rip a 5/8" x 3.5" x 6' picket into three strips of 5/8" x about 1" x 6' by making two cuts. The first cut seems pretty straightforward. The second one - cutting a 2+" strip in half - I also think I can do if I'm careful and have an appropriate push stick. The saw does have the usual blade guard, splitter, and anti-kickback pawls, and a 96-tooth, narrow steel (not carbide) blade that says it's for finishing. But then I'd like to cut each of the three strips in half again, but this time edge-wise, so that I end up with 1/4" x about 1" x 6' strips. So that's cutting the 5/8" dimension in half. It's that last cut that bothers me. I've watched some videos on Youtube on cutting thin material, and it looks like it would be possible to do it with Grip-Tite or GRR-ripper gizmos, but they're just beyond my budget. But it seems it should also be possible to do this cut with clamped featherboards to lock the feed stock against the table and fence, and end by following with a scrap piece of the same dimensions, or perhaps pulling through from the other end. Anyway, I would appreciate any suggestions on how to do this if there is a safe way to do so. I have a 10" mature Craftsman saw. BTW, I don't know where the guard is ... it may have been dumped during the last year move, although I don't dump anything, even though I haven't used it for 30 some years. Anyway, if I were doing just one, I would use 2 people and probably 2 push/holder sticks. The catcher (my wife) can gently pull as the wood comes out the back of the saw. If I were doing many, I have a fence adapter (also Craftsman) with metal hold down springs; 2 provide downward force and 2 push toward the fence. You still need pushers to keep your hands away from the blade. When ripping, I try not to stand "in the line of (kickback) fire, especially on small pieces. But good carbide blades rarely kick back as they'd rather cut than kick. |
Table saw - ripping thin material?
On 4/26/2010 8:34 AM, Art Todesco wrote:
On 4/25/2010 11:39 PM, Peabody wrote: I just got a used Craftsman table saw on Craigslist, and would like I have a 10" mature Craftsman saw. BTW, I don't know where the guard is ... it may have been dumped during the last year move, although I don't dump anything, even though I haven't used it for 30 some years. Anyway, if I were doing just one, I would use 2 people and probably 2 push/holder sticks. The catcher (my wife) can gently pull as the wood comes out the back of the saw. If I were doing many, I have a fence adapter (also Craftsman) with metal hold down springs; 2 provide downward force and 2 push toward the fence. You still need pushers to keep your hands away from the blade. When ripping, I try not to stand "in the line of (kickback) fire, especially on small pieces. But good carbide blades rarely kick back as they'd rather cut than kick. BTW, I didn't say it, be all the typical disclaimers apply. This is the way I do it, YRMV. |
Table saw - ripping thin material?
On Apr 26, 7:34*am, Art Todesco wrote:
On 4/25/2010 11:39 PM, Peabody wrote: I just got a used Craftsman table saw on Craigslist, and would like to rip some long, narrow, thin cedar strips from fence pickets. So for example, I would first rip a 5/8" x 3.5" x 6' picket into three strips of 5/8" x about 1" x 6' by making two cuts. *The first cut seems pretty straightforward. *The second one - cutting a 2+" strip in half - I also think I can do if I'm careful and have an appropriate push stick. *The saw does have the usual blade guard, splitter, and anti-kickback pawls, and a 96-tooth, narrow steel (not carbide) blade that says it's for finishing. But then I'd like to cut each of the three strips in half again, but this time edge-wise, so that I end up with 1/4" x about 1" x 6' strips. *So that's cutting the 5/8" dimension in half. It's that last cut that bothers me. *I've watched some videos on Youtube on cutting thin material, and it looks like it would be possible to do it with Grip-Tite or GRR-ripper gizmos, but they're just beyond my budget. But it seems it should also be possible to do this cut with clamped featherboards to lock the feed stock against the table and fence, and end by following with a scrap piece of the same dimensions, or perhaps pulling through from the other end. Anyway, I would appreciate any suggestions on how to do this if there is a safe way to do so. I have a 10" mature Craftsman saw. *BTW, I don't know where the guard is ... it may have been dumped during the last year move, although I don't dump anything, even though I haven't used it for 30 some years. *Anyway, if I were doing just one, I would use 2 people and probably 2 push/holder sticks. *The catcher (my wife) can gently pull as the wood comes out the back of the saw. Be careful that the "catcher" doesn't pinch the work on the blade. Only the piece next to the fence should be moved. The cut-off piece should be along for the ride. *If I were doing many, I have a fence adapter (also Craftsman) with metal hold down springs; 2 provide downward force and 2 push toward the fence. A featherboard on the table, before the blade, pushing against the fence and one on the fence holding the work down to the table. *You still need pushers to keep your hands away from the blade. Yes, always visualize where your hands are, where the blade is, and where they will be if the blade has its way. Never reach across the blade or put your hands behind the blade and always stand beside the work, out of the firing line. *When ripping, I try not to stand "in the line of (kickback) fire, especially on small pieces. *But good *carbide blades rarely kick back as they'd rather cut than kick. Don't count on carbide blades saving you. It's certainly true that sharp tools are safer than dull, but any blade can kick if you do something stupid. |
Table saw - ripping thin material?
Peabody wrote the following:
Art Todesco says... I have a fence adapter (also Craftsman) with metal hold down springs; 2 provide downward force and 2 push toward the fence. Thanks very much. Do you have more info on this? I can't find it. http://www.owwm.com/photoindex/detail.aspx?id=6312 I have these. I haven't used them in years, but as I recall they worked well. -- Bill In Hamptonburgh, NY In the original Orange County. Est. 1683 To email, remove the double zeroes after @ |
Table saw - ripping thin material?
Peabody wrote the following:
willshak says... I have a fence adapter (also Craftsman) with metal hold down springs; 2 provide downward force and 2 push toward the fence. Thanks very much. Do you have more info on this? I can't find it. http://www.owwm.com/photoindex/detail.aspx?id=6312 I have these. I haven't used them in years, but as I recall they worked well. Thanks. It looks like they still sell a version of this. http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...?keyword=00903 230000&sLevel=0 Other than the price, the only difference is that it has allen screws for adjustments rather than the wing screws on the older version. -- Bill In Hamptonburgh, NY In the original Orange County. Est. 1683 To email, remove the double zeroes after @ |
Table saw - ripping thin material?
There are a few ways to do this safely with a tablesaw. Rather than
trying to describe them here, I recommend you go to your local library and see any good woodworking book on use of the tablesaw. 2 authors that come to mind are Kelly Mehler and (not sure of spelling or 1st name) R. DeCristofero -- Better to be stuck up in a tree than tied to one. Larry Wasserman - Baltimore Maryland - lwasserm(a)sdf. lonestar.org |
Table saw - ripping thin material?
On 4/26/2010 10:20 AM, willshak wrote:
Peabody wrote the following: Art Todesco says... I have a fence adapter (also Craftsman) with metal hold down springs; 2 provide downward force and 2 push toward the fence. Thanks very much. Do you have more info on this? I can't find it. http://www.owwm.com/photoindex/detail.aspx?id=6312 I have these. I haven't used them in years, but as I recall they worked well. Exactly the ones I have also. You attach them to a piece of wood and then the whole thing clamps to the fence. |
Table saw - ripping thin material?
Art Todesco wrote:
On 4/26/2010 10:20 AM, willshak wrote: Peabody wrote the following: Art Todesco says... I have a fence adapter (also Craftsman) with metal hold down springs; 2 provide downward force and 2 push toward the fence. Thanks very much. Do you have more info on this? I can't find it. http://www.owwm.com/photoindex/detail.aspx?id=6312 I have these. I haven't used them in years, but as I recall they worked well. Exactly the ones I have also. You attach them to a piece of wood and then the whole thing clamps to the fence. Sounds like a whole lot of effort, and danger, to avoid simply buying the correct wood stock in the first place. Project coulda been done by now. And if OP has to go out and buy, or fabricate, a lot of table saw accessories he will likely never use again, well, any cost saving from those cheap fence pickets seems rather questionable. I think he'll find that a lot of the pieces end up shattering, either as they are cut, or as they are installed. But if it makes him happy to try, more power to him. -- aem sends... |
Table saw - ripping thin material?
Peabody wrote:
-snip- I learned one other thing today. Even though this saw has a dust bag underneath, I need to be operating it outside in the driveway, and not inside the garage. If you have any kind of a shopvac [though the bigger the better] try hooking the vac to where that bag hangs. Sometimes a Fernco fitting from Lowes/Home Depot is the best way to attach them. And visit some woodworking sites that talk about the dangers of table saws. Always stand to the side- and after you see the speed at which a table saw can toss wood at you you'll become a more cautious operator. Oh- and make some push sticks and featherboards as your first project. Watch your fingers. Jim |
Table saw - ripping thin material?
On Apr 25, 11:39*pm, Peabody wrote:
I just got a used Craftsman table saw on Craigslist, and would like to rip some long, narrow, thin cedar strips from fence pickets. So for example, I would first rip a 5/8" x 3.5" x 6' picket into three strips of 5/8" x about 1" x 6' by making two cuts. *The first cut seems pretty straightforward. *The second one - cutting a 2+" strip in half - I also think I can do if I'm careful and have an appropriate push stick. *The saw does have the usual blade guard, splitter, and anti-kickback pawls, and a 96-tooth, narrow steel (not carbide) blade that says it's for finishing. But then I'd like to cut each of the three strips in half again, but this time edge-wise, so that I end up with 1/4" x about 1" x 6' strips. *So that's cutting the 5/8" dimension in half. It's that last cut that bothers me. *I've watched some videos on Youtube on cutting thin material, and it looks like it would be possible to do it with Grip-Tite or GRR-ripper gizmos, but they're just beyond my budget. But it seems it should also be possible to do this cut with clamped featherboards to lock the feed stock against the table and fence, and end by following with a scrap piece of the same dimensions, or perhaps pulling through from the other end. Anyway, I would appreciate any suggestions on how to do this if there is a safe way to do so. I was doing something similar to this making pieces for a doll house. I made a push stick that was as wide and long as the piece I wanted to rip then pushed the stick through the saw to cut a grove in it. The back of the push stick had a heel the same thickness of the material I was cutting about 1/8 inch. It took longer to make the push stick than rip all the little slats. Jimmie |
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