There is a variety of how to rip longboards on table saw you can possibly make in different woodworking projects. These include strip rips, long rips, or squaring rips where long workpieces should be managed through the cutting station on the table saw.
However, ripping longboards on table saw could be tricky and come with safety hazards. The proper procedure is required for accurate ripping results while preventing kickback during the operation. Let’s dig more information about ripping longboards on the table saw.
Table saw rip cut Safely
You can basically avoid most injuries and incidents related to use a table saw during the operation. Check fundamental tips for making rip cuts on the table saw below
Save your fingers with a push stick
Most table saws come with a push stick that enables you to push the board or workpieces on their end edge when ripping them completely on the table saw. As for how to rip boards with a table saw safely, don’t use your fingers towards the blade to complete ripping the material but use this magical push stick. You can buy separate push sticks for spare or make DIY ones from scrap woods or boards in your workshop.
Install the blade guard that came with your saw
Table saws mostly come with the blade guard that’s usually attached to the blade guard. It has an open-close or up-down mechanism that guards the blade against being exposed and would only open at the thickness of the board or workpiece as it’s pushed toward the blade. It’s very tempting to remove the blade guard to have more flexibility in ripping wood with table saw or cutting thicker materials but even professional woodworkers would discourage you from doing that.
Support long rips with an outfeed table
When it comes to how to rip longboards on the table saw in your workshop, you better extend the support for the workpieces with an outfeed table. This application allows even longboards to keep supported along the way of cutting without a chance of dropping on one side and lifting on another side that can lead to chipping or even kickback.
You can rip thin strips safely too
You can make use of the adjustable plywood fence extension that you can calibrate based on the thickness you want to achieve. Guide the board along the extension to rip through the length of the material but don’t forget to use a push stick or push block to complete ripping at the end.
Here’s a trick for straightening crooked boards
You can basically straighten the crooked boards by attaching the board or workpiece to a straight or pre-straightened board that would work as the fence guide or jig. As you’re pushing the crooked boards towards the blade against the fence, the straight jig would guide you through the ripping process until completed. The result is the crooked side of the workpiece would be as straight as the jig. You can repeat the procedure to straighten the other side.
Required Tools for this Project
When it’s about how to rip longboards on table saw projects whether it’s for home improvements, wood crafts, or DIY woodworking, ensure that you have all the required tools. These include
- Table saw
- Blade guard and riving knife
- Push stick, shoe, or block
- Commercial or DIY outfeed table
- Straight jig or calibrated fence
- Fence extension
- Clamps
How to use a table saw
Safety protocols are very important in table saw cutting wood and long boards or when operating it for other cuts. These are some table saw safety tips you better follow to avoid possible hazards when promptly using one.
- Avoid using gloves: No professional woodworkers use safety gloves for reasons. You can either lose the touch feel when feeding the workpieces towards the blade or even lose control.
- Complete your safety wears: Except for the gloves you better use all necessary safety wears including helmet, eye & hearing protector, non-slip shoe, etch.
- Anti Kickback position: Be sure to avoid in-line position with the table saw blade to make you out of the line of the possible kickback throughout times.
- Safe blade replacement: Disconnect the power cord of the table saw before changing the blade for precaution. You can use gloves this time to prevent the blade from scratching your hands.
- Parallel fence: You can either keep the fence straightly parallel to the blade or slightly kicked out to prevent the most possible kickbacks. Ensure that your fence is 100% straight when loosened and locked.
- Recalibrate All Mechanism: Different systems in a table saw are slightly or completely adjustable. Whether it’s the blade installation, fence system, trunnion, slots, blade lifts, or riving knife needs a proper calibration for longboards and ripping 2×6 on table saw before you operate the table saw.
Instructions
Please follow the instructions on how to rip longboards on a table saw properly below for efficient and safe operation.
1. Set the Blade Depth
The blade depth must slightly but not excessively be higher than the thickness of the workpiece you want to cut. If you want to cut dados, the depth must be exactly the same as the depth of the slots you want to make. Use the blade lift console to adjust the blade up and down to the correct depth.
2. Marking the Workpiece for Cutting
Even though the table saw has a ruler guide in conjunction with the fence, it’s still important to mark the workpiece you want to cut. This would help you to follow the correct measurement for how do you use a table saw while ensuring whether the fence or miter guide works perfectly.
3. Set the Table Saw Fence
Read the ruler in the rear of the table saw fence and find the width you want to set. You can use feather boards or fence extensions depending on your need. Lock the fence properly after setting the correct measurement for how to rip longboards on table saw in the workshop.
4. Set Featherboard
When ripping boards or wood planks, you better set the feather board that works as your hand extension to push down the workpiece towards the table and push against the fence.
5. Position Outfeed Support
As for how to rip longboards on the table saw in your shop or job site, you must set up the correct position of the outfeed support. It should be the same or slightly below the table saw base for smooth out feeding of the workpiece.
6. Rip-Cut the Workpiece
Once you’ve set the blade, fence, feather board, and the outfeed support properly, then it’s time to rip-cut the workpiece. When it comes to how to rip longboards on a table saw properly, you can start feeding the boards through the feather board that extends your handling.
7. Finish the Cut Using a Push Stick
When the workpiece feeding is coming to an end, grab your push stick or push shoe to finish the cut instead of using your bare hands. Push or feed the workpiece to the table saw blade until it’s completely cut.
8. Power Down the Table Saw
You can repeat the procedure of cutting long boards on table saw for the next workpieces and when you’ve finished cutting, you can power down the table saw. Only turn your table saw back on only if you already have other boards ready to be cut.
How do you cut a board lengthwise with a table saw
The key to how to rip longboards on the table saw effectively is the configuration of the table saw that you’re previously set. Here’s how you can do it
- Tilt and adjust the blade depth slightly above the thickness of the board
- Prepare and set the outfeed support
- Set and lock the fence on the cutting width you want to achieve
- Apply fence extension when needed
- Turn on your table saw and start feeding the boards
- Use the push stick or push block to complete the cut
- Turn off your table saw
FAQ
How do you cut long wood on a table saw?
Here’s how to rip longboards on a table saw efficiently:
- Set the correct depth of the blade by extending it by 1/8 inch deeper than the thickness
- Mark the cutting line on the longboard
- Set the fence of the table saw
- Set the outfeed table or support
- Put on your safety wears for eye and hearing
- Cut the wood safely
- Complete the cut with push stick/shoe
- Turn off the table saw
How do you rip longboards?
You can rip longboards by hand or by using power tools including a circular saw, jigsaw, or table saw. Among them, a table saw is the most efficient tool to use for how to rip longboards on the table saw as you can feed on the workpiece effectively and get completely square and straight cutting results.
Can you rip 2×4 on a table saw?
Yes, you can rip 2×4 on the table saw with tight fencing and proper blade depth. It’s highly suggested to use feather board to tightly feed 2×4 woods onto the table saw blade. Always mark the cutting line on the workpiece even if you’re using fence and feather boards.
What kind of saw makes curved cuts in plywood?
Jigsaw is the most common power saw used to cut curves in plywood or boards. Scroll saws and band saws with tighter blades. They can also do the job with less flexibility due to their limited throat. you can discover jigsaw vs bandsaw vs scroll saw for better cuts.
What type of stock should never be ripped on the table saw?
You know rip longboards on a table saw but you should never cut round stock on it. The table saw isn’t designed to rip or support round logs as you need to use a band saw instead.
Final Message
Learning how to rip longboards on the table saw isn’t difficult but you must follow the proper steps to get the results you desire and avoid possible hazards when cutting with this power saw. You need to set up the blade, fence, outfeed, and any extension to accommodate the cutting width you want to achieve.
You must feed the longboard to the blade consistently. Then use the push stick or push shoe to complete cutting the material on the table saw. Safety gears to protect eyes and ears are a must but the use of gloves in this project isn’t advisable. In the end, you must turn off your table saw after cutting a workpiece.
Hi their! I am working with daily instruments since 2018. I complete my M.SC in Mechanical Engineering. I accomplished with commencement in 2009 from the College of Colorado Denver. Now I am working for a widely known tools firm. Sometimes i write informative article on my blog weeklytools.com & dailytools.com