How to Rip Long Boards on a Table Saw? Step By Step Guide
A table saw is the best tool in any woodworking project that assists in making long but straight cuts precisely and safely. However, making the long cuts with this tool is slightly more tricky than the standard cuts.
Then how to rip long boards on a table saw? When you have the right tool and master some essential skills, ripping any sized wood board with table saws becomes easy as pie. Learning this technique will save you time and money, besides getting ease to work on big projects.
So, join us if you are a beginner or already working in the field but don’t know how to rip the thick wood boards using a table saw. We’ll help you out on every step!
How to Rip Long Boards on a Table Saw? – A Step-by-Step Guide
Ripping the long boards on a table saw is challenging, especially when you’re a beginner and don’t have enough skills to rip wood with more thickness. However, following these steps wisely will help you rip-cut wood having higher diameter;
What Will You Need?
Before moving on, ensure you have the following essential materials and equipment to rip-cut the long boards;
- Fine working table saws
- Rip wood fence and saw blade guard for your table saws
- Riving knife
- Hearing protection
- Safety glasses and other safety equipment
- Cut resistant gloves
- Speed square or straight board
- Rip fence extension (if you have a small-size table saws)
Prepare Your Table Saw
Before moving on, it’s good to consider some pre-cutting parameters. So, ensure that the components like your table saw’s riving knife and blade guard are well in place. The riving knife doesn’t let the wood board pinch to the saw table, and the saw blade guard prevents accidental cuts to your hands. Adjust the table saw blade height and blade depth as per the wood type. A rapidly spinning blade will perform the task well.
Adjust the Table Saw Rip Fence
For those who don’t know, the rip fence is a part of the table saw that guides the long wood boards straight line and parallel to the saw blade during the rip cuts. Adjust the rip fence so that the distance between the blade and fence is identical to the board length you will work on. A square speed or straight board can help you ensure the board is parallel to the blade.
Use a Push Sticks or Push Block
The push sticks or push block is very fruitful, as these will guide the wood through the cut without bringing the hands closer to the blade.
Inspect the Wood
Some wood defects like warping and knots result in kickback during cutting, which may even hurt you. So, inspect the wood piece to be cut close to avoid such issues. Then put the wood board on the saw table with the cutting side pointing up and flat to the blade guard and the fence.
Make a Cut
Now, plugin the table saw, turn it on and push the wood through its blade. Ensure you wear safety glasses, hearing protection, and other gear. Try standing slightly on the side of the table saw and keeping your hands away from the blade.
Additional Tips to Rip-Cut Long Boards
Longboards are prone to sagging and chipping to the blade, so use an extension for cutting wood boards with more lengths. If you can’t manage extensions, ask someone for help who will be holding the wood when it exits the table saw. The rest of the steps are identical for all projects.
Ripping Thin Strips
Ripping wood thin strips with a table saw is relatively easy. Adjust the rip fence and blade guard and consider using a miter gauge or push block to guide the wood through your table saw blade.
Safety Precautions to Consider
Ripping the long boards on a table saw accompanies some challenges and risks. But these safety precautions will help you in safe cut the long wood boards on a table saw;
- Always use protective gear like hearing protection, safety glasses, gloves, etc.
- Try using the push block or push sticks to guide the board through the table saw. It’s good to have your own push sticks to use in the upcoming projects as well.Stand on slightly either side of the table saw and keep your hands away from the blade
- Never work with table saws with loose clothing or jewellery
- Ensure that the wood doesn’t have any defect.
- Retrieve the stuck wood from the blade once the table saw blade has stopped.
Conclusion
In conclusion, how to rip long boards on a table saw? One can easily cut the long wood boards on most table saws by using the push block or push stick, adjusting the blade guard and ripping wood fence, and using the fence extensions. Also, learn how to Rip Wood without a Table Saw here.
Most table saws come with the manufacturer’s instruction manual. Get help with these, besides following the above techniques for ripping long stock on a table saw. But never compromise on safety precautions and always use special gear to be safe and secure during the project.
FAQs
How do you rip a long piece of wood with a table saw?
Using a table saw extension or getting the assistance of anyone, utilizing a push stick or block, and adjusting the fence and blade guard placement, you can cut the long piece of wood with a table saw just like any circular saw. You can use the saw guide if you face any issues. Remember rip cuts have same direction as to wood grain.
How do you rip long pieces of wood?
To cut the long pieces of wood, prepare your table saw, adjust its blade guard and rip fence as per needs, and make a cut with any saw type. You can use the push stick and rip-cut extensions if needed, but ensure your safety throughout the cutting process.
How do you rip narrow boards with a table saw?
Making rip cuts in the thin strips or boards with a table saw becomes too easy by adjusting the rip fence and blade guard and following cutting the board patiently. A feather board is the best tool that can help beginners to hold the board with the table.
What table saw blade is best for ripping?
Unlike the crosscut blade, a rip blade should have more flat-topped and fewer teeth. Generally, the blade with a tooth count of 24-30 helps rip the wood smoothly and accurately.