A great method for ripping thin strips

[easterngray]

I recently watched this video instruction on a method of ripping thin strips:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FullQWi2ZwM

I set the SS featherboard up to accomplish this my 500 this morning and it worked like a charm. I moved the carriage and headstock all the way to the right to utilize the extension table due to the width of the stock being ripped. I cut seven 1/4" strips and every one of them were the same dimensions - works great and very easy! I am going to try and cut thinner strips tonight. I also was able to use the upper saw guard with no problem while doing this. Alec

[dusty]

Thanks for the link. This was very informative and presents a very safe way of doing something that many of us do frequently.

[easterngray]

Temps are approaching 40 degrees this morning so I was able to get out into the shop and fine tune this technigue. I made a zero-clearance insert from some hardboard and was able to rip strips down to 1/32" pretty consistantly, 1/16" with great consistancy. This was with the SS featherboard - I think with a stiffer feather board consistancy would improve. I also noticed that the leading finger on the SS featherboard, the one closest to the blade, is a tad longer then the ones aft of it. When setting the fence I placed the stock tight to the fingers aft of the first one. I could not use my upper guard with the zero clearance insert. Good woodworking wishes to all! Alec

[cincinnati]

I use this rip jig from rockler. Would have to rig it to fit the shopsmith miter slot.

Look at the video. Anyone reads lips? I don't think he said "fun" LOL!!!

http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?Offerings_ID=18056&TabSelect=Videos

[curiousgeorge]

Here is one I made a couple of years ago. It's from Shop Notes and I don't remember which issue, sorry. I use it on the table saw and the band saw. It works great.

[charlese]

Thanks, Curious! If I have a need for many thin strips, I'll look up that issue. Better yet, I'll look up that issue and put it on my list of project references.

So far if in the need for a strip or two I'll just set up and use the cutoffs. Can thickness plane down to 1/8".

[paul heller]

I watched the Rockler video and I don't understand. In the beginning of the video, his piece of wood kicks back after the thin strip has already been cut off and the wood is almost all the way through the blade. The video claims the jig will prevent this. How? It seems to me kickback can still occur with this jig.

What am I missing? It only seems to me this particular jig makes things faster and easier, but not necessarily safer.

The youtube video approach seems much safer, with both the featherboard (rather than the Rockler ball bearing!) and the overhanging box jig.

Paul

[JPG40504]

I do not understand any difference either in any of the methods. I think doing the dumb thing he did with any of these methods would also kick back. He DID intentionally cause the kickback!