Here's A Simple Technique For Safely Ripping Wood Strips
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 14 ต.ค. 2024
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I consider a tablesaw to be the most dangerous woodworking tool. That said, proper training on the safe use of the saw is critically important.
If you have never been properly trained, "The Table Saw Book," by Kelly Mehler is an excellent manual for learning how to safely use a table saw, and it has all kinds of other pertinent information for someone who is new to using table saws. Check it out here: amzn.to/2KvBAym
That book is also available in Kindle for about half the price of the paperback: amzn.to/2MMunXJ
For visual learners (that's me), Kelly Mehler has a Taunton Press DVD. It's more pricy that the book, but a small price to pay for the instruction. I believe this dvd is an older VHS production that has been updated to dvd. I watched the older VHS back when it first came out, and it was very good: amzn.to/2KKIsnC
Those are affiliate links. If you make a purchase at Amazon, they kick a few cents my way. You won't pay any extra when using the links. Thank you.
This is an old trick, but IMO can be made a little safer by picking up the piece before it gets so close to blade, where you can control it better because it is still over the edge of the table.
enjoyed your technique
Ive been doing this technique for a while and while id really recommend it to those with experience with table saws, it definitely works. But like he says, you must be careful about feeding the other end into the blade by sliding it, not coming down on the blade (never do that regardless). I cut shims for a window recently using this very technique....thanks for sharing, excellent video
My dad's been doing this for years. I finally got my own table saw yesterday, and I've been seeing so many techniques and safety gizmos that I thought he may have been doing it wrong. Good to see that these old school techniques are still valid.
The old timers are f****** amazing these guys are just what it's all about
Amazing how some simple tricks in life that could be a major game changer could easily be missed or overlooked. There are tons of them in life.
this is exactly what I needed. Thank you so much for the tip.
I am just starting out and I have a GREAT deal of respect for the table saw. I am about to rip some thin stock into even thinner stock and this technique might very well have saved me from losing a finger or two. Can't thank you enough for this tip and also the added bonus tip of finding out if your blade is square to the table. Excellent stuff. It is a pleasure to watch a real pro.
This is absolutely great, and I have not seen this discussed before in this way. I use this trick all the time. Safe, and makes it easy to rip long stock by myself. Wow. Super terrific!!
Big tip for quick and safe ripping. Thanks!
Excellent idea, thank you for showing. That cut was ok for external trellis work
Couple of points. By feeding the stock in this manner, so that the cut piece is against the fence, rather than the stock piece, makes kickback more likely. I know it makes setting the fence easier for the desired thickness of cut timber, but you just have to add the thickness of the kerf to the fence position to get accurate strips by holding the stock piece against the fence and the cut piece is free of being trapped and causing kickback. Also, as long as your stock is square and the blade at 90 deg, a safer method is to set the blade height at just over half the thickness of the timber, after the first full pass, turn the timber over and another full pass to complete the cut, that way the blade is buried within the stock and less likely to cut you if something goes wrong.
Interesting.
That maybe true but that’s usually not how it goes. This technique is so easy n It works and it’s quick. I install hardwood most of my life in the family business there’s just no time for jigs. The next guy just gonna take it off to do what this guy did lol
If you're concerned with the lifting you can always turn off the saw before flipping the piece you're cutting. May make saw burns but my saw is a little dodge so I use this technique, saves fear of kick back and losing fingers. Also I only go to half way with both cuts, keep as much control as possible.
💯
I do this, was never taught, but seemed like a good idea vs pushing through with a push stick. Still getting used to the table saw, but fear can make you respect it more. Great video!
I learnt this technique only a couple of days ago from a video of the late Bob Chase which he called ”cutting wood strips using the flip method”, and I must say that I was an instant convert. What I've learnt from this video is how to lift the piece safely (hopefully 🤞🏼. And at least for longer boards)) at the end of the first of the two part cutting process. Thank you!🙏🏽
"The flip method." I like that. Didn't know it had a name. I'll have to look up Bob Chase. Thank you for the information and positive feedback. 👍
I learned so much from the late Mr. Bob Chase. RIP
I'd be reluctant to recommend this technique to anyone who doesn't have much experience. There's alot that can go wrong with that lifting motion. You did it so effortlessly. And you lifted it very evenly with no tilt. But I'd be worried about the scenario where the operator...while lifting the piece with his left hand, rotates the piece enough for the teeth to catch the material. Seems very possible to happen...especially with so many repetitions.
This right here. That’s a kickback event waiting to happen. As soon as he lifted it up i noped the hell out of this.
I don’t think it’s as risky as it seems. I was able to do it a few times these past few days. As long as you maintain a firm grip and are deliberate about it you should be fine.
@@bernarddouthit4647 "should" being the operative word.
could also let the blade slow down before lifting, couldn't you?
My thought is would it be equally safe with hardwood, making thin strips for cutting board. Afterwards obviously would send it through a planer..
Speaking of Ground Cherries...I saw your video from last season and I ordered seeds from Fruition. I have 8 plants growing in my containers and so far they are looking good. I have a feeling it will be jungle-like very soon! Can't wait to try these fruits. Thanks so much.
Brilliant. Thanks for the tip, Herrick!
Perfect! Just did 10. Confidence and intention is the key.
Very helpful tip! Thank you 👍
Great video. Thanks for the tip!
How many college products do you other viewers happen on that can present something this useful in a succinct and lucid context? No idea of Herrick's background, possibly a Rhoades Scholar for all I know. Enjoyed the clear, succinct demonstration and thanks for sharing. I have hundreds of feet of 3" strips to rip and Herrick and TH-cam just gave me and edge on speed and safety. Thank you!
Cool.
Thanks for the tip much appreciated thanks 🙏
Thank you for saving my fingers!
Thanks for the tip. I agree about the blade gaurds. They usually get in the way, catch the wood, and cause less than perfect results in the finish. There is no substitute for having a healthy fear of the spinning blade and staying clear of it.
I love anything that makes things safer
Wisdom thank you!
Thanks for the tip! Gonna try it tomorrow!
thank you .. great idea
Great tip. But my dad needs pieces of stock that are 3/16 by 1/4 by several feet long. Do you have a technique to feed one of those thin strips into the saw to split it into 3/16? I think it will chatter badly and be dangerous if I try it.
Now I can finally make that straight cradle out of 2by4's for my painting panels.
Amazing tip !
THANK YOU
I was about to split some 8' furring strips for garden trestles, and thought it wise to check TH-cam first. First up was Herrick's video . . . . 5 stars! By the way, the drone commercial is described as a 'Dangerous scam page' by my anti-virus. Googles should ban those sellers!
Or make a jig (small enough for site work) to cut on the offsite repeatedly. Or use a gripper to push through, I've done tiny wafers accurately with one of those.
Great tip
Nothing replaces getting a tip from an old timer with experience. I’ve never gotten a bad tip from them.
A great flip and rip for a thin strip tip
Would it be safer AND just as accurate if I stop the saw blade before I flip it? Its not as fast but I'm a weekend woodwarrior who has seen a fair share of hand injuries from kick back because of my profession and lifting the wood out then flipping it 180 seemed like a recipe for trouble if i am only a bit off diagonally in my vertical lifting of the wood.
Yes, just as accurate. Probably safer. Definitely slower. But do what you feel safest doing.
Gold... thank you
I agree with those saying that this technic is dangerous. I think there are safer ways to archieve this. Like doing 2 passes where the balde is just avobe the middle of the board. That way you can safetly use a push block to control the piece going all the way till the end of the cut.
Agreed. There is great appreciation warranted for "old school" techniques and experience but that doesn't mean those techniques should be continued. With all due respect.
This is the correct method.
@@Burritosarebetterthantacos may be "correct" but is is dangerous and naive
@@VaracolacidVesci No, Im saying your method is correct😂👍
Done this plenty when you need a quick thin shim. It’s pretty hard to avoid saw marks where the cuts meet even when the saw is square. Its probably safer than trying to rip through pushing with a skinny stick. A flat ways 2x4 with a trailing edge stop jig as long as the strips you need is safer.
Have you got the riving knife on there
I am 70 and used a ripped that way this week. I don't know when I started doing that. I know I was making shims for the dishwasher. I was wondering if I am too old to use the table saw.
Interesting!
I saw a video where they turned off table saw in middle of cut then turned wood around , THEN turned table saw back on and finished cut. Not for beginners like me but interesting to see different ideas.
Hi. Thanks for this great tip. I’m a novice table saw user so wanted to clarify. I noticed that the side you’re wanting to be cut (i.e. the thin strip) is between the fence and the blade. Isn’t that counter to usual practice? Could you please explain the benefits/ downsides of doing it your way versus the other way (I.e where the piece to be cut off or the “off cut” is on the outside or left side of the blade)? Thanks
I had wondered the same thing! :) I believe the reason would be so that he can make repeatable width cuts (the thin bit) without adjusting the fence each time.
Thanks for answering this, Matt. You are correct. As long as there is solid support under the thin piece, multiple strips can be cut and they will all be exactly the same width. Readjusting the fence for each cut is often recommended, but no professional I know does that. It is time consuming and doesn't easily result in width cuts that are precisely the same.
I feel like you can cut faster that was as both pieces in your hands, definitely for a very professional person, I am not gonna try that any time soon 🙈, thank you for sharing
Too professional
Anybody ever tell you you look like Chong from Cheech and Chong? Great video thanks.
No. But I can't go out in public without complete strangers coming up to me and telling me I look like Sean Connery. 😂
Thanks
good stuff mate
I’ve been using this method now for a while, It’s been the best and safest for me so far and I make plenty of slats from 2x8s. Thanks for the tip.
Thats a great tip. Would even help cutting longer stock in a shorter smaller space. Ok you got to get the blade as near as possible but hay you should be able to do that if your running a table saw thumbs up ;-)
This is great! I was just ripping a 2x4 and found it to be a bit intimidating. What I did though was to just turn the saw off rather than lift my piece up. Like other people have mentioned, that takes some real skill. One question - are you sure the blade marks are because your blade wasn't quite 90 degrees or are these just due to small changes in the piece's distance from the fence?
Yeah honestly I don't understand why you wouldn't turn the saw off, what is it an extra five seconds? Smh, good video nonetheless. As soon as he says just go on and lift it up, I'm just like wtf? I have to admit he does say this is simply a technique, and you should know proper kickback safety precautions as he clearly would have to doing dangerous stunts like this on the reg.
Interesting. But, 4 a newbie like me, I'll b turning off the saw. That seems like a viable option.
@@artv4nd3l4y I assume he has a LOT of cuts to make, so given his skill and experience, shutting is off each time plus the potential of burn marks on the wood, I can see why he does it that way. For the average person, though, I agree with you and I will be turning the saw off when I try it. Personally, I would just buy lattice or the strips in this situation, but I am not a carptener of 40 years like himself.
Are you the Herrick Kimball that wrote a book called Making Plastic Laminate Countertops?
@@glennphelps9300 yes. You found me. 👍😁
@@herrickkimball I knew nothing about the subject but from your book I built 8 laminate countertops with backsplash and all turned out fantastic. To this date, your book is the best book I’ve ever read (probably 6 times). Thank you so much!1111
Great tip thax
Subbed. Great stuff.
I cut my thumb twice cutting thin strips. The 1st time required bandages. The 2nd time required 4 stitches. I’ll use this method next time. Or just move the fence the required thickness.
Make sure you pack your thumb in ice when you cart it to the hospital surgeon.
Easy and safe way to rip thin strips is to use adjustable stoppers jig. There are many videos in youtube.
👍
I’d turn the machine off for the switch around, seems good sense just in case.♥️♥️♥️
I make them from the left side not against the fence . I go 1/2 only not as much as he does and use a safety blade, this way the stock is against the fence and be held as so by the riving blade, the ripped small piece would be at left, less danger if anything has to fly out BUT the riving knife is also keeping this small piece away. so it ends up like this \I I as it passes the safety blade.
I’ll stick to my push stick thanks
This is very dangerous and honestly yes maybe it might save your fingers but lifting that piece can cause it you shoot back and cause serious damage. Please for the love of god understand what this guy is telling you.
You could always turn the saw off before you lift.
This technique is not "very dangerous." If someone follows my instructions and cautions, there is zero chance of a kickback. Lifting a piece of wood straight up as I show in this video does not result in a kickback. Never. If you set the wood down on the spinning blade after lifting it, then you will experience a kickback. But I explain that caution in this video. I experienced a couple of serious kickbacks early in my career as a carpenter (40 years ago). They did not happen with this technique. This technique is completely safe if followed as I explain. But anyone who is not comfortable with it should not use it. Thanks for your concern.
@@herrickkimball “not very dangerous if they follow my instructions”. Just because you never experienced kickback with this doesn’t mean someone who doesn’t know won’t. Not to mention your cut wasn’t even straight, just buy a push stick and a digital angle finder. We’re talking like 30 bucks at most. Add some support on the out feed and you’re golden.
Can't do that, sorry 😄
I still use a guard.
Even without a guard I know it's a matter of time
Bit late to the comments.. but why not just use a pusher stick or something and push it all the way thru? If this is to just show another way to do it sure.. but it seems like a pusher jig of some sort that ride the fence keeps your hands away all the way through and you dont have to flip it.
Nahh, that is just not safe in any possible way, lifting wood while the blade is running is an invite for disaster. You basically run the danger to pinch the blade, the blade can then grab the wood and throw it your way.
I always go about half way before I flip it
I still don't want to buy a table saw because I'm scared to cut my fingers off and kick backs.
Dangerous technique
This is not an ideal method of ripping thin strips of wood on the table saw, in fact, it's quite dangerous and not many woodworkers use this method.
If it slips…..RIP.
Still to close for me. Lol
Horrible idea. You should delete this dangerous video. A lot can go wrong when “lifting”. Kickback waiting to happen.
The video is not dangerous. Kickbacks are serious but no one who follows the technique in this video as I've shown and explained it will ever have a kickback. The man I learned this from was a high school shop teacher. I've used this technique for nearly 40 years. I've taught it to others. I have no intention of removing a teaching video that fully explains a useful table saw technique technique and provides proper safety advice for that technique.
Don't do that. That is dangerous and stupid.
I question the safety of lifting the piece like that with the saw running. Would it not kick back if your lift was not perfectly straight? Not intending to criticize, but would rather not find out the hard way.
Lift it straight up. I’ve done it hundreds of times, if not thousands, over the years with no problem. The guy who taught me this was a high school shop teacher. Most professional carpenters do this. Just lift straight up and clear of the blade. Don’t let the piece drop back down onto the spinning blade.
I WILL NOT be doing this anytime soon.......or ever.
Thank you
Thank You