Rockler "Thin Rip Tablesaw Jig"

easterngray · Post by **easterngray** » Thu Apr 26, 2012 12:26 pm

Another great way to cut thin strips on the table saw is to use an original Incra jig with it's own fence in place of the SS rip fence. You can cut duplicate thin strips quickly, accurately and safely. Alec

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Thu Apr 26, 2012 12:37 pm

easterngray wrote:Another great way to cut thin strips on the table saw is to use an original Incra jig with it's own fence in place of the SS rip fence. You can cut duplicate thin strips quickly, accurately and safely. Alec

You do get accuracy and repeatability ripping thin pieces this way but still - if the cut off is between the fence and the blade chances are very good that it will come shooting out from the in feed side of the blade.

A helper, stationed on the out feed side, can prevent that but an inexperienced helper can get hurt there too and can create problems if he/she mishandles the cut off.

reible · Post by **reible** » Thu Apr 26, 2012 1:54 pm

A couple of rules I use for thin strips.

ALWAYS use a ZCI

Nothing thinner then 1/8" between blade and fence. (Requires special equipment to get this thin, examples being, Grr-Ripper, Fence straddler, special spacer fence, splitter to name a few).

Rip blade, glue line if possible.

Thinner then 1/8" cut to the outside of blade.

I have managed cuts to the .003" to .004" range but at that point it becomes difficult due to blade "wind" and other issues. When you get to about .007" it is easier.

BTW the thin cuts I did this thin were for a project my wife want to try. Bookmarks with "paper punch" designs. In order to punch them they have to be quite thin.

Right now I don't know if she has any left for me to show you. About the best I can do is show you this .010 thick ribbon that is from another craft project.

[ATTACH]17298[/ATTACH]

Ed

easterngray · Post by **easterngray** » Thu Apr 26, 2012 6:34 pm

Dusty - that's the beauty of the Incra Jig. The thin strips are on the "waste" side of the blade. Let's say your using a thin kerf blade that's 3/32" wide. If you move the Incra jig fence to the left 1/8", you will cut a 1/32" strip. Move it another 1/8" and cut again, another 1/32" strip, etc. See this link. It's a more elaborate Incra product, but the original jig will do the same thing. Alec

terrydowning · Post by **terrydowning** » Thu Apr 26, 2012 6:34 pm

The push block is similar in function to the grrriper. Although, the blade can bog don on the push block, especially the first pass.

I'm learning not to trifle with kick back on the TS, it's just not worth the potential for personal damage.

Bottom line if you feel unsafe performing an operation, it probably is unsafe and you should not be doing it. If you feel safe doing something, then by all means, have at it. It really is a personal judgement call.

Last and certainly not least, if you've been performing an operation for as long as you can remember and never got hurt, you may want to step back, re-examine the operation and consider safety. Complacency is just as if not more dangerous than inattention or a lack of experience.

Personally, I'm looking into ways to eliminate table saw use as much as possible. I have a sliding compound miter saw, so crosscutting has already been greatly reduced if not eliminated. I break down sheet goods with my circular saw. My stacked dado blade got placed n the drawer since it really needs to be re-sharpened. I have a router and that handles dado chores nicely. I need to get a band saw so I can eliminate working with small stock on the table saw as well. For as long as it's been around, the table saw is not always the safest tool in the shop, there are alternatives.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Thu Apr 26, 2012 7:10 pm

easterngray wrote:Dusty - that's the beauty of the Incra Jig. The thin strips are on the "waste" side of the blade. Let's say your using a thin kerf blade that's 3/32" wide. If you move the Incra jig fence to the left 1/8", you will cut a 1/32" strip. Move it another 1/8" and cut again, another 1/32" strip, etc. See this link. It's a more elaborate Incra product, but the original jig will do the same thing. Alec

You are absolutely correct. I did not give this enough thought before I spoke.

Ed in Tampa · Post by **Ed in Tampa** » Fri Apr 27, 2012 10:58 am

terrydowning wrote:Personally, I'm looking into ways to eliminate table saw use as much as possible. I have a sliding compound miter saw, so crosscutting has already been greatly reduced if not eliminated. I break down sheet goods with my circular saw. My stacked dado blade got placed n the drawer since it really needs to be re-sharpened. I have a router and that handles dado chores nicely. I need to get a band saw so I can eliminate working with small stock on the table saw as well. For as long as it's been around, the table saw is not always the safest tool in the shop, there are alternatives.

SMART MOVE!!!!!!! Home Hobbiest in Europe had already learned that lesson. Or perhaps it was legislated on them. Whatever in any case most don't use tablesaws at all.

You can't experience tablesaw injuries or tablesaw kick back if you don't use a table saw.

terrydowning · Post by **terrydowning** » Fri Apr 27, 2012 12:18 pm

Ed in Tampa wrote:SMART MOVE!!!!!!! Home Hobbiest in Europe had already learned that lesson. Or perhaps it was legislated on them. Whatever in any case most don't use tablesaws at all.

You can't experience tablesaw injuries or tablesaw kick back if you don't use a table saw.

While I'm not typically a fan of European ways (I've lived in Europe, so I know from what I speak). I'll admit the inclination to start working around/go without the table saw is inspired from our European brothers. That and the cost of upgrading to the larger 510/520 table (mostly to get the better splitter) just doesn't sit well with me. Even with used parts it's still almost $300 to do the upgrade once you include the guards, updated arbors etc. That's $300 I could spend on material for projects or other tooling as far as I'm concerned. I know I can get a reconditioned SS band saw for $150. So that's my plan. I'll still have the 500 Table saw functionality if I need it or it's more efficient, It's just not my go to anymore.

Terry

edflorence · Post by **edflorence** » Fri Apr 27, 2012 12:56 pm

I am as big a fan of working safely as anybody on this forum, yet I find myself compelled to say a few words in defense of the table saw. I agree that ts injuries can happen in the blink of an eye and the results can be extremely nasty, but the same can be said of missing a step while coming down a flight of stairs. Life is full of potentials for this sort of stuff. Is that enough reason to quit using stairs? Probably not. Is it enough reason to quit using a table saw? That is a tougher question and the answer for some may be "yes." However, before we all trade in our table saws for bandsaws because we are trying to avoid kickback, we should consider that any tool that spins at speed is capable of kicking back. Chain saws, sanding disks, sanding drums, drill presses, hand-held power drills, lathes and jointers are a few I can think of off the top of my head. Do we walk away from all tools whose business ends spin rapidly? Granted, not having to worry about kickback is one of the pleasures of working with hand tools and I will employ a hand saw or plane or chisel or brace/bit at every opportunity. But when you need power, repeatability and speed the table saw can provide them all. For me, the bottom line is yes, using the ts can be quite dangerous but like most things the cost/benefit comparison has to be considered. Stack the odds in favor of the benefit side of the ratio by learning good technique, keeping the saw aligned and maintained, not making any cuts until you are confident in the set-up, learning the why's and hows of kickbacks and always maintaing a healthy respect for the tool. Similar to a chainsaw...that tool has a way of weeding out the users who get too comfortable with it. Keep a little edge of anxiety and respect as you approach the table saw and enjoy the power it gives you to reduce stock quickly and easily and accurately.

OK, end of sermon.

And of course, one size does not fit all and if anyone really feels strongly about not using their table saw, its OK with me.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Fri Apr 27, 2012 2:58 pm

Ed in Tampa wrote:SMART MOVE!!!!!!! Home Hobbiest in Europe had already learned that lesson. Or perhaps it was legislated on them. Whatever in any case most don't use tablesaws at all.

You can't experience tablesaw injuries or tablesaw kick back if you don't use a table saw.

My offer to accept your power tools (especially your dangerous Shopsmith) free gratis still stands. Just let me know and I'll give you a shipping address.