Can I rip 3" poplar on my BT?

[JoeyGee]

This may be a dumb question, but I have only used my BT a couple times so far--on 3/4" pine. I need to make some posts for my daughter's bed, which will be made out of 3" poplar. I just want to make sure I am not going blow the motor or the belts.

I am making the NYW Trundle bed. I made one for my son, but at the time I had a Grizzly 1023S, which had NO problem with 3" poplar : )

No offense to my BT, but I sure miss that saw...

[leehljp]

The BT can cut 3 full inches without a problem. However, you might need to feed it a little slower than you would on the Grizzly. This is a relative thing. Some people can judge the proper feed speed by the sound of the motor, but some have difficulty with that.

[Knottscott]

You might want to consider a getting a 24T ripping blade for thick materials anyway...always handy to have and a bit easier on the motor.

[Wood_workur]

make multiple passes- but with a cut down riving knife.

[JimD]

I did 3 1/2 inch oak with the stock blade but had to go pretty slow. I now use a Freud 24 tooth ripping blade for the thick stuff. It goes a bit quicker but the stock blade will do the job. Poplar should be easier.

Jim

[meika123]

As I posted on another forum, I use a Freud 24 tooth blade for ripping. However, the stock blade should do it, no problem. If it doesn't, I think I would get rid of it. (Just kiddin )
Seriously though, I have ripped 3 1/2" stock in one pass with my stock blade. Like the other guys said, just feed it a little slower.

Dave in NC

[bigsteel15]

make multiple passes- but with a cut down riving knife.

The riving knife shouldn't interfere with non-through cuts if adjusted properly.
Although I have the SG on mine so I could be wrong about the stock unit.

[JoeyGee]

Well, I did it.

I did it with the stock blade--just too impatient to get a new blade, I guess. I did do it in two passes. I tried to do it all at once, but it complained like a 16 year-old without a car.

Thanks for all the replies.