best way to rip...

[Howard]

I am going for round two of my cutting board project. Here's my question. I will need to rip about 12 1" pieces out of my main board so I can glue them up. Should I set the fence at 1" from the blade and run the main board up against the fence after each cut and know the cut piece is exactly the same width each time or should have the main part of the board inbetween the fence and blade so the piece I want is on the outside. If I do that, I'll have to move the fence each time exactly one inch closer after each cut. That will create the opportunity of ripping boards that aren't exactly the same width. Not a real problem, my belt sander will take care of that, but I'm not convinced the other method is best or safest since there will only be a 1" piece between the blade and the fence. Comments? BTW, the guy at Woodcraft told me I should be glueing the sides of the boards together and not the edges. Edges should be up for cutting boards. Didn't know that...learn new things everyday!

[Warren]

I'd do it with the fence 1" from the blade using a push stick and feather board when the fingers started getting uncomforatly close to the blade as the main board narrows.

[Rayclav]

Go to this address
http://benchnotes.com/Strip%20Cuttin...ting_gauge.htm
and you will find the Strip Cutting Gauge that will solve your problems of cutting equal strips and using the full width of the board between the fence and the saw.

It's simple to make and gets results every time and you may find the other tips useful too.

R

[Howard]

good idea! I have a Bench dog featherboard that would work perfectly for this method. Not only as a measurement gauge but to help with the workpiece. Kinda like the Ronco rotisserie oven... just set it and forget it!