Ripping

Ripping means to cut with the grain of the wood. In other materials such as MDF or plywood, rip- ping simply means to cut lengthwise. To rip a board:

1.Inspect the board for soundness. You will need a straight edge to rip with accuracy. Your work piece may need to be jointed flat before attempting to cut on the table saw.

2.Set rip fence to the desired distance from the blade. IF YOU ARE MAKING NARROW CUTS, USE A PUSH-STICK.It is unsafe to put your hands close to the blade. A push- stick pattern has been included in this man- ual on Page 37. Use them to hold the work- piece against the table and fence and push the workpiece fully. past the blade. When a small width is to be ripped and a push-stick cannot be safely put between the blade and rip fence, rip a larger piece to obtain the desired piece.

3.Turn on the saw and allow it to reach full speed.

4.Place the trued edge of the board against the rip fence.

5.Feed the workpiece slowly and evenly into the blade. Figure 35. STAND OUT OF THE

LINE OF POTENTIAL KICKBACK. HOLD THE WORKPIECE FIRMLY AGAINST THE FENCE AND TABLE. DO NOT ALLOW YOUR FINGERS TO GET CLOSE TO THE BLADE! DO NOT REACH OVER THE BLADE TO OFF-LOAD THE WORKPIECE.

Figure 35.

-24-	G1023 Heavy-Duty Table Saw