I've got some carpentry experience but I'm new to fine woodworking and I'm working on a restoration project. I need to cut a strip of wood that's 1/8" thick, 1.5" wide, and 48" long into two strips that are each 0.75" wide. What's the best tool for this job? Should I use a table saw, jigsaw, scroll saw, band saw, or just do it by hand with a straight edge and a razor knife?
3 Answers
Another option is to use a thin strip jig on the table saw. It's designed for cutting thin strips from wider boards. But keep in mind, it's more about making repeatable cuts, not for slicing a strip in half.
I would opt for a table saw but make sure to use multiple feather boards to keep the wood steady and tight against the fence. Just remember you won't get exactly 0.75" strips; with a standard full-kerf blade, they'll likely be around 0.6875".
For this job, I’d suggest using a band saw. It's precise and safer for cutting down the middle of that strip compared to a table saw, which can be tricky and you might end up losing more wood due to the kerf width.