I'm working with some 8/4 walnut boards that are 10 inches wide, and I need to cut them down to make legs for a nightstand. I'm planning to make 2-inch cuts but I'm unsure about the correct technique. I believe that I should be cutting on the outside of the blade while the main piece is positioned between the blade and the fence, which would leave the 2-inch cuts as the off-cuts. However, I've noticed that many builders on YouTube seem to cut with the intended cut between the blade and the fence. Can anyone clarify the best practice for making 2-inch cuts?
4 Answers
Keep in mind that ripping 2-inch pieces from a 10-inch wide board can cause it to warp. I suggest ripping the board in half first, then in half again for better control. If you set the blade slightly above half the thickness, that can help reduce binding. Remember: safety is key! Good luck!
From what I’ve learned, 2 inches isn’t considered a narrow cut, so it’s totally fine to make your cuts with your intended piece between the blade and the fence. The outside cutting method is usually for really narrow pieces that are less than 3/4 inch.
I actually prefer to set my fence at 2 inches and rip directly from the board. This way, every piece comes out the same size, which minimizes any chance of inaccuracies if the fence gets moved. Plus, I always make sure to joint the edge that will go against the fence and also joint the waste piece to maintain control. Don't forget to use a push stick for safety!
The key is to maintain control of the wood between the blade and the fence throughout the cut. Make sure there's enough space for your push stick, and watch out for too wide off-cuts since that could make it hard to control the stock properly on the fence. If the board is very wide, I sometimes rip the off-cut slightly over 2 inches first, then run the slightly oversized pieces through at 2 inches for more consistency and control.
Exactly! It just makes it easier to control everything while you're working.
That makes sense! I like that method for keeping things consistent while avoiding big off-cuts.
Thanks for the advice!