I've done some resawing before, but I've only tackled shorter pieces (less than 2 feet). Now, I've got this piece of ash that's about 3 feet long and I want to use the same resawing method. This board is 6 inches wide, and I'm planning to take my time with half-inch cuts since it's quite wide. Any tips for safely resawing a longer board? I'm aware that kickback is a major concern, but are there any other precautions I should consider?
3 Answers
Just stick to good table saw safety practices and you'll be fine! And don't forget to ensure that your riving knife is properly engaged for safety.
For the best safety and cut quality while resawing on your table saw, it's a game changer to use an auxiliary fence that’s tall enough to match your workpiece. You should also double-check that your blade is perfectly 90 degrees to avoid extra cleanup. Set up a stacked featherboard to help guide you straight through the cut, and keep the same side facing the fence on each pass. Also, using a push block with steady, even pressure is key—especially when the board starts to ride just along the fence. Finish that cut smoothly and watch your angles!
Absolutely! Using a featherboard is a great idea to keep the board snug against the fence. Plus, stay focused throughout the operation—it can get tedious after a few cuts. Having a roller stand will also help as the board gets longer and more unbalanced, which can prevent tipping.
Yeah, I’m actually planning to build a little roller stand for this. I have a long table for the outfeed support.
Awesome! Thanks for the tips! I plan to build a better fence today. Any recommendations on blades? I've heard that good rip blades with deep gullets work wonders for resawing.