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MASTERING THE

i mn strips

Cutting thin strips is a challenge. These tips and techniques will guarantee safe, accurate results.

< Saw Blade Options. A specialized ripping blade (far left blade) makes for smoother strips and faster cutting. Using a thin-kerf combination blade will result in more strips per workpiece.

10 ShopNotes No. 94

It seems like many of the projects I build call for thin strips of wood. Sometimes it's several thin strips to glue up into a bent lamination or just a few to act as dividers in a small drawer. And even if all I need are a couple strips to cover up some plywood edges, cutting them on the table saw can be a challenge.

No matter what your need, the goal is to get the best results with

accuracy and safety in mind. The nice thing is, all this takes is the right setup, some handy jigs, and a few simple tips and techniques.

START WITH THE BLADE

One thing about ripping thin strips that's often overlooked is the saw blade. In most cases, a standard combination blade will give you great results. And if this is the saw

blade you use for most of your work, I'd stick with it. But there are a couple of other blades you may want to consider.

Specialty Saw Blades. The saw blades in the photos at the lower left address a couple of thin strip issues. The blade at the far left is specifically designed for making rip cuts that result in surfaces smooth enough to glue up. Well, one of the main goals of ripping thin strips is to end up with a workpiece that's smooth and free of blade marks and burning. And Freud's Glue Line Rip blade gives you just that. This can be a real advantage when it comes to gluing up strips into a bent lamination. If you have

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