How Is Wood Cut When Ripping with a Table Saw? Avoid Mistakes

If you’re ripping a board with a table saw, then take your time, line it up with the grain, and feed it through the blade slowly and steadily. The blade is placed in the center of a flat table, and a fence acts as a guide to ensure a straight cut.

When cutting wood, the right type of blade must be used, and it must be adjusted properly. Using safety tools like a push stick and a riving knife makes the work much easier and safer. In this way, you can make clean, straight cuts while cutting down the chance of the wood slipping suddenly and causing injury.

In this guide, you will learn how ripping works, how to set up your table saw properly, and how to do it safely, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced user.

What Does “Ripping” Mean in Woodworking?

In woodworking terms, “ripping” refers to cutting a board lengthwise along the grain. This is the opposite of “crosscutting”, where the grain is cut against the direction. Ripping is typically used to create custom-width boards for projects like furniture, trim, or joinery.

How a Table Saw Cuts Wood When Ripping

The table saw is a stationary power tool that has a circular blade. The blade extends out from the surface of a flat table. When you rip wood, hold the straight guide named fence according to the width of the wood. Then, place the piece of wood flat on the table and push it through the spinning blade. The blade cuts the wood lengthwise along the grain. The fence keeps the cut straight, and the table supports the wood while working. 

Table Saw Setup

Proper setup is critical for accurate and safe ripping. A properly calibrated table saw helps to cut accurately and reduces the risk of accidents. Therefore, follow the steps below to set up the table saw correctly:

Choose the right blade: 

• When ripping solid wood, choose a rip blade with 24 to 30 teeth to achieve quicker cuts and minimize burning. Use a blade with 60 to 80 teeth (TPI) for plywood or engineered wood to reduce cracking or tearing. Combination blades (40 to 60 teeth) are versatile for various tasks, but their performance may be somewhat lower for specific jobs.

Align the fence:

• To avoid binding or kickback, it’s important to keep the fence parallel to the saw blade. Check this by measuring the distance from the fence to the blade at both the front and back, using a blade tooth that points toward the fence for the most accurate reading. Adjust the fence until both measurements are equal, then firmly lock the fence in place.

Set the blade height:

• Set the blade height so it extends roughly 1/8 inch above the surface of the wood. This limits the amount of exposed blade, which helps reduce the risk of kickback and promotes a cleaner cut. If you’re working with thicker material, consider making several passes to achieve the desired depth (Advanced Techniques).

Don’t have access to a table saw? Learn how to use a circular saw without a table as an effective alternative.

Check miter slots and accessories:

•  Make sure the miter slots are free of dust and debris, and check that any jigs or gauges slide smoothly within them. A misaligned or dirty miter slot can compromise the accuracy of precise cuts.

Install safety features: 

• Ensure the blade guard, riving knife, and anti-kickback pawls are in place and functioning. These components are important for working safely.

How to Rip Wood with a Table Saw: Step-by-Step Process

Step 1: Prepare Workspace

• Clear the area around your table saw.
• Make sure you have enough room to feed the board in and out.
• Gather safety gear: safety glasses, hearing protection, and a dust mask.

Step 2: Set the Blade Height

• Raise or lower the blade so it’s about 1/8 to 1/4 inch above the top of the wood.
• This height gives a clean cut and reduces the risk of kickback.

Step 3: Select and Set the Fence

• Measure and lock the fence at the width you want to rip.
• Double-check the measurement from the fence to the blade’s teeth.

Step 4: Check the Blade and Fence Alignment

• Use a square or measuring tape to ensure the blade and fence are parallel.
• Misalignment can cause binding, burning, or kickback.

Step 5: Position the Wood

• Place the board flat on the table, tight against the fence.
• Make sure the end is square to the fence for a straight start.

Step 6: Start the Saw

• Stand to the side of the blade, not directly behind it.
• Turn on the saw and let the blade reach full speed.

Step 7: Feed the Wood

• Use both hands to guide the wood, keeping it flat and tight to the fence.
• Use a push stick or push block when your hands get close to the blade (within 6 inches).
• Let the knife work, maneuver the wood steadily at a slow pace, without forcing.

Step 8: Complete the Cut

• Keep pushing the wood past the blade until the entire piece is clear.
• Turn off the saw and wait for the blade to stop before retrieving off-cuts

Step 9: Inspect the Cut

• Check for smoothness and straightness.
• If the cut is rough or burned, see the troubleshooting section below

Selecting the Right Blade for Ripping

Using the wrong blade can cause the wood to burn, the cut to be rough, or extra pressure to be applied on the motor.

Blade Type	Best For	Tooth Count
Ripping Blade	Solid wood (fast cuts)	24 to 30
Crosscut Blade	Cutting across grain	60 to 80
Combination Blade	General use	40 to 50

• Use carbide-tipped blades for durability and cleaner cuts.
• For plywood, use a high-tooth-count blade to reduce splintering.

Safety Tips when Ripping Wood

Safety is important when ripping wood with a table saw. If the spinning blade is not used properly, it can cause serious injuries, and kickback, when the wood suddenly shoots backward, is a major hazard. Below are some important safety measures:

• Wear protective gear: Always wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from dust and debris, use hearing protection to reduce the impact of noise on your ears, and wear a dust mask or respirator to prevent dust from entering your lungs, since it can cause respiratory problems.

• Use push sticks and featherboards: Push sticks keep your hands away from the blade, especially when ripping narrow pieces. Using a featherboard helps maintain steady pressure against the fence, which improves control and decreases kickback risk.

• Stand to the side: To avoid injury from kickback, do not stand directly behind the blade; position yourself to the left or right side of the blade.

• Prevent kickback: Kickback occurs when the wood pinches the blade or lifts off the table, causing it to be thrown back. Use a riving knife or splitter (standard on most modern table saws) to keep the cut open and protect against pressure. Ensure the wood stays flat against the table and fence.

• Keep the workspace clear: Remove unnecessary items, equipment, and cut-off scraps from the table saw’s surface and surrounding area to avoid distractions.

• Unplug during adjustments: Always unplug the saw when changing blades, adjusting the fence, or performing maintenance to prevent accidental starts.

Ripping Solid Wood vs. Plywood

Feature	Solid Wood	Plywood
Blade Type	Ripping blade (24 to 30 teeth)	No grain, but has a face veneer
Grain Direction	Must follow grain	No grain but has face veneer
Tear-Out Risk	Low (with sharp blade)	No grain, but has a face veneer
Support Needed	Outfeed table	No grain but has a face veneer

How to avoid a common issue

• Board deflection: If the board bows away from the fence, it can cause inaccurate cuts or kickback. Ensure the fence is parallel to the blade and the board is flat. Use a featherboard to maintain pressure against the fence. If the board is warped, joint one edge first.

• Burn marks: This problem occurs when the blade is not spinning well or is spinning slowly, or when you are pushing the wood slowly toward the blade. Therefore, sharpen or replace the blade, and maintain a steady, medium speed. Also, check for resin buildup on the blade, as it can increase friction.

• Inaccurate cuts: If cuts aren’t straight, verify fence alignment and ensure consistent pressure against the fence. A dull blade or improper blade height can also cause drift.

• Kickback: This often happens when the wood pinches the blade or lifts off the table. Therefore, use a riving knife and ensure the fence is parallel to the blade and the wood is lying flat. If kickback begins, immediately turn off the saw and remove the board.

Maintenance and Blade Care

• Clean regularly: After each use, clean the table, blade, and saw of sawdust and dirt. If sawdust accumulates, it can affect cutting accuracy and cause pressure or jamming issues with the blade.
• Check alignment: Regularly check that the fence, blade, and miter slots are properly aligned. Misalignment can compromise cutting accuracy or cause kickback.
• Sharpen or replace blades: Dull blades cause rough cuts, burning, and increased kickback risk. That’s why regularly sharpen the blade or replace it when it becomes worn..
• Lubricate moving parts: For smooth work, apply lubricant to the arbor, trunnions, and other moving parts. Check your saw’s instruction manual to verify the appropriate lubricant to use.
• Inspect safety features: Ensure the blade guard, riving knife, and anti-kickback pawls are in good condition and properly installed

Misconceptions About Ripping

 Myth: Any blade can rip wood

-Ripping blades are specifically designed for cutting along the grain.

Small off-cuts are safe.

– Small remnants near the blade can be dangerous, so always wait until the blade completely stops.

 Myth: Ripping warped wood is fine.

– To avoid kickback or getting stuck, only rip using a straight and flat board.

FAQs:

Final Thoughts

Ripping wood with a table saw may seem intimidating at first, but once you understand the process, it becomes a fundamental woodworking task. By learning how the saw cuts, choosing the right blade, aligning your fence, and practicing good safety, you’ll be able to rip wood smoothly, safely, and accurately.

Whether you are preparing wood for a project or simply resizing a board, mastering ripping skills will make your work more efficient and the results more professional. 

If you are new to working with the table saw or want to improve your skills, always prioritize safety first. Work slowly, double-check your setup, and do not hesitate to seek help or advice from experienced carpenters.