A rip cut is any cut made parallel to the wood grain. A rip saw works like a chisel, lifting off small splinters of wood. Generally saw which rip cut well do not work well for crosscutting, which shears the wood fibers. Table saws are usually used for rip cutting, and a miter saw is used for crosscutting, although it is possible to do either cut on either saw.Cutting Coves on a Table Saw Coves are one of the most common decorative shapes in woodworking. You’ll find them in various sizes on furniture, picture frames, crown molding and just about anything else made of wood that incorporates decorative shapes. Most woodworkers are familiar with cutting this common shape with a router, but fewer are practiced in the method of cutting coves on a table saw. Below, we'll cover the basics of the procedure, with a focus on the makings of a reliable cove cutting jig. Then, in Part II of the article, we'll offer a few tips on getting set up to cut the exact shape you want.

Fence Systems for Accurate Table Saw Ripping

Ripping wood is a primary function of the table saw, and because its importance, many manufacturers pay particular attention to the quality the rip fence on the saws they offer. Still, many factory fence systems lack the reliability and precision that would qualify them for exacting work. In this article, we’ll look at the basic requirements for good table saw ripping, and how an after-market fence system, like the Accusquare Fence System or the Vega Fence System, can improve the ripping performance of a saw that’s suffering from “fence problems”.

Precision Miter Gauges and Crosscutting Sleds: Getting the Most Out of Your Table Saw

Are you getting the most out of your table saw? If you're like many woodworkers, you use your table saw almost exclusively for ripping wood, and haven’t really explored its potential as a crosscutting tool. That's understandable - even the best saws don’t often arrive from the manufacturer equipped for precision crosscutting. To perform well in that area, most require a crosscutting equipment upgrade to a precision miter gauge or miter sled. In this article, we'll look at what it takes to get good crosscuts on a table saw, and the precision crosscutting tools that can make the process easy, accurate and reliable.

How to Use a Table Saw: Cross Cutting

Want perfect end cuts every time? We'll show you how to get them on your table saw. Follow these tips, tricks and techniques to make straight cuts and angle cuts in almost any sized lumber. Get your table saw ready now so you can make perfect cuts on your next project. An accurate miter gauge and fence and basic wood jigs are the key to perfect table saw cuts.

Cutting Centered Grooves on the Table Saw

Cutting small grooves that hold flat panels doors or bottoms in smaller projects is a common task that can be done on a table saw equipped with a standard blade. Often, these grooves are centered on the thickness of the stock, a task that is very easily done on the table saw. When done correctly, cutting these grooves is also very safe.

Troubleshooting Table-Saw Tear-out

Blade sharpness is a bigger factor than you might think. I am using a Powermatic 66 to cut plywood and am getting more tear out than I would using a zero clearance insert and a Forrest Duraline HI-A/T blade. I am considering getting a Modulus scoring attachment. Can anyone advise how good or bad this attachment is? I do know that a slider would be a better choice, but I do not have the room or the budget for a slider at this time.

Using a Table Saw to Cut Angles

A table saw is a useful tool to have in your workshop. It can perform a variety of cuts and be adjusted to complete just about any type of wood working project. Its versatility extends to making angles by making some adjustments to the blade and table to ensure that the proper angle cut is achieved.