What Is A Rip Fence On The Table Saw?

in table •  7 years ago 

If you have just bought the best rated table saw, you may be trying to get familiar with some of the vital parts. One such part is the rip fence, which plays a critical role in your table saw. This is mainly the guide that will ensure that you are making accurate cuts that are even and gives you the safety that you need to achieve such cuts.

The Rip Fence

There is a part that runs parallel to the blade of the best table saw, which is in the form of a metal bar. This is what is known as the metal bar. You can adjust the fence of the table saw to fit the width of the cut that you intend to make. Without a rip fence, you may not achieve the results that you will desire using your table saw. Using the rip fence is one of the ways that you can rip through your boards in the right manner and this will prevent injuries. Even when you need to rip cuts on long boards, the fence is the vital guide that will give you precise rips and keep your hands safe.

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Importance of a Rip Fence

There are so many things that you can achieve with the best table saw for the money. However, when you have a good rip fence, you will enjoy more accurate cuts in a safe manner. The fence will ensure that all the boards that are being cuts are lined in such a manner that the wood will be ripped along the grain. When you need to make cuts across the grain, it can be quite dangerous and may cause injuries and fatalities. However, a good rip fence will hold down the stock position and prevent such instances. When you are looking for a fence the main thing to consider is how well it will align when it is tightened.

Which is A Good Rip Fence?

You have the option of buying a rip fence separately from the best table saw for home use. When you chose to buy a fence, there are some things that you should look at so as to ensure that you have the best table saw fence. Here are the main considerations:

Ease of use and setting

Micro adjustment system

True and square bar

Mobility

An rip capacity of at least 50 inches

An ease to read positioning scale.

Make Rip Cuts Safely

When you are making rip cuts, even with the rip fence, it can be quite tricky, especially when you are working with long boards. Always ensure that you have a support mechanism at the end of the board so that you avoid the temptation of reaching over a spinning blade. This will be for your safety.

With a clear understanding of what the rip fence is on the best value table saw, you can now make use of it as it is required. With this knowledge, all your cuts will be done professionally.

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@michaelthomass, congratulations on making your first post! I gave you an upvote!
Please take a moment to read this post regarding commenting and spam. (tl;dr - if you spam, you will be flagged!)

I have a rip blade that makes ripping easier because there are fewer teeth and the cut is smoother. Another feature that I like about my saw is that there is this metal blade guide that looks like a shark fin in back of the blade that keeps the work from binding on the blade and kicking back. Some wood will tend to pinch as its being ripped and that can be very problematic. The "shark fin" eliminates that problem.
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