Woodworking
Rip Cut
A cut made along the length of a board, parallel to the wood grain, used to reduce the width of lumber, typically made on a table saw.
In-Depth Explanation
Rip cutting is one of the two fundamental sawing operations in woodworking, the other being the crosscut which goes across the grain. A rip cut follows the grain direction, which generally requires less force per tooth but can be prone to kickback if the board pinches the blade. Table saws are the most common tool for rip cuts, using a rip fence to guide the board at a consistent width. Rip-specific saw blades have fewer teeth with a flat-top grind designed to efficiently remove material along the grain. Accurate rip cuts are essential for dimensioning rough lumber and preparing stock for edge-gluing panels.
Usage Example
I set the table saw fence to 3-1/2 inches and made a rip cut to narrow the board for the shelf.
Related Terms
board
surfaced-lumber
rough-sawn