Difference Between Ripped & Cut

Cutting

• A cut is made across the grain and is called crosscutting. Use a miter gauge when cutting on a table saw. The miter gauge slides back and forth in a groove and helps make a straight cut. Don't use the rip fence as a stop when cutting. This will cause the cutoff piece to be flung back at you.

Ripping

• Ripping a board means to cut lengthwise with the grain. You should never rip a board to less then one inch. If using a table saw to rip the board, use the rip fence for safety and for a straight cut. Keep fingers away from the blade by using a push stick. When ripping long pieces of wood, use a roller stand to help support them.

Types of Saw Blades

• Three types of saw blades are flat at top grind, or FTG, alternate top bevel, or ATB, and a combination blade, or ATBR. The top edges of the teeth on the FTG blades are all square to the saw plate. The ATB blades have teeth that lean to one side. They alternate leaning to one side then the other. An ATBR blade has fifty teeth in sets of five. The sets of five consist of four ATB teeth, and one FTG tooth.

Different Blades For Ripping and Cutting

• Rip cut boards using a 40 tooth FTG blade. This rip blade makes a coarse cut but is fast. For a slower but smoother cut, use either a 40 tooth ATB blade or a 50 tooth ATBR blade. When cross cutting a board, use a 40 to 80 tooth ATB blade or a 50 tooth ATBR blade.