This fundamental cutting operation divides a board lengthwise along its fibers rather than severing them. Because wood fibers run longitudinally, ripping requires a blade with large, flat-topped teeth and deep gullets to chisel out the material and clear the long, stringy sawdust. Doing this safely on a table saw requires a fence and a riving knife to prevent the board from pinching the blade and kicking back.
Heard on the job
I need to rip these 1x6 boards down to four inches wide for the face frames.