Need To Cut Thin Strips? Try These Three Methods!

Resawing thin stock and cutting thin strips is typically the domain of the bandsaw. And while I consider the bandsaw to be an essential shop tool, not everyone has one. Furthermore, because the bandsaw leaves a somewhat rough surface behind, you’ll need a way to smooth that thin stock before you can use it. So it’s probably worth considering an alternative option that kills two birds with one stone: utilizing a more common tool that results in a smoother cut. So let’s look at a few ways you can use your table saw to cut thin strips.

First, the Problem!

Why can’t we just set our table saw fence for 3/16″ and run the piece through? The primary reason is safety. With so little space between the fence and the blade, it becomes difficult to effectively push the stock past the blade and kickback can easily occur. So the key is to find a way to either push the stock through safely, or simply push the reference stop to the LEFT side of the blade instead of the right.

Fancy Push Blocks

If you have a MicroJig GRR-Ripper, thin stock is no problem. This push block holds the off-cut securely and pushes it safely past the blade. It can rip strips down to 1/4″, and an add-on lets you go as thin as 1/8″. You can also build a similar jig yourself if you’d rather make your own solution.

Thin Strip Jig

This simple jig uses a scrap of MDF or plywood with a small hook glued to one end. The hook pushes the stock safely through the cut. Set the jig against the fence, then adjust the fence so the gap between the blade and jig matches your desired strip thickness. Seat the stock fully in the hook and push it carefully through the saw. It’s simple and effective, though best suited for smaller pieces. Larger or longer boards can be harder to control safely.

The Left-of-the-Blade Stop

Placing the off-cut strip to the left of the blade is safer, but it means resetting the fence each time to get strips of equal thickness. Adding a stop makes the process quick and repeatable. You can clamp a scrap piece to the table, but I prefer using a MagSwitch magnet. With the stop in place, simply position your workpiece against it and nudge the fence into place on the right. Just be careful not to bump the magnet out of position. I like this method because it’s easy to set up and works for any size workpiece or strip.

Other Options

While not discussed in the video, there are shop-made and commercial jigs available that fit into the left miter slot of the table saw. They can be adjusted for various thicknesses and they work quite well. So if you plan to do a lot of this, it’s not a bad idea to build or buy a jig.

Interested in an alternative way to surface and smooth thin stock? Check out this video!