How to cut really small strips for toys?

[dennis thompson]

I have been making some wooden toy trucks which can require some very small strips. Currently I need to cut some 1/8 wide x 1/16 thick strips and my table saw doesn't work so well , so far , for these.
Any suggestions how how to do this ( safely) ?
thanks

[Rod Sheridan]

Hi Dennis, I would use a sharp knife and a straight edge...............Rod.

[Frederick Skelly]

I've had success with this. YMMV:
1. Get a board several inches wide x 3/4" thick x 18" long.
2. Set the fence so you have 1/16" of material on the waste side of the cut. This produces a strip that is 1/16" x 3/4" x 18". Reset the fence to produce another 1/16" piece of "waste" and cut again. Repeat until I have enough.
3. Use a sharp knife to cut the material you just produced in step #2 into 1/8" strips. I get 5-6 pieces out of each piece.

You can make step 2 faster if you clamp a short board, etc to the waste side of the cut, as a "stop". Just be very careful to keep the end of that stop a few inches below/before the blade or you risk pinching the wood and getting a kickback.

Hope this makes sense. Happy Thanksgiving!
Fred

[Mark W Pugh]

I have been making some wooden toy trucks which can require some very small strips. Currently I need to cut some 1/8 wide x 1/16 thick strips and my table saw doesn't work so well , so far , for these.
Any suggestions how how to do this ( safely) ?
thanks

I've used these to make some really thin stuff.

http://www.microjig.com/product-category/grr-ripper/

http://www.microjig.com/videos/grr-ripper-videos/

[glenn bradley]

This is a perfect job for the tablesaw. As you have noticed, a good setup and proper blade are important. If these can be rough you could use the bandsaw instead. You could also use the bandsaw, cut over-size and sand to desired final thickness. Maybe a rig like so on the DP (http://www.stewmac.com/product/images/22391/Luthiers_Friend_Sanding_Station.jpg)? Of course now the DP must be setup well so this may lead you back to the tablesaw issue. I'd just get my tablesaw dialed in and enjoy the benefit on all my work going forward.

[Roy Turbett]

Rockler sells a "Thin Rip Tablesaw Jig".

"This jig allows you to rip thin strips on the left side of the blade, eliminating the danger of pushing narrow strips between the saw and fence. Since the strip is not trapped between the blade and fence, there is also less risk of binding and kickback. It's simple to use; a single knob locks the jig into the miter track and locks your setting at the same time. Ball bearing guide keeps your workpiece firmly against the fence for perfect repeatability. Use the graduated scale to fine-tune for extremely thin strips.

Note: Ripping thin strips requires the use of a zero-clearance insert, sold separately.
The perfect tool for edging, inlay, bent laminations and more.
Solid phenolic for durability.
Low-profile miter track clamp locks in at any point along the miter track.
Also works great on the bandsaw as a single-point fence for cutting curved slats in multiples.
Adjusts from 1-3/8" away from your miter track to 5-11/16" away from your miter track, enough for the thinnest rips
Measures 5-1/4"W x 8"L.
The jig is stationary, while the fence is moved for each cut.
Fits 3/4" W x 3/8" D Miter Tracks"

[Doug Garson]

Rather than buy a thin strip ripping jig why not make one like this http://www.finewoodworking.com/how-to/video/a-simple-safe-tablesaw-fixture-for-ripping-thin-pieces.aspx

[Frederick Skelly]

Rather than buy a thin strip ripping jig why not make one like this http://www.finewoodworking.com/how-to/video/a-simple-safe-tablesaw-fixture-for-ripping-thin-pieces.aspx

Good idea!

[lawrence dosson]

Dennis
another vote for a thin rip jig I have the rockler works great as advised use it with a zero clearance insert
yes a shop built will do the same thing
I build lots of toys this is what I do
first rip the wood to the thin dimension 1/16 try to use wood with little or no grain pattern then I use a utility knife to get the 1/8 like Rod said
after building so much small stuff I finally bought a mini table saw 3 inch blade much better for little stuff

[Lee Schierer]

Rather than buy a thin strip ripping jig why not make one like this http://www.finewoodworking.com/how-to/video/a-simple-safe-tablesaw-fixture-for-ripping-thin-pieces.aspx


Nice jig, but I was a bit surprised that he wasn't using a zero clearance insert to cut those thin pieces. He also was getting his left hand a bit close to the blade while it was running and he picked up the piece behind the blade with the saw still running.

[Doug Garson]

I didn't notice the lack of a zero clearance insert but I was also surprised how close his left hand was. I either use a featherboard or keep a push stick in my hand to keep it away from the blade. The jig does work well and unlike some of the other jigs you don't have to move the fence after every cut.

[Mike Delyster]

Have a look at this jig, I made one of these and it works very well.
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?73856-Cutting-2mm-(5-64-quot-)-strips&highlight=

[Gene Takae]

after building so much small stuff I finally bought a mini table saw 3 inch blade much better for little stuff

I don't mean to hijack this thread but which mini table saw did you purchase? I'm considering getting one myself.

Gene

[Max Neu]

Do the pcs. need to be clean (no saw marks)?If so,I would just oversize them with a table saw or bandsaw,then use a veneer/inlay scraper for final dimensioning, I use the Veritas inlay scraper,and it works really well.You can also rig up a simple setup for your block plane.

[lawrence dosson]

I don't mean to hijack this thread but which mini table saw did you purchase? I'm considering getting one myself.

Gene

Gene
I bought the micro lux mini tilt arbor saw pricey yes also very well made with dust collection ability from micro mark also have used a proxxon very similar
Lawrence

[Ken Kortge]

Dennis,

I'm guessing you don't wish to invest in going in such a different direction, but as an FYI, the Eurekazone.com track system sells an EZSMART Clamp System that allows the user to clamp very small lengths of wood right to the edge of a length of track in order to cut very small strips off. Essentially a mini ripping system. To see what I'm talking about its probably best to see the pictures on their site:

http://www.eurekazone.com/product_p/ezclampsys.htm

Of course, to use the clamps you'd need a length of track and the track saw (any circular saw attached to the EZSMART base). Tracks come in several lengths. I like the 64" length for cross-cutting plywood, but a 36" length of track may be better suited to cutting wood for toys.

http://www.eurekazone.com/product_p/ezts64.htm

Since the circular saw cuts from bottom to top, and the track's anti-chip edge and the base's anti-chip insert cover the top edges on both sides, the system provides a VERY clean cut edge on both sides of the kerf. See the pictures in the link above to see how this really works both on and off the track.

Actually, their EZ-ONE Woodworking Center, with its 72 inch drop-down track, not only allows the same safe cuts on tiny pieces of wood, but its stops allows fast and exact repeated cuts.

http://www.eurekazone.com/product_p/ezt1000.htm

[Bill Ryall]

Do you have a bandsaw? if not, another vote for utility knife and straightedge.

[Myk Rian]

Interesting. You say the table saw doesn't work that well, but most of the suggestions lead you to that.

You cold use a straight edge and a fabric cutting wheel. I have. Works great.

[Robert Engel]

Nice jig, but I was a bit surprised that he wasn't using a zero clearance insert to cut those thin pieces. He also was getting his left hand a bit close to the blade while it was running and he picked up the piece behind the blade with the saw still running.No worries, he's got a SawStop>>Didn't you know, the smart guys buy SS's !! ;)