I'm about to embark on my first major test for building some organization in my shop: a chest of drawers to store my tools. I need several drawers, and figured it would be cheaper (and a good learning experience) to rip the drawer sides, rather than purchase dimensioned lumber. Plus, I have multiple drawer heights. So, dimensioned lumber won't necessarily cut it anyway.
I found a local vendor selling 8/4 slabs of red oak. I plan to rip strips, which I'll then cut to length, flatten/square with hand planes, and cut dovetails to form the drawer sides/fronts/backs. I figured this would be more economical than buying lumber at the proper dimensions to begin with.
I considered cutting these on a table saw, but the one I have (Ryobi job site saw) is pretty much only good for making rough cuts, as it tends to wander from the fence a bit. So, now I'm thinking of ripping them by hand. It'll be a lot more effort. However, there are some benefits to doing it the old-fashioned way: less flying dust, less noise, less annoying my neighbors, honing my sawing skills, and getting some exercise. Maybe it'll be a giant PITA that I'll never want to repeat, but I'm willing to at least give it a try.
So, now I need to find myself a decent rip saw for this task. It doesn't need to be a fancy, high-end, $1k Japanese damascus-style saw or anything. But I need something that will make this task easier than the 8TPI Disston saws that I have laying around. I'm guessing something in the 4TPI range is ideal here, as it's 8/4 lumber, but I'm open to ideas and suggestions around TPI, as well as eastern vs. western saws. Or anything other suggestions people have, really. I just want something that will work and not kill me in the process.
Any suggestions for a reasonably-priced rip saw? Any advice for someone taking on this task for the first time?