Thin strips of hardwood come in handy for all kinds of woodworking projects. One common example is covering the exposed plywood edge of a shelf with a narrow strip of solid wood.
The challenge is cutting those thin strips accurately and consistently at the table saw.
If you simply set the rip fence for a narrow cut, the thin strip ends up between the blade and fence. Cutting the strip from the opposite side of the blade avoids that arrangement, but resetting the fence after every cut makes it harder to produce strips of exactly the same thickness.
There's a simple solution that uses just a combination square, a small hardwood block, and a drill bit to establish the strip thickness before each cut.
Make a Miter Slot Setup Block
Start with a small hardwood block that fits snugly in the table saw's miter slot.
Size the block so it projects about 1⁄4" above the saw table. The block provides a consistent reference surface for the combination square while you're setting the rip fence.
It doesn't become part of the cutting operation. It's simply a setup aid.
Use a Drill Bit to Set the Strip Thickness
Here's the clever part of the technique.
Choose a drill bit with a diameter that matches the thickness of the hardwood strip you want to cut.
Place the combination square against the hardwood block and use the drill bit as a spacer between the end of the square's rule and a tooth on the saw blade.
Adjust the combination square until everything just touches.
The drill bit establishes the thickness of the strip, while the combination square records that measurement relative to the blade.
WOODSMITH TIP: Use Drill Bits as Setup Gauges. Drill bits make convenient setup gauges because their diameters provide consistent reference dimensions. Select the bit that matches the strip thickness you need, then use it to establish the combination-square setting.
Set the Rip Fence
Once the combination square is adjusted, remove the drill bit.
Now slide the rip fence over until the edge of the workpiece just touches the end of the combination-square rule.
Lock the fence in place, then remove the combination square and setup block from the saw table before making the cut.
Make the rip cut normally. The thin strip is cut from the side of the blade opposite the fence.
For another strip, use the same combination-square setting to reposition the fence for the next cut.
Consistent Thin Strips Without the Guesswork
What I like about this technique is that there's no complicated jig to build.
The drill bit determines the strip thickness. The combination square transfers that setting. And the small miter-slot block gives you a consistent reference point.
It's a quick setup that makes it easier to produce matching thin strips for plywood edging and other small woodworking parts — using tools you probably already have in the shop.
More Table Saw Tips & Techniques
Simple setups can make a big difference at the table saw. Explore more table saw tips, jigs, and techniques for making accurate rip cuts, crosscuts, joinery, and small parts while getting more from one of the most-used tools in the shop.
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