Crosscutting and ripping long stock on the table saw can be cumbersome. But there are steps you can take to do the job without a lot of hassle. One key to controlling the workpiece is providing good support during the cut. You can see the setup I use here. I start by attaching a long auxiliary fence to the miter gauge. This helps keep the workpiece from skewing as you move it across the table. Another key is providing some “outboard” support at the side of the saw for the opposite end of the workpiece. The goal is to keep the workpiece flat on the table throughout the cut. To keep the workpiece under control, it helps to clamp it to the auxiliary miter gauge fence.
Ripping long stock has its own challenges. But by following a few simple guidelines, it can be an easy and safe task. Before getting started, take the time to set up your rip fence and install a good-quality rip blade. I find the popular glue-line rip blades yield a smooth cut. You’ll definitely want to use a splitter or riving knife. A splitter prevents kick-back by keeping the workpiece from “pinching” the blade. When ripping a long workpiece, it needs to be supported as it exits the saw’s table. You’ll want to make sure the workpiece contacts your outfeed support without catching.
The support you see here is simple to make and is perfect for supporting long workpieces at the table saw. The beveled edges catch the workpiece to smoothly guide it during the cut.
The drawing shows you how the support goes together. As you clamp the support to a sawhorse, make sure the top of the support is even with the surface of your table saw before cutting the workpiece.
