RIP CUT vs. CROSSCUT...What's The Difference? (Ripping + Crosscutting with Miter/Table/Circular Saw)

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RIP CUT vs. CROSSCUT...What's The Difference? (Ripping + Crosscutting with Miter/Table/Circular Saw)

Over the years, I've heard DIYers confuse the words RIP and CROSSCUT a number of times. In this video, I'll explain the difference between ripping and crosscutting, and how they are affected by a variety of saws!

RIP CUT: A cut that travels in the direction of the wood grain.

CROSSCUT: A cut that travels across the grain.

Ripping tends to be easier and go faster because wood fibers grow in a longitudinal fashion. They separate more easily along the linear fault lines. This is why chopping wood vertically is easier.

Crosscutting is a bit slower and creates more friction because it is fighting against the grain. The saw blade has to sever every fiber on its way across the cut before the board loses its rigidity and separates.

The table saw the best tool for ripping, because it's strong and it has a rip fence that keeps the stock steady as you feed it through the blade.

The miter saw is the best tool for crosscutting, because it has a fence perpendicular to the blade; the backspinning action of the saw pulls the stock against the fence.

The circular saw is a good compromise between the two, because it is strong and can cut in either direction freely. But, it is more dangerous because it's freehand, and often requires you to clamp down a guide for very straight cuts.

Sometimes, rips and crosscuts require different kinds of blades.

Ripping blades tend to have 24-40 teeth, and deeper gullets between those teeth.

Crosscut blades have 60-80 teeth, with shallower gullets.

Combination blades have 50 teeth on average, and perform both functions pretty well.

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