While building an architectural model requiring extremely small pieces, I discovered this safe, accurate way to rip short or small stock on my radial-arm saw.

The key is a substitute rip fence with a built-in hold-down lip made from 1/8-in. thick pine. I made several of the hold-down fences to cover a range of stock thicknesses. With the workpiece in position, clamp the fence in its channel so that the lip applies downward pressure. To keep the workpiece against the fence, I staple a scrap of pine to the table along the outboard side of the workpiece. These staples should be methodically pulled and tossed in the garbage when you change hold-ins, to eliminate the possibility of stray metal on the saw deck.

The method holds the wood securely so that it doesn’t become a workshop missile, and provides extremely accurate pieces of short, thin stock.

Ross Asselstine, Minneapolis, Minn.

Fine Woodworking Magazine, June 1983 No. 40

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