I’m having trouble ripping 8/4 maple for the workbench I’m making. As I’m ripping some of the boards (10 footers), the kerf wants to close…so tightly that it pinches the splitter to the point that it prevents me from pushing the board through the blade! Is this just the “internal tension” of the board?
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Replies
yes- that is the tension in the board. As the fibers are cut, the tensions are released and the board either closes up on the splitter or bows out the opposite way. Either way- the board is not as straight as it was (I usually re-joint each "drop" before re-ripping it)
The usual method of dealing with the wood closing up on the splitter (good thing you had the splitter there- eh?)is to drive a wedge into the kerf- behind the splitter- to help keep the kerf open- a second person is helpful for this.
Hope that helps
Bob Van Dyke
Thanks, Bob.
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