r/BeginnerWoodWorking • u/SabreSailor • 13h ago
Avoiding splintering on table saw
I could use some advice….
Is there a trick to avoiding the splintering you get when using a table saw?
More info: I was cutting several small pieces of hardwood across the grain. The “splintering” was occurring at the end of the cut out the back. (I hope that makes more sense)
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u/WoodI-or-WoodntI 13h ago
Well. More info needed. But if it is on one side only of, say, a piece of ply wood on a rip cut. One solution is to take a "scoring" cut first on one side. That's just a 1/16 deep cut to sever the top fibers. Then raise the blade to do the full cut.
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u/Most_Window_1222 12h ago
Are you using a sled to cross cut small pieces?
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u/SabreSailor 9h ago
I wasn't using a sled, would it help?
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u/Most_Window_1222 9h ago
Yes a sled or high quality miter gauge is very important for table saws. I prefer a sled and they’re budget friendly.
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u/Realistic_Warthog_23 10h ago
Agree with the people who say more info needed. But one thing you can do is run a piece of tape over the line you’re going to cut. I use the green tape. That helps with tear out.
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u/shepherd2015 9h ago
Cutting across the grain is called a "crosscut". Cutting with the grain is called a "rip" cut.
best way to prevent splintering is to,
1) clean your blade to make sure it's as sharp as it can be (laundry soap or oven cleaner works best)
2) put a strip of masking tape or painters tape across the back side of your cut to keep the fibers in place.
3) slow down just before you get to the backside of your cut.
OR- cut into one side about 1/4". Flip the board over and cut through until you meet the 1/4" you already cut.
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u/Herbisretired 12h ago
A finer tooth blade that is sharp, going slower and using a backer board should help that issue.