Step Six: Rip to Finished Width

This can be done with a handsaw and finished with a bench plane and shooting board but I prefer to use the tablesaw. I set the fence to just a bit wider than the finished width I really want, then rip the piece, holding the jointed, square edge along the fence. When finished I have a piece that, in cross-section, is almost exactly the dimensions that I want it to be. I simply take a pass at the jointer to smooth any saw marks out of the side I just ran through the table saw until I reach the exact width I want.

Back at the tablesaw, I set the fence on my saw to 1/32 of an inch wider than my finished width. Then I run all of my boards through, keeping the face side flat on the saw table and the face edge against the fence.

A word about tablesaw safety. The blade guard IS NOT removed for photographic clarity. From experience I can say that I believe that EVERYONE should use saw guards. You will see I have my Delta removeable splitter installed but no guard. I am presently working on a design for a guard that won't cost me a small fortune. If I come up with something interesting I'll post it but until then I will just have to be careful. This is my decision, for me. You must do what you think is right for you.