Reader devises a different way to slice a thin-strip ripping jig
I read with great interest your article on "3 must-have tablesaw jigs" (issue 151, page 80), and especially liked the thin-strip ripping jig. The article noted that cutting thin strips against the fence can be dangerous because it becomes difficult to use a pushstick or blade guard.
Your jig works great, and is ideal for cutting long strips. I designed a jig, shown above, that lets me rip short strips (less than 2' long), without having to readjust the fence between cuts or get my hands close to the blade.
To make it, I cut a piece of 3⁄4 " scrap to 6 x 24". Then I attached a 1⁄4 " hardboard cleat to one end (using just screws, no glue) so that it overhangs one edge by 1⁄4 ".
To use the jig, position the rip fence to leave a gap between the blade and jig equal to the desired thickness of the strip. Then place the workpiece against the jig, as shown above, and push the jig and workpiece past the blade.
You can use the jig to rip thinner strips, too. Doing this will cut away the end of the cleat but that's not a problem. If this happens, just remove the old cleat and screw a new one in place.
—Cliff Reid, Greenville, Ind.