Now, after our last article on Rip Cut versus Crosscut, I’ve noticed a lot of curiosity bubbling up. I’ve seen questions like, ‘Can I use a crosscut blade for ripping?’ or ‘Is it okay to use a rip blade for crosscutting?’ These are great questions, showing you’re thinking critically about your tools and techniques.
Rip blades, designed for cutting along the wood grain, and crosscut blades, made for cutting across the grain, are not interchangeable due to their specialized designs. While possible, using them for the opposite task can lead to inefficient, suboptimal results. Combination blades offer a versatile solution for both types of cuts.
Without further ado, let’s delve into the specific uses of rip and crosscut blades and uncover the risks of interchanging them and our practices.
Contents
Crosscutting with Rip Blade and Vice versa
Suppose we answer the question in simpler words. We’d say yes, you can crosscut with a rip blade or rip cut with a crosscut blade, but you shouldn’t.
Using a crosscut blade for ripping or a rip blade for crosscutting is technically feasible. We have tested this ourselves to provide you with an accurate answer, and based on our findings, we do not recommend it.
You see, each blade’s tooth design and count are optimized for its specific task, making them unsuitable for the other’s job. Let’s begin by clearly defining what sets these blades apart in their build and design.
Understanding Specs of Rip Blades
Purpose: Rip-cut blades are engineered to cut with the grain of the wood.
Teeth Design: They have fewer teeth, usually 10 to 24 (sometimes 40-tooth), with a flat top grind (FTG) tooth pattern.
Hook Angle: These blades often have a hook angle of at least 20 degrees to enhance the speed and efficiency of cutting.
Finish: The finish produced by rip-cut blades is rougher because of the low tooth count, as they rip the wood apart along the grain.
Cutting Action: The teeth are designed to scrape off wood fibers, and the grooves between them help carry away sawdust.
Hook Angle: The teeth are set at a hook angle of at least 20 degrees to maximize cutting efficiency.
Reasons Not to Use Crosscut Blades for Rip Cuts (Based On Our Testing)
Slower Cuts: Crosscut blades have more teeth designed to finely cut across wood fibers. When used for rip cuts, the finer teeth cut much slower because they’re not designed to clear away long wood fibers along the grain.
Increased Resistance and Burn Risk: Crosscut blades can cause increased resistance when used for rip cuts, especially in thicker materials, which can result in burning the wood due to excessive friction.
Potential for Kickback: Crosscut blades don’t remove sawdust efficiently when ripping without deep gullets. The build-up of material can lead to the wood binding on the blade, increasing the risk of kickback.
Inefficient Material Removal: The small teeth on a crosscut blade are ineffective at removing large amounts of material along the grain, leading to inefficient and laborious cutting.
Tearout and chipping: Using a crosscut blade for rip cuts is ineffective because its small, beveled teeth do not align correctly with the wood grain, leading to tearing and chipping. More teeth in contact with the wood increase friction, further risking tear out and a rough finish.
Understanding Specs of Crosscut Blades
Purpose: Crosscut blades are designed to cut against the wood grain.
Teeth Design: These blades have a higher tooth count, typically between 60-tooth to 80-tooth on a 10-inch blade, with Alternate Top Bevel (ATB) or High Alternate Top Bevel (Hi-ATB) tooth patterns.
Finish: They are preferred for their ability to produce a cleaner finish, especially in softer woods, by reducing splintering or “spelching.”
Cutting Action: Like a utility knife, the blades feature sharply pointed ends to slice through wood fibers effectively.
Reasons Not to Use Rip Blades for Crosscuts (Based On Our Testing)
Ripping with a crosscut blade can be problematic, particularly with thicker material.
Excessive Tearout: Rip blades have fewer, larger teeth designed to quickly remove material along the grain. When used across the grain, they can cause excessive tear out, leaving a rough, unsatisfactory finish.
Rough Finish: The larger teeth of a rip blade may rip the fibers of the wood apart when crosscutting rather than slicing through them, leading to a rougher and less precise finish.
Difficulty in Starting the Cut: Rip blades are not as easy to start in a crosscut situation due to their tooth design, which may lead to inaccuracies in the cut.
Less Control: The aggressive nature of rip blade teeth can make it harder to control the saw during crosscuts, potentially leading to uneven cuts and user fatigue.
Unsuitable Tooth Geometry: The geometry of rip blade teeth is not designed for slicing through wood fibers cleanly, which is necessary for a good crosscut.
Tear-out: this usage will create a lot of tear-out due to larger teeth.
Not suitable for softer wood: While rip blades can be used for crosscutting, the finish may not be as clean, especially in softer woods.
But in general, some of our fellow woodworkers (during interviews) say that you can use crosscut blades for ripping, but we need to take a few safety measures and keep the cutting process slow; this is because there is still too much risk involved, like binding or you might burn the material.
What Should We Do If We’re Dealing With Crosscuts and Rip Cuts In a Single Project?
Often, actually, quite frequently, we find ourselves working on projects where we need to make both cross cuts and rip cuts. This is a common scenario, not just for us but for most woodworkers. In such situations, we generally have two options:
1. Make All Crosscuts Or Rip Cuts First
The first approach is to make all the cross cuts first, then change the blade and proceed with the rip cuts. However, this isn’t considered the most professional method, and we don’t usually favor this approach.
2. Convert Crosscut Saw Into Rip Saw Or Vice Versa
To transform a crosscut saw into a rip saw, the primary task is reshaping the teeth. This involves joining the teeth to create a flat surface, then re-filing them into the appropriate rip tooth shape, usually straight across at a 90-degree angle to the blade.
The process is similar to converting a rip saw into a crosscut saw but involves adding fleam to the teeth and adjusting the tooth rake.
We’ve discussed the transformation of a crosscut saw or blade into a rip saw and a rip saw into a crosscut saw in detailed steps. If you want to use this option, you should read our guide.
3. Using Combination Blade
The second approach involves using crosscut blades. This can be a more efficient way to handle projects requiring both cuts.
We have a detailed article on these three blade types that you must read: Rip Vs Crosscut Vs Combination Blades
Combination Blades Can Make Rip and Cross Cuts
Tooth Design: Combination blades typically have a tooth count that falls between rip and crosscut blades, often around 40 to 50 teeth for a 10-inch blade. The teeth are arranged in groups with five teeth: four with a beveled edge for crosscutting and one with a flat top for ripping.
Tooth Geometry: The teeth on a combination blade are designed with a unique geometry that combines the characteristics of both rip and crosscut blades. The alternating tooth bevel (ATB) cuts cleanly across the grain, while the flat-top raker teeth assist in removing material along the grain.
Kerf Width: The kerf of a combination blade is typically thin enough to make smooth crosscuts but still stable sufficient for efficient ripping.
To Understand the concept of Kerf, and which Kerf width is suitable for you, read our detailed guides:
What is KERF in Woodworking? Explaining KERF Bending!
Thin Kerf Vs Full Kerf Blades – Which One Is Better?
Cost-Effectiveness: Owning a combination blade can be more economical than purchasing separate rip and crosscut blades, making it a cost-effective solution for woodworkers on a budget.
Summing Up
| Aspect | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Crosscut for Ripping | Not Recommended |
| Rip for Crosscutting | Advised Against |
| Rip Blades Specs | Fewer Teeth |
| Crosscut Blades Specs | Higher Tooth Count |
| Dealing with Both Cuts | Combination Blade |
| Converting Crosscut to Rip | Reshape Teeth |
| Converting Rip to Crosscut | Add Fleam |
Some Tips From Our Engineer For Selecting the Right Blade
If you encounter issues with your current saw blade’s performance, here are some recommendations to improve the cutting process:
Correct Blade Selection: Always use the appropriate blade for the task. A rip blade is suited for cuts along the grain, while a crosscut blade is for cuts across the grain.
Blade Maintenance: Inspect the blade for dullness or damage. If it’s not sharp or has sustained damage, it should be sharpened or replaced to ensure clean cuts.
Appropriate Blade for Material Thickness: Select a blade that matches the thickness of the material you’re cutting. A blade with the correct tooth count and design is essential for efficient cutting.
Versatile Blade Option: For varied cutting tasks, consider using a universal blade like the combination blade, which offers both rip and crosscut capabilities in one. (As we’ve discussed above)
Feed Rate Adjustment: When the blade is not cutting efficiently, adjust the speed at which you feed the wood into the blade. A slower feed rate may be necessary to reduce the risk of tearing out and burning.
Regarding speed, we’ve covered a detailed article that you should read: Cutting Wood Fast Vs Slow.
Use of Guides, Fence, or Jigs: For maintaining precision, employ guides or jigs to keep your cuts straight, especially if the blade is not performing optimally.
Also, Read: Table Saw Fence – Alignment Guide
Safety Precautions: Prioritize safety by using protective equipment and following safe operating procedures, significantly when the blade is not cutting as expected.
That covers everything regarding using a crosscut blade for ripping or a rip blade for crosscutting. If you have any questions or feel uncertain, please feel free to leave us a comment.
You can also reach out to our engineer for guidance. (He looks strict in the photo but is a lovely and very helpful colleague).