Non destructive rip jig

[Wichman]

If you need to rip an edge, like the recent post, you can set up a rip fence on the scroll saw ( this has a much better chance of Not catching the piece and ruining many hours of cutting) ;

Using a length of straight 1 x 2, clamp it to your SS table at the appropriate distance, Then using a spiral blade, carefully hold the egde to be cut against the fence and cut. You can angle the fence and be able to cut unlimited length of material (subject to huiman limitations )   If you change the angle of the fence, you can use more of the spiral blade(s).

   

[BadBob]

I never thought of using a spiral blade to rip wood on a scroll saw. Now I have a use for the spiral blades I never use. 

[Denny Knappen]

Why spiral rather than flat?

[Wichman]

45 minutes ago, Denny Knappen said:

Why spiral rather than flat?

So you can cut at an angle and bypass the rear mount of the saw arm. This will allow ripping a piece that is longer than the throat of your saw, by varying the angle of the rip fence, 20 or 30 degrees at a time will allow you to get much longer blade life. 

Edited November 10, 2025 by Wichman

[Denny Knappen]

22 hours ago, Wichman said:

So you can cut at an angle and bypass the rear mount of the saw arm. This will allow ripping a piece that is longer than the throat of your saw, by varying the angle of the rip fence, 20 or 30 degrees at a time will allow you to get much longer blade life. 

WOW great explanation.  I never thought of going beyond the throat by using spiral blades and angle cuts.

[Scrappile]

Interesting, thanks for the posting.

[Wichman]

2 hours ago, Denny Knappen said:

WOW great explanation.  I never thought of going beyond the throat by using spiral blades and angle cuts.

The one thing I didn't address is using flat blades. I don't use flat blades for this because; 1. stamped blades with a burr will change cutting angle with time, getting a consistent angle is difficult, 2. Using milled blades, if the grain is uneven or if one side of the blade hits an knot, the angle of cutting can be thrown off. In both cases the spiral blades are much less suspectable to this issue.

[Mike Crosa]

Thanks for the info.  Learn something new everyday.  Never thought of your suggestion.