It is important to know the various cut sizes available on a tablesaw when making precise cuts. This is because the two sides can produce different cuts depending on where the wood is placed relative to the blade.
The left side is known as the kerf or cut side. This is where the blade cuts through the wood. The chip side is the right side of the blade. This is where the chips that are created by the cut are ejected.
Different results can be achieved depending on which side you are using. You will get a better cut with fewer chips if the wood is placed closer to the kerf. You will get more chips and a cleaner cut if the wood is closer to the chip side.
These differences can have an impact on the outcome of your project.
Because of how the blade is aligned, table saws often have different cut dimensions per side. The wood will be closer to the fence if it is placed against the fence.
This is possible by using a table saw. In order to make the fence parallel to the blade, the two sides are deliberately ground at different angles. This ensures that one side will cut cleaner than the other.
The chip side has a greater angle, so it takes longer to cut each piece but leaves a straighter line. The angle on the side with the kerf is smaller, so it takes more off each cut but leaves a straighter edge.
You might also hear that the right side should be used for cutting and the left for ripping.
Although it is not a rule, it can be a useful starting point for precise, clean cuts.
Why then do table saws come in different sizes? The angle of the blade is what matters. The angle of the blade determines whether the wood is placed against the fence or closer to the blade. This causes the blade to do the majority of the cutting.
It is important to know which side of the blade you should use for each type cut. You can experiment with your saw to find the best settings. You can achieve perfect cuts every time with a little practice.
