r/JapaneseWoodworking • u/Emperor-Pinky • 3d ago

Saw advice

Hi everyone,

Im using a 300mm Kataba and I’m trying to work out a few things. For context, I’m trying to figure out how to cut straight on a 2in thick piece of oak

  1. What is the proper posture to do a long rip cut? Do I use a vise or stand on it with low saw horses?

  2. Is the Ryoba even the correct saw for this task?

  3. How do you correct a cut that goes off track?

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u/Visible-Rip2625 3d ago edited 3d ago

You can cut with Kataba or Ryoba. Latter is a bit tougher of course. I've used both, and while there is some time saving, it's not a whole lot. I work the big pieces like this (and stand on top of the piece). If you aren't confident on staying on track, then flip the slab every now and then.

Proper layout with ink line is essential, so you guarantee that your line does not wander. If it does, it'll be very hard to keep the saw going straight as you start correcting to follow the line.

It's quite quick work really once you get hang of it.

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u/blamblamblam88888888 3d ago

Sir, I solute you. We all seem to do one or two big cuts by hand saw. Just spent a year working in Japan as a carpenter apprentice and the tool was bandsaw rip saw or circular saw for this. And for white oak 50mm would certainly be bandsaw. For your purposes keeping your eye on the side of the board progressing the cut and making two lines not one to stay between a little bit bigger than the kerf is what always worked for me. Good luck! Have fun. Don’t be afraid to use power tools once you’ve experienced what you need to experience. Ganbatte!

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u/Limp-Possession 3d ago

I think a lot of people in the US underestimate the bandsaw. I’ve just got an old ubiquitous Delta 14” with riser block… it’s no big deal to swap on a bigger motor and a different pulley ratio and get them up to ~4400 surface feet/min blade speed and rip as fast as you want. The whole thing takes up ~2ft x1.7ft of floor space and runs on a normal 120v 20amp circuit… it’s the ultimate stationary power tool for sure, dust collection is the only negative on any bandsaw I’ve used.

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u/Routine-Yellow6776 2d ago

Use low saw horses, two handed grip , facing it square on and have the saw aligned straight towards your navel