Editing Ripsaw

{{Short description|Type of saw for dividing wood along its grain}}
{{Other uses}}
[[Image:Ripsaw.JPG|thumb|right|300px|A ripsaw]]

A '''ripsaw''' (or '''rip saw''') is a wood [[saw]] that is specially designed for making a [[rip cut]], a cut made parallel to the direction of the [[wood grain]].

==Design==
The cutting edge of each tooth has a flat front edge and it is angled backward by about 8°, in contrast to a [[crosscut saw]], which has teeth angled backward by about 15°.<ref name=Lye71>{{cite book|last1=Lye|first1=P.F.|title=Woodwork theory|date=1971|publisher=Thomas Nelson |location=London |isbn=9780174443209 |page=23 |edition=Metric |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=d4VVOjz1GpgC&q=%22rip+saw%22&pg=PA23 |access-date=22 October 2015}}</ref> 

With the "rip" tooth pattern, the edges are sharpened at right angles to the cutting plane, forming [[chisel]]-like cutting surfaces, whereas  crosscut teeth are sharpened at an angle, so that each tooth has a [[knife]]-like cutting point in contact with the wood.<ref name=Lye71 /> This design keeps the saw from following grain lines, which could curve the path of the saw: by acting like a chisel, the saw can more easily cut across deviating grain lines, which is necessary if a straight cut is to be achieved. This feature enables the [[Orthogonality|orthogonal]] cutting edge to efficiently transport wood-chips from the [[kerf]], allowing subsequent teeth to perform a more effective cut. 

It is possible to see this material removal mechanism in action by analyzing frame by frame footage of the cutting process.{{cn|date=July 2019}} Ripsaws typically have 4–10 teeth per inch, making them relatively coarse.{{cn|date=July 2019}}

==Use==
All [[sawmill]]s use ripsaws of various types including the [[circular saw]] and [[band saw]]. Historically sawmills used one or more [[reciprocating saw]]s more specifically known as an "up-and-down" or "upright saw"  which are of two basic types, the [[frame saw]] or a muley (mulay) saw<ref>''New international encyclopedia'', 2nd ed. Volume 20. New York: Dodd, Mead, and Co. 1916. 601.</ref> which is similar to the hand powered [[pit saw]]. Some sawmills also use crosscut saws to cut boards and planks to length.

==Cutting styles==
On the vast majority of saws throughout the world, the teeth are designed to cut when the saw is being pushed through the wood (on the push stroke or down stroke). However, some saws (such as [[Japanese saw]]s and the saws used by [[Ancient Egypt]]ians) are designed to cut on the pull stroke.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Woodworking}}

[[Category:Saws]]
[[Category:Woodworking hand tools]]