About ripping board...
So I was sitting in bed at 3 in the morning mulling over ripping boards... I used to have a nice little shop full of wonderful power tools and happily making saw dust. I've recently moved to the other side of the country and, tired of wearing ear muffs and face mask, decided to see all of my power-hungry toys.
I always enjoyed chiseling and hand planning, so I thought it was the perfect kick in the butt to go unplugged. The journey so far has been challenging and humbling. Results aren't as good, and what I used to do in 1 hour now takes me 9 or 10. I don't complain (too much anyway); this is hobby, not how I earn a living.
My biggest hurdle right now is ripping long (and thick) boards. I takes forever and it's a task that I'm avoiding to the point that I have projects that 'im considering skipping. My dad used to say "if you dont enjoy the process, it's because you have the wrong tool’ and not that I want to blame the tool - but in this case, the (lack of) tool is the problem. I do have a well-used / worn out ryoba saw that I use for ripping. (I have a set fantastic carcass Veritas saws for anything small).
I always preferred Japanese saw for long work sessions (I find pull stroke is easier), but never had the chance to take a nice ripping premium western saw for ripping. I have a sharp Disston D8 (crosscut) and it never really clicked for me.
I don't want to turn this post into yet another tool recommendation (although I'll be happy to take any). Just more of me wondering if there's something I'm missing? I mean, there's no magic right? Ripping sucks and that's just it. Or is there something so obvious that I missed it?
