Hello All,
First off, note my moniker :^)
Second, please no replies of "buy a jointer." :^)
OK, specific scenario: yellow poplar, 4s4, 1x8. I've cut it to length (30") and am ready to rip my widths (3"). Laying it on the TS, there is noticeable twist - I'd say 1/8" to 3/16" across two diagonal corners (push down one corner, the far opposite rises off the table 1/8-3/16")
So, how big a safety issue is this to go ahead and rip? Blade guard/splitter/pawls all in-place. I went ahead and did it and got enough resistance as the board began passing the splitter that I actually shut the saw down and manually pulled the board back out; could see that the wood was closing up after the kerf, though it didn't seem that it would have been enough to cause the resistance I got; regardless, flipped it end-for-end and completed the cut w/o incident. The 2nd rip from the ~4-1/2" cutoff went cleanly.
That's the safety question. I DO realize that piece I was cutting for is now not "perfectly" flat nor with "perfectly" square edge/face corners. Eh, it might not matter in my specific case, THIS time, for THIS project. BUT. How much twist do you tolerate before you either work to correct it, or select different stock?
I fully admit that I'm completely susceptible to TAS - Tool Acquisition Syndrome. Yet, because my moniker is what it is, I'm far from having carte blanche from SWMBO :^) Jointer has to wait.
So, where do I go from here? I don't want this to devolve into a "how flat is flat" debate. I'm just looking for thoughts on how to work with what I have - TS (GI 50-185L), 3-1/4hp plunge router, CMS, various bench-top and hand-held sanders.
Thanks, Chris