A Little Bit About Diehl Machine Works
In 1909, Diehl Machines was founded by George M Diehl in Indiana. Several years later, “the Wood-Worker” ran an ad on the company referring to his business as G. M. Diehl Machine Works, and so it began. In 1913, Diehl created the first straight-line ripsaw and also produced glue jointers, which soon became obsolete due to major improvements made by Diehl soon after.
Since its beginnings in 1909, Diehl has been on the cutting edge of the design and manufacturing of woodworking machinery. In addition to their well known straight-line ripsaws, Diehl also specializes in production of lathes, gang rip saws, and other wood tooling and grinding equipment.
What Is A Rip Saw?
A rip saw is a wood saw specifically designed to rip solid material. Ripping material into smaller sections helps us to meet specific project requirements and also helps reduce waste of valuable materials.
Rip saws are generally designed around a circular saw blade with the cutting edges sharpened at a right angle to the cutting plane, which is actually similar to a chisel. This kees the saw from following grain lines and curving with the path of the grain. By cutting like a chisel, the blade of a rip saw cuts much easier across deviating grain lines.
Historically, the most woodworking accidents occur while a craftsman is using this machine. The accidents range from finger amputations to fatalities and are typically caused by kickbacks. Kickbacks are material that is ejected on contact with the saw blade because of poor or no guard adjustment. Ensuring the guard is set properly and the machine is running at a resonable speed is a great way to safely run a rip saw!
The Main Parts of a Rip Saw
Base – The giant base of the rip saw supports the entire machine and also encases the working parts, protecting them from saw dust.
Saw Blade – The saw blade is a circular blad with edges that are sharpened at a right angle to the cutting plane. This is what does the cutting, or ripping, of the material.
Ripping Fence – The rip fence is typically a metal “bar” that runs parallel to the saw blade. A ripping fence’s main function is to help ensure the operator’s safety by keeping the wood lined up, keeping the rip clean and preventing any kickbacks.
Riving Knife – Often considered the single most important safety feature on a saw, a riving knife can eliminate nearly all kickbacks – the primary reason for woodworking injuries.
Adjustment Wheel – The adjustment wheel is responsible for the rise and fall of the saw blade. It adjusts the cutting depth to the specifications of each job.
Tilting Wheel – The tilting wheel adjusts the angle of the saw blade.
Our Diehl Rip Saw
All the solid stock we use will be ripped at some point, so our rip saw gets used daily. Even though this machine is nearing 90 years old, it still runs an edge as straight and true as the day it was made. Even by today’s standards, achieving a straighter edge is nearly impossible.
Stay tuned for more detailed blog posts about the machines we use in the D.P. Juza shop. In the meantime, take a look at some of the custom woodworking projects that this machine has allowed us to take on with confidence.