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[NoNuFink]

Hi guys,

I've just started to try and rip some venetian blind slats.  The slats are some kind of 2mm thick, hard wood (looks like walnut) about 48" x 1" and I want to produce 1/4" planks.  I've started using an old but rarely used, minicraft circular saw.  However it's a bit "Mickey Mouse" and doesn't want to produce consistant results without me fighting it to hold the slat in a sensible position. 

Can anybody recommend a different way of doing it or perhaps a different tool?

TIA

NNF

[derekwarner]

NNF....a little Proxxon FKSE table saw with the TCT blade would complete your task without issue....perfect squareness & straightness of the sawn product 

6.35 plank width + 1.6 blade kerf  = 7.96  ...so each slat would provide 3 x planks  ...

Your material nomination of walnut is interesting .....the specie of walnut material [hard, tough, beautifully and contextually grained and many hundreds of years in age] and are commonly used for surface laminates ......... Derek

Courtesy of the WIKI people.......

Walnut shoot cut longitudinally to show chambered pith, scale in mm
The common walnut and the black walnut and its allies, are important for their attractive timber, which is hard, dense, tight-grained and polishes to a very smooth finish. The colour ranges from creamy white in the sapwood to a dark chocolate colour in the heartwood. When kiln-dried, walnut wood tends toward a dull brown colour, but when air-dried can become a rich purplish-brown. Because of its colour, hardness and grain, it is a prized furniture and carving wood. Walnut burls (or 'burrs' in Europe) are commonly used to create bowls and other turned pieces.

[steamboatmodel]

I ripped up some years ago, took longer to set up a fixture to hold them safely then it did to cut them. Just make sure your fingers are clear of the blade and feed slow.
Regards,
Gerald.

[Peter Fitness]

I agree with Derek, I have one of the Proxxon saws and it's invaluable for cutting planking. They're not cheap but I think worth every cent.


Peter.

[nivapilot]

With a zero tolerance insert of course.
My table saw will be getting a 9mm MDF cover, with the blade risen up through the top, then I need to fabricate a new guide.

At the moment I don't have an insert, so have a big enough gap down the side of the blade to cause a few problems.

[Peter Fitness]

I have not found that to be a problem with my Proxxon.


Peter.

[PICKETBOAT]

Hi all

I agree with all the above. Not so sure that the Venetian blinds would be walnut, the hard close grained stuff used to such great effect in 18th century furniture.
There are different types often grouped under one heading of walnut. The fine grained light weight close grained stuff (often used as veneers on continental furniture) is sometimes referred to as sap walnut. The light weight, open grained stuff often (unfortunately) supplied with some kits, has a very non scale grain and is best used for stirring paint and lighting the fire. Having said all that if you are happy with the grain, then go ahead. A good circular saw is essential. The Proxxon is good. Mind your fingers and wear a mask! 

[NoNuFink]

Thanks for the input guys - I will be looking into smashing the piggy bank soon for a Proxxon.

I can't be sure it's walnut - I'm inexperienced about which wood is which.  I got the idea in my head that it was Walnut because I looked up the blinds on the Argos website and they are described as Walnut.
The grain looks like Ramin but the texture is harder and the colour will depend on how it's been treated. Below is a picture of a piece after it's been sanded with 100 grit.  Bear in mind that it's 1" across

NNF