This is a tip I just submitted to GR Magazine. If they do not decide to use it, I’ll post it here, FWIW.
Tips: Cutting thin strips of scale lumber safely.
The method I have found works best for cutting thin strips of wood on my table saw is to build a fence jig for my panel cutting jig. My panel cutting jig has a 25" capacity and with the fence I built it allows repeated, reproducible thicknesses quickly with no measuring. The sled is placed on the table saw with the piece to be duplicated against the blade and the jig against the piece. The vertical leg of the jig is then clamped to the panel saw, the pattern piece removed and the squared-up stock held against the jig. After cutting the new strip, DO NOT pull the panel saw back before removing the new piece and the stock away from the saw blade. A sharp blade will produce results that need very little sanding. It’s as simple as that.
The link to the web album has photos of the jig I made to safely cut strips as thin as you need without getting your (dick-beaters) fingers in the way. Open the web album and click on “slideshow”
http://picasaweb.google.com/Bunky39/Trains02?authkey=Gv1sRgCKLWh8iHtZDPvQE&feat=directlink
