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Stesso

Accumulated Kerf Error Demonstration

0:29
1:08
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At 0:29 in

Kerf

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What happens here

To illustrate the impact of kerf, a 12-inch wood board is measured. The creator attempts to divide it into three equal 4-inch pieces by marking and cutting. However, after making two cuts, the first two pieces correctly measure 4 inches, but the third piece is significantly shorter (3 and a quarter inches). This discrepancy occurs because each cut made removed material, and those kerf widths accumulated, making the final piece shorter than expected.

Goal: Demonstrate how kerf accumulates and affects multiple sequential cuts

Tools and materials

  • Miter Saw Ridgid — Making cuts to demonstrate kerf accumulation
  • Pencil — Marking the cut lines
  • Tape Measure Milwaukee — Measuring the resulting cut pieces
  • Wood Board — The 12-inch material being divided

What they say

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here's where things get interesting. Not every blade has the same kerf. Different blades can have different kerfs. Changing blades can change exactly how much material disappears. I take this 12-in piece and I want to divide it into three equal parts. These two pieces are sitting at 4 in, and my third piece is going to be at 3 and 1/4 because every one of these cuts has to eat a kerf. So, if I need a bunch of identical pieces, all set at the same length, I'm going to use a stop block.

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