kerfs

Kerf is the width of material removed by a cutting tool, forming the slot or cut in a workpiece. In woodworking and metalworking, the kerf describes the width of the cut produced by a blade or other cutting method and is a key factor in layout, fitting, and material waste.

Kerf is primarily determined by the cutting tool's geometry and condition. In saw work, blade thickness sets the basic kerf, while tooth configuration, blade drift, and how firmly the workpiece is supported can widen or skew the cut. Temperature and dullness can also affect the kerf as teeth remove material with varying aggression. In common woodworking, standard blades produce kerfs roughly 1/8 inch (about 3 mm); thin-kerf blades can yield about 1/16 inch (1.5–2 mm).

Implications: The kerf reduces the finished dimensions of stock and creates waste. For example, cutting a board to width or length leaves a gap equal to the kerf unless compensated. Repeated cuts accumulate kerf loss, which matters in precision joinery and panel sizing. Kerf is also relevant when laying out patterns that fit together, and for measuring components after cutting.

Management: To control kerf, choose blades with the desired kerf width, use thin-kerf blades when conserving material, and consider zero-clearance inserts to reduce tear-out and kerf widening. Accurate setup, fence alignment, and checking actual cut widths against planned values help maintain precision. Some designers and machinists intentionally offset cuts to compensate for kerf in assemblies.

Context: While kerf is defined here primarily for woodworking, the term applies to any cutting process, including metalworking, plasma, waterjet, laser, and abrasive cutting. Each process produces its own kerf width and potential taper or drift, which must be accounted for in fabrication drawings and tolerances.