Exactly right. Never use the rip fence as your stop block. As your wood passes the blade the stresses in the wood cause it to move, almost as if you were driving a wedge into a log to split it. If the rip fence is used as a stop block this causes a pinch and the wood WILL ride up with the rear of the saw blade at an uncontrollable rate. This spells disaster, ruined wood and an emergency room visit. This wood movement will vary from piece to piece, some will actually move back together causing a bind with similar results. This is why most saws have splitters to hold the wood apart incorporated into the blade guard. Aftermarket splitters are available for situations where a standard blade guard can not be used.
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Mike
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