>To rip lumber cleanly and straight with a skillsaw you need two things: a zero-clearance base plate to prevent splinters, and a long guide which must be >absolutely :straight and long enough to ensure the cut starts and ends parallel with the plank edge. Of course for this to work the edge of the plank must be >reasonably straight. This page of my blog shows these and several other ideas I have found useful.

I've ripped the wood for 6 strippers and several SOF's with nothing more than a circuar saw and the standard small fence that came with it.
The key to doing it this way, like most things in life, is practice ... Though I certainly like ripping more with my new Festool plunge saw.

I've also cut the stringers and all else for two SOF's with only a jigsaw, a pencil line, and no fence. Don't knock it if you haven't tried it :)

http://www.yostwerks.com/AkunCollage1.jpg

Tom