0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
70°
3/4 in.
(19 mm)
12 in.
(305 mm)
4 in. (100 mm)
2 1/2 in.
(63 mm)
1/4 in.
(6 mm)
1/8 in.
(3 mm)
Sandpaper or
old mouse pad
material
Wooden
dowel
4 in.
(101 mm)
6 in.
(152 mm)
2 in. (51 mm)
ENGLISH
21
How to make a push block (Fig. 22)
•
Select a piece of wood about 4 in. (101 mm) wide, 6 in.
(152 mm ) long and 1 (25 mm) to 2 in. (51 mm) thick (a
cutoff from a 2 in. (51 mm) by 4 in. (101 mm) makes a
good blank for a push block).
• Drill a hole in the block and glue in a dowel to use as a
handle (you can angle the hole to provide a more
comfortable grip on the handle).
• To finish off the block, glue a piece of sandpaper or
some kind of rubber material (old mouse pads work
well) to the bottom of the block.
Push blocks
How to make a featherboard (Fig. 23)
Push blocks are blocks used to securely hold down the
workpiece against the table. They include some gripping
surface or handle to hold the block. Any screws running
through the underside of the block to fasten the handle
should be recessed in order to avoid contact with the
workpiece.
WARNING:
When using featherboard, it must be
mounted in front of the blade and used only against
the uncut portion of the workpiece to avoid a
kickback that could result in serious injury.
Featherboards
A featherboard is a device used to help control the
workpiece by guiding it securely against the table or rip
fence. Featherboards are especially useful when ripping
small workpieces and for completing non-through cuts. The
end is angled with a series of narrow slots to give a friction
hold on the workpiece. It is locked in place on the table with
a C-clamp. Test to ensure it can resist kickback.
•
The featherboard is an excellent project for the saw.
Select a solid piece of lumber approximate 3/4 in.
(19 mm) thick, 2 1/2 in. (63 mm) wide and 12 in.
(305 mm) long.
•
Mark the center width on one end of stock. Miter width
to 70° ( See miter cut section for information on miter
cuts).
•
Set rip fence to allow approximately a 1/4 in. (6 mm)
“finger” to be cut in the stock.
•
Feed the stock only to the mark previously made at 4 in.
(100 mm).
•
Turn saw off and allow blade to completely stop
rotating before removing stock.
•
Reset rip fence and cut spaced rips into workpiece to
allow approximately 1/4 in. (6 mm) fingers and 1/8 in.
(3 mm) spaces between fingers.
How to mount a featherboard (Fig. 24)
• Completely lower the saw blade. Position the rip fence
to the desired adjustment for the cut to be performed
and lock.
•
Place the workpiece against the fence and over the
saw blade area. Adjust the featherboard to apply
resistance to the workpiece just forward of the blade.
Attach C-clamps
(not included) to further secure the
featherboard to the edge of the saw table.
Fig. 23
Fig. 22
1
2
3
4
WARNING:
Use a push block when the distance
between the fence and the saw blade is less than 2 in.
(51 mm).
1
3
4
2
4
Fig. 24
WARNING:
Do not locate the featherboard to the
rear of the workpiece. If positioned improperly,
kickback can result from the featherboard pinching
the workpiece and binding the blade in the saw kerf.
Failure to heed this warning can result in serious
personal injury.
Push stick
Push block
