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25
Fig. 26
OPERATION
FEATHERBOARD
A featherboard is a device used to help control the
workpiece by guiding it securely against the table or fence.
Featherboards are especially useful when ripping small
workpieces and for completing non-through cuts. The end
is angled with a number of short kerfs to give a friction hold
on the workpiece and locked in place on the table with a
C-clamp. Test to ensure it can resist kickback.
WARNING:
Place the featherboard against the uncut portion of the
workpiece to avoid kickback that could cause serious
personal injury.
HOW TO MAKE A FEATHERBOARD
See Figure 26.
The featherboard is an excellent project for the saw.
Select a solid piece of lumber approximately 3/4 in. thick,
3-5/8 in. wide and 18 in. long. Mark the center of the width
on one end of the stock. Miter one-half of the width to 30°
and miter the other half of the same end to 45° (see page
33 for information on miter cuts). Mark the board from the
point at 6 in., 8 in., 10 in., and 12 in. Drill a 3/8 in. hole at the
8 in., 10 in., and 12 in. marks.
Prepare the saw for ripping as discussed on page 33. Set
the rip fence to allow approximately a 1/4 in. “finger” to be
cut in the stock. Feed the stock only to the mark previously
made at 6 in. Turn the saw
OFF and allow the blade to com-
pletely stop rotating before removing the stock. Reset the
rip fence and cut spaced rips into the workpiece to allow
approximately 1/4 in. fingers and 1/8 in. spaces between
the fingers.
HOW TO MOUNT A FEATHERBOARD
See Figure 27.
Remove the lock knob, bolt, and washer from the miter
fence holder. Place the bolt through one of the holes in the
featherboard. Positioning the featherboard will depend on
the placement of the bolt and the position of the sliding
miter table on the rails. Place the washer on the bolt and
attach the lock knob, loosely. Position the featherboard with
the hex head of the bolt in the miter table slot but do not
tighten. 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. Securely tighten
the lock knob to secure the featherboard in place. Attach a
C-clamp to further secure the featherboard to the edge of
the sliding miter table.
WARNING:
Adjust the featherboard to apply resistance to the
workpiece just forward of the blade.If positioned improp-
erly, 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
BLOCK
Fig. 27
FEATHERBOARD
PUSH STICK
BEVEL LOCKING
LEVER
2-1/2 in.
3/4 in.
1/4 in.
1/8 in.
1-1/16 in.
12 in.
70°