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WORK HELPERS
Before cutting any wood on your saw, study all of
the “Basic Saw Operations.”
Notice that in order to make some of the cuts, it is
necessary to use certain devices, “Work Helpers,”
like the Push Stick, the Push Block and the Auxil-
iary Fence, which you can make yourself.
After you have made a few practice cuts, make
these “help ers” before starting any projects. Make
the “Push Stick” first. (A push stick is included with
the SPT99).
PUSH STICK AND PUSH BLOCK
Make the push stick using a piece of 1 x 2 as shown
(Fig. 44).
Make the push block using pieces of 3/8" plywood
A and 3/4" hardwood B (Fig. 45).
The small piece of wood, 1/2" x 3/8" x 2-1/2",
should be GLUED to the plywood… DO NOT
USE NAILS. This is to prevent dulling the saw-
blade in the event you mistakenly cut into the push
block.
Position the handle in the center of the plywood
and fasten it together with glue and woodscrews.
Use a push stick whenever the fence is 2 inches or
more from the blade. Use a push block when the
operation is too narrow to allow the use of a push
stick. For proper use, see “Ripping” and “Bevel
Ripping sections .”
The push stick or block should be used in the place
of the user’s hand to guide the material only be-
tween the fence and blade.
When using a push stick or push block, the trailing
end of the board must be square. A push stick or
block against an uneven end could slip off or push
the work away from the fence.
MAKING A FEATHERBOARD
Figure 46 illustrates dimensions for making a
typical feather board. It should be made from a
straight piece of wood that is free of knots or
cracks. Kerf E should be about 1/4" apart (Fig. 46).
45°
Notch
Workpiece
End
1/4
1/4
3/4
1/4
1-1/2
15
B
A
These edges
must be parallel
5
12
12
3/8
3/8
3/8
5-1/8
2-1/2
2-1/2
4-3/4
NOTE: All dimensions in inches.
E
8
4-1/2
3/4
25
5
Basic Table Saw Operation
FIG. 44
FIG. 45
FIG. 46
