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Re: Push sticks
By:Rehd
Date: 1/28/2000, 12:04 am
In Response To: Re: Push sticks (Don B)

> I have found that a featherboard makes a pretty good push stick. I use one
> feather against the fence, just before the blade. Then I push down and
> forward with a featherboard in my hand. Once the push stick, or feather
> board, is notched at the cut you can push it through without moving
> around.

> Definately stay out of the line of fire. But I always work alone. I guess
> two for three isnt bad :)

Unless you are working with someone who is familiar with your proceedure, you are better off working by yourself. Two on a table saw can be more dangerous than one. If your helper is taking the outfeed and moves just a tad, either way, you are gonna take a shot to the gut from whatever you are cutting. A 3/4" strip, coming at that speed, CAN penetrate. I have personally had kick-backs that flew 20' to the back of the shop and stuck in the sheetrock wall.

A push-stick can be any scrap of wood or particle board that has a notch to rest on the back of the wood to push and on top to put pressure down on the piece to keep it on the table. The best I've used is 5/8" particle board cut in the shape of a shoe. Approx. 8" long, 3" to 4" high and with a heel about 3/8" down in the back. Feed the material in to the blade and when the trailing edge gets to the table, keep it moving with the left hand, slowly, and pick up the push stick and set it on top of the material, with the heel pushing from the trailing edge and the toe pushing down on the material being cut. You don't want the material to stop, as it will burn. Then Put your left hand in your pocket or behind you, so you are not tempted to reach around the blade and HELP! You do, and we'll be calling you "3 finger" or stubby. The table saw is not a forgiving piece of equipment. If something doesn't look like it's going right, finish the cut and toss the piece, and do another one. I've picked up too many fingers from folks who thought they could save a cut, if they just reached over there and..........ZZIIIIIPPP............

You do not have to fear this saw, but RESPECT IT. If you are afraid of it, don't use it. Take al the safety precautions you've read and use them and it's a vary valuable tool.

Messages In This Thread

Table saw
Steve Groufsky -- 1/26/2000, 7:50 pm
Re: Table saw
Robert Sonday -- 1/30/2000, 2:19 pm
Re: Table saw
Paul G. Jacobson -- 1/28/2000, 2:49 am
Re: Table saw
Steve Groufsky -- 1/28/2000, 1:57 pm
Re: Ripping with a radial saw
Don Beale -- 1/28/2000, 6:20 pm
Re: Table saw
Tim Smith -- 1/28/2000, 3:22 pm
Re: Table saw
Paul G. Jacobson -- 1/28/2000, 6:28 pm
Re: Table saw
Tim Smith -- 1/30/2000, 3:48 pm
Band saw
Paul G. Jacobson -- 1/30/2000, 7:31 pm
Re: Table saw
Nolan -- 1/27/2000, 6:44 pm
Re: Push sticks
Don B -- 1/27/2000, 10:38 pm
Re: Push sticks
Rehd -- 1/28/2000, 12:04 am
Re: Table saw
Steve Groufsky -- 1/27/2000, 8:11 pm
Re: Table saw
Nolan -- 1/30/2000, 9:25 am
Re: Table saw
Tony Ling -- 1/27/2000, 1:25 pm
Re: Table saw
Tim Smith -- 1/27/2000, 1:03 pm