51
When ripping work less than 4 inches wide, use a push stick to complete the feed The push stick can easily be made from scrap material by following the pattern shown.
Fig. 49 illustrates the dimensions for making a typical featherboard. Make the featherboard from a straight piece of wood that
is free of knots and cracks. Featherboards are used to keep the work in contact with the fence and table and to help prevent
kickbacks. Clamp the featherboards to the fence and table so that the leading edge of the featherboards will support the workpiece
until the cut is complete. Use featherboards for all non “thru-sawing” operations where the guard and spreader assembly must
be removed (see Fig. 50). Always replace the guard and spreader assembly when the non thru-sawing operation is completed.
Fig. 49 Fig. 50
CONSTRUCTING A PUSH STICK
CONSTRUCTING A FEATHERBOARD