FEATHERBOARD

A featherboard is a device used to help control the workpiece by holding 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.

HOW TO MAKE A FEATHERBOARD

See Figure 23.

The featherboard is an excellent project for the saw. Select a solid piece of lumber approximately 3/4 in. thick, 2-1/2 in. wide and 12 in. long. Mark the center of the width on one end of the stock. Miter the width to 70° (see page 32 for information on miter cuts).

Prepare the saw for ripping as discussed on page 32. 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 previ- ously made at 6 in. Turn the saw OFF and allow the blade to completely 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.

A WARNING: Mount the featherboard in front of the saw blade. 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.

FEATHERBOARD

PUSH

STICK

BEVEL

LOCKING

LEVER

Fig. 24

HOW TO MOUNT A FEATHERBOARD

See Figure 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 ap- ply resistance to the workpiece just forward of the blade. Securely tighten the adjusting clamp knob to secure the featherboard in place. Attach C-clamps to further secure the featherboard to the edge of the saw table.

F-

21/2in.

 

1__

1/4 in.

700 l

 

 

 

 

 

I

 

 

-A

 

1/8 in.

 

12in.

Fig. 23

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Craftsman 315.28461 manual HOW to Make a Featherboard, Featherboard Push, Stick Bevel Locking Lever