RIDGID TS3660 manual HOW to Make a Featherboard, Push Sticks Push Blocks, See Figures 41

OPERATION

PUSH STICKS

PUSH BLOCKS Fig. 43

FEATHERBOARD

A featherboard is a device used to help control the workpiece by guiding it securely against the table or rip fence. Feather- boards 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. Lock it in place on the table with a C-clamp. Test that it can resist kickback by restricting the forward motion of the workpiece.

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 Figures 41 - 42.

The featherboard is an excellent project for your saw. Select asolidpieceoflumberapproximately3/4in. 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 35 for information on miter cuts. Mark the board from the point at 6 in. Prepare the saw for ripping as discussed on page 35. 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 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.

WARNING:

Do not locate the featherboard to the rear of the workpiece. Kickback can result from the featherboard pinching the workpiece and binding the blade in the saw kerf if positioned improperly. Failure to heed this warning can result in serious personal injury.

PUSH BLOCK

FEATHERBOARD

PUSH

STICK

“C” CLAMP	BEVEL LOCK
	LEVER	Fig. 41

3-5/8 in.

3/4 in.

	30°
1/4 in.
	45°	1-13/16 in.
1/8 in.	6 in.
18 in.

Fig. 42

30