Ryobi RTS31 manual HOW to Make a Featherboard, HOW to Mount a Featherboard

operation

FEATHERBOARD

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

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 Figure 26.

The featherboard is an excellent project for the saw. Select a solid piece of lumber approximately 3/4 in. 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 33 for information on miter cuts). Mark the board from the point at 6 in., 8 in., 10 in., and 12 in. Drill a 3/8 in. hole at the 8 in., 10 in., and 12 in. marks.

Prepare the saw for ripping as discussed on page 33. 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 com- pletely 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.

HOW TO MOUNT A FEATHERBOARD

See Figure 27.

Remove the lock knob, bolt, and washer from the miter fence holder. Place the bolt through one of the holes in the

2-1/2 in.

3/4 in.

featherboard. Positioning the featherboard will depend on the placement of the bolt and the position of the sliding miter table on the rails. Place the washer on the bolt and attach the lock knob, loosely. Position the featherboard with the hex head of the bolt in the miter table slot but do not tighten. 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 apply resistance to the workpiece just forward of the blade. Securely tighten the lock knob to secure the featherboard in place. Attach a C-clamp to further secure the featherboard to the edge of the sliding miter table.

warning:

Adjust the featherboard to apply resistance to the workpiece just forward of the blade.If positioned improp- erly, 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.

	push	push stick
featherboard	block

Bevel Locking

Lever

Fig. 27

1/4 in.

70° 1-1/16 in.

1/8 in.

12 in.

Fig. 26

25