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The importance of Push Sticks
Push sticks are easy to make and often overlooked as to their importance. Speaking from experience, never push your material past the blade with your hand. You never know when the blade may bind and try to throw it back at you. When using the table saw to cut narrow strips, I like make a push stick that will push the material on both sides of the blade. This way the material will not get thrown back at you because of the direction of the blade rotation. The blade height above the material will cut through the push stick so I try to keep it next to fence so that for repetitive cuts it will not eat up the push stick.
This can also be applied to the band saw. When you have small pieces that require your hands to be very close to the blade, devise a push stick to use. You can make one with a slot the size of the material so you can still guide it for curves. This is what I didn't do and now I have the scar to prove it. Push tools are one of the most important jigs to make and don't ever forget that. It can save a finger or more. |
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