Table of Contents
Advertisement
Model W1811 (For Machines Mfd. Since 6/14)
SHOP-MADE.SAFETY.ACCESSORIES
Featherboards
Easily made from scrap stock, featherboards provide an
added degree of protection against kickback, especially
when used together with push sticks. They also maintain
pressure on the workpiece to keep it against the fence
or table while cutting, which makes the operation easier
and safer because the cut can be completed without the
operator's hands getting near the blade. The angled ends
and flexibility of the fingers allow the workpiece to move
in only one direction.
Making.a.Featherboard
This sub-section covers the two basic types of
featherboards: 1) Those secured by clamps, or 2) those
secured with the miter slot.
Material.Needed.for.Featherboard:
Hardwood
⁄
" x 3" x 10" (Minimum) .........................1
3
4
Hardwood
⁄
" x 6" x 28" (Maximum) .........................1
3
4
Additional.Material.Needed.for.Mounting.Featherboard:
Hardwood
⁄
" x (Miter Slot Width) x 5"L ...................1
3
8
Wing Nut
⁄
"-20 .................................................1
1
4
Flat Head Screw
⁄
"-20 x 2" ..................................1
1
4
Flat Washer
⁄
"-20 .............................................1
1
4
To.make.a.featherboard,.do.these.steps:
1. Cut a hardwood board that is approximately
thick to size. The length and width of the board can
vary according to your design. Most featherboards
are 10"–28" long and 3"–6" wide. Make sure the wood
grain runs parallel with the length of the feather-
board, so the fingers you will create in Step.3.will
bend without breaking.
2. Cut a 30º angle at one end of the board.
3. Make a series of end cuts with the grain
apart and 2"–3" long, as shown in Figure.96
(A). Alternatively, start cuts at 2"–3" deep, then
make them progressively deeper, as shown in
Figure.96 (B).
Cuts. made. across. the. grain. result. in.
weak. fingers. that. easily. break. when.
flexed.. When. made. correctly,. the.
fingers. should. withstand. flexing. from.
moderate. pressure.. To. test. the. finger.
flexibility,.push.firmly.on.the.ends.with.
your.thumb..If.the.fingers.do.not.flex,.
they. are. likely. too. thick. (the. cuts. are.
too.far.apart).
A
⁄
"
3
4
B
Figure.96. Patterns for making
⁄
"–
⁄
"
3
1
Only.Steps 1–3.are.required.to.make.a.
8
4
clamp-mounted.featherboard..Refer.to.
Page 59. for. instructions. on. clamping.
the.featherboard.to.the.table.
-57-
10" (Minimum)
/
"
3
8
Initial Cut
2"-3"
3
/
"
8
Progressively
Longer Cuts
featherboards.
30°
Kerf
/
"-
/
"
1
1
16
8
2"-3"
Kerf
/
"-
/
"
1
1
16
8
Advertisement
Table of Contents
