RIDGID R45171NS Operator's Manual page 22

OPERATION
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 that
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 18.
The featherboard is an excellent project for your 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
31 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 28. 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.
3-5/8 in.
3/4 in.
HOW TO MOUNT A FEATHERBOARD
See Figure 19.
Completely lower the saw blade. Position the rip fence to the
desired adjustment for the cut to be performed and lock the
rip fence. 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. Attach C-clamps
to secure the featherboard to the edge of the saw table.
WARNING:
The featherboard must be installed in front of
the blade. Do not locate the featherboard to the
rear of the blade. 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
1/4 in.
1/8 in.
18 in.
22 − English
FEATHERBOARD
30°
1-13/16 in.
45°
6 in.
PUSH
STICK
Fig. 19
Fig. 18