Craftsman 315.349720 Operator's Manual page 23

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 to ensure it can resist kickback.
HOW TO MAKE A FEATHERBOARD
See Figure 24.
The featherboard is an excellent project for the saw.
Select a solid piece of lumber approximately 3/4 in. thick,
2-1/2 in. wide and 12 in. long. Mark the center of the
width on one end of the stock. Miter the width to 70 ° (see
page 30 for information on miter cuts).
Prepare the saw for ripping as discussed on page 30. 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 previ-
ously 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.
A
WARNING: Mount the featherboard in front of the
saw blade. If positioned improperly, 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.
FEATHERBOARD
PUSH
BLOCK
PUSH
STICK
BEVELLOCKING
LEVER
Fig. 25
HOW TO MOUNT A FEATHERBOARD
See Figure 25.
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. Attach C-clamps to further secure the featherboard
to the edge of the saw table.
I
2-1/2 in.
I
I
3/4in.
1
I
1/4 in.
1/8 in.
12 in.
Fig. 24
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