Shop-Made.safety.accessories; Featherboards - Shop fox W1837 Owner's Manual

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, and 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 wood
grain runs parallel with length of featherboard, so
fingers you will create in Step.3.will bend without
breaking.
2. Cut 30º angle at one end of board.
3. Make a series of end cuts with the grain
apart and 2"–3" long, as shown in Figure.75
(A). Alternatively, start cuts at 2"–3" deep, then
make them progressively deeper, as shown in
Figure.75 (B).
Model W1837 (For Machines Mfd. Since 1/15)
We.recommend.using.a.bandsaw.
for.making.fingers.in.the.next.step.
because.it.tends.to.be.safer..A.table.
saw.can.be.used,.but.it.will.over-cut.
the.underside.of.the.ends,.produce.a.
thicker.kerf,.and.require.you.to.stop.
the.blade.half-way.through.the.cut,.
which.can.be.dangerous..
A
B
Figure.75. Patterns for making
IMPORTANT: Cuts made across grain result
⁄ "
3
4
in weak fingers that easily break when
flexed. When made correctly, fingers
should withstand flexing from moderate
pressure. To test finger flexibility, push
firmly on ends with your thumb. If fingers
do not flex, they are likely too thick (cuts
are too far apart).
⁄ "– ⁄ "
3 1
8 4
Only.Steps 1–3.are.required.to.make.a.
clamp-mounted.featherboard..Refer.to.
Page 54.for.instructions.on.clamping.
-52-
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