How To Mount A Featherboard; How To Make A Featherboard - RIDGID R4512 Operator's Manual

OPERATION
fEAThERBOARD
A featherboard is a device used to help control the workpiece
by guiding it securely against the table or fence. Feather-
boards 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 44.
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°. 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. Set the rip fence to allow ap-
proximately 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 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.
3-5/8 in.
3/4 in.

hOW TO MOUNT A fEAThERBOARD

See Figure 45.
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.
31
feaTHerBOard
30°
1-13/16 in.
45°
6 in.
PUSH
STICK
Fig. 45
Fig. 44