Featherboards are handy tools to have in your woodworking arsenal. They can be used to hold the stock against the fence on a table saw or to help keep a workpiece against the miter gauge on a saw or router.
This blog post will show you how to use a feather board on your table saw. We’ll also discuss some of the benefits of using a feather board and provide some tips for setting them up correctly.
What is a eatherboard, and what does it do:
A feather board is a device that helps to hold a workpiece in place while it is being worked on. It does this by using a series of fingers or “feathers” to apply pressure to the workpiece, which helps to keep it from moving.
Why use a featherboard:
There are a few reasons why you might want to use a feather board while working on a project.
- One reason is that it can help to keep the workpiece from moving. This is especially important when working with power tools, as a moving workpiece can be dangerous.
- Another reason to use a feather board is that it can help to keep the workpiece in a consistent position. This is important when working on projects that require precision, such as cutting a piece of wood to a specific size.
Do I need a featherboard for the table saw?:
You might be wondering if you need a feather board for your table saw. The answer is that it depends on what you’re using the table saw for.
If you’re using the table saw to make straight cuts, you probably don’t need a feather board. However, if you’re doing any work that requires precision, then a feather board is a must-have tool.
How to use a featherboard on the table saw:
Now that you know what a featherboard is and why you might want to use one let’s look at how to use it on your table saw.
The first step is to attach the featherboard to the table saw’s fence. There are a few different ways to do this, but the most common is to use a couple of bar clamps.
Once the featherboard is attached to the fence, you can then adjust it to be in the correct position. You want the feathers to be pointing towards the blade of the saw, and you want the board to be positioned so that it is just behind the workpiece.
The next step is to feed the workpiece into the table saw. As you do this, the feathers will help keep the workpiece in place and prevent it from moving around.
Finally, you want to make sure that the featherboard is not in the way of the blade. You can do this by checking the clearance on each side of the blade. There should be at least a 1/4-inch clearance on each side.
If there is not enough clearance, you can adjust the position of the featherboard. Just be sure to readjust the clamps so that the featherboard is securely attached to the fence.
Benefits of using a featherboard:
There are a few benefits to using a featherboard on your table saw.
- One benefit is that it can help to keep your workpiece from moving. This is especially important when working with power tools, as a moving workpiece can be dangerous.
- Another benefit is that it can help to keep your workpiece in a consistent position. This is important when working on projects that require precision, such as cutting a piece of wood to a specific size.
- Finally, using a featherboard can help protect your hands from the saw’s blade. This is because the featherboard will help keep your hands further away from the blade.
Safety considerations when using a featherboard:
There are a few safety considerations to keep in mind when using a featherboard:
Be sure to keep your hands away from the blade.
Use a push stick if necessary.
Make sure that the featherboard is securely attached to the table saw.
Position the featherboard so that it does not interfere with the operation of the blade.
Conclusion:
Featherboards are handy tools to have in your woodworking arsenal. They can be used to hold the stock against the fence on a table saw or help keep a workpiece against the miter gauge on a saw or router.
We’ve shown you how to use a featherboard on your table saw in this blog post. We’ve also discussed some of the benefits of using a featherboard and provided some tips for setting them up correctly.