Using A Featherboard

Because of the angled orientation of its fingers when a featherboard is set up to apply a gentle pressure it will allow stock to move easily in the direction of the cut while all but preventing movement in reverse. Chris marshall field editor for woodworkers journal magazine takes a closer look at featherboards. Cut a 30 degree angle on one end of the featherboard blank first.
using a featherboard using a featherboard on a router table

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Heres how to use a featherboard.

Using a featherboard. Commercial featherboards are sold by woodworking supply stores and online retailers but many woodworkers make their own featherboards by cutting a series of kerfs into one side of a flat board cut at an angle on one end. Using a featherboard is much safer than trying to hold a workpiece against the fence by hand during rip cuts. This video is an accompaniment to an article i wrote for the june 2009 issue of popular woodworking magazine. If you do not have a bevel you can merely measure more than 3 inches from each edge of the 30 degree miter cut and make a pencil mark.

The above image is a 18 server with featherboard 3 the above image is a 112 server with featherboard 4 running antiflickerv2 beta healthbar featherboard 4 anti flicker v3 compatible working together. The safest way to make featherboards is on the bandsaw using a simple sled with a miter slot runner. If youre using a manufactured featherboard it likely will just slide into the miter groove on your tablesaw if its a homemade featherboard you will just place it on the table position the tool with the angled end pointed in the feed direction. Mark a line 3 inches in from the mitered end of the board parallel to the 30 degree mitered cut using a bevel or a layout square.

Using a featherboard also offers safety benefits. The video focuses on featherboards and push sticks and the article covers a broader. This will serve as the stop line when youre cutting the fingers of the featherboard on the table saw. Why you should use them what some of your options are and where to learn more about them.