Using push sticks/devices

[thintz]

I learned early on that having something between my hands and the blade (or any cutter) was a very good idea. Later on I discovered that if you choose correctly, those safety devices can actually provide a better grip or more control over the wood as you move it through a saw or other machine.

See the link below for my full story on Using Push Sticks, including why I do not like the simple notched-end push sticks that come with many table saws.

Using Push Sticks Story


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[Patrick]

Another favorite push device in my shop is the push block, normally associated with jointers. The rubber pad on the bottom often provides a better grip on flat stock in addition to removing your hands from the immediate area of the cutter. Another thing I like about these blocks is being able to walk long stock through the table saw, jointer or router table with a hand-over-hand sequence using two blocks. Most push blocks have a molded handle that affords a good grip while adding a little distance between you and the cutters. The handle is often angled slightly to keep your hand clear of the fence. I also use these push blocks on the router table when working with small stock because of the control they give while keeping my fingers removed from the bit.

[Seamus]

I made a some push sticks from 3/4" ply to a pattern supplied by INCRA with their hingecrafter system, and use them on jointer and tablesaw all the time now and have found they are excellent when jointing long stock in conjunction with a rubber soled push block as mentioned by Patrick, works great.

[thintz]

It seems that the more we talk about good push devices, the more people try them and find out that they actually work very well. I think most of the better designs work far better than the bare hand, like the jointer-type rubber-soled push blocks. I think they have more traction than my hand and give me more control. Of course they also put another level of protection between me and the cutters so that is a win-win situation!

[Beezlebub]

My Rigid jointer came with a pair of rubber soled push blocks and work fine. I made a notched push stick for the table saw and band saw for those "too close for comfort" times.

[Natick64]

I find the GRRipper push block adds a great deal of safety at both the table saw and router table.

[muddy]

I also use the push blocks that came with my jointer for all my other machines.
They grab nice and keep my fingers out of the way.