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Push stick choices and safety

3K views 20 replies 16 participants last post by  Underdog 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
I posted up some push "shoes" in the project section. Someone just commented that about 40 yrs ago a cabinet maker gave him the idea of using an awl as a push stick. He said he's been using it since then. He asked if it was a good or bad habit. I'm thinking not good. Less control and not safe because| of the metal. Seems like the wood could still pivot under the awl and bind between the fence and blade too. I'm thinking that if you have to ask if it's safe, it's probably not. What say you?
 
#3 ·
NO! NO! NO! First, there is a SHARP metal blade, spinning TOWARD the table saw user at an average speed of TEN miles per hour. (A little fact I learned several years ago) A TS blade having teeth, it is designed to EAT things. Second, there is a long, sharp, pointed object being pushed TOWARD, or INTO if you like, the spinning blade. How in Hell anyone thought this was a GOOD idea is incomprehensible. Talk about an accident WAITING to happen. Anyone following this practice almost HAS to have a cool nickname, like "Lefty", "Stubby", "Squint" or some such. This would only be acceptable in a cartoon, with predictable results.
 
#4 ·
NO! NO! NO! First, there is a SHARP metal blade, spinning TOWARD the table saw user at an average speed of TEN miles per hour. (A little fact I learned several years ago) A TS blade having teeth, it is designed to EAT things. Second, there is a long, sharp, pointed object being pushed TOWARD, or INTO if you like, the spinning blade. How in Hell anyone thought this was a GOOD idea is incomprehensible. Talk about an accident WAITING to happen. Anyone following this practice almost HAS to have a cool nickname, like "Lefty", "Stubby", "Squint" or some such. This would only be acceptable in a cartoon, with predictable results.

- olegrump
TEN? Try 100 mph.
 
#8 · (Edited by Moderator)
I like it. Good performer!
The handle keeps your hand high enough out of the way,
the foot is long which helps hold down the material good,
and the boot at the end has good length.

Wood Wood stain Hardwood Creative arts Flooring

THIS IS MY PUSH STICK/BLOCK i find for myself i have the best control in this style :<))
takes a super genius to use an awl or a nail LOL

- GR8HUNTER
 

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#10 ·
My biggest concern, one I just ran into this week, is cutting a bevel on a vertical piece and holding that against my tall vertical fence.
I have yet to come with what I feel as a safe method to hold and push the work at the same time.
 
#12 ·
My biggest concern, one I just ran into this week, is cutting a bevel on a vertical piece and holding that against my tall vertical fence.
I have yet to come with what I feel as a safe method to hold and push the work at the same time.
Maybe something like a tennoning jig?

And I can't imagine pushing with anything metal. All of my push sticks have hit the blade at some point.
 
#19 ·
theart, I have a tennoning jig but I was cutting a 15° bevel on a 36" board and my jig would have run of the end of my saw.
My first thought was a router bit but the closest I had was 11.25° and if I do this again I will buy a 15° bit!
Definitely an easier way to go!
 
#20 ·
theart, I have a tennoning jig but I was cutting a 15° bevel on a 36" board and my jig would have run of the end of my saw.
My first thought was a router bit but the closest I had was 11.25° and if I do this again I will buy a 15° bit!
Definitely an easier way to go!

- oldnovice
Now I see what you mean. I think the last time I did something like that I clamped a long featherboard to the table with a block underneath it to reach right over the blade.
 
#21 ·
One of the first stories I ever read about table saw accidents was about a girl who was used to using a screw driver as a "splitter" when the wood closed up on the far side of the blade. As she passed the screwdriver to a friend, she accidentally dropped the screwdriver. The screwdriver was thrown out of the blade, struck the girl, and she was killed.

You can draw your own conclusions as to whether you'd use an awl as a push stick.

I'd not do it.
 
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