7 Comments

Good post Paul.

I never fancied the large pushers like the griper.
When a pusher require setup to do anything with it it becomes a burden in my opinion.

I bought some plastic push stick from HF early I have not used them for years, since I started using the push shoe.

Nice post. Thanks for the good info. It agrees with my impressions of the commercial push sticks.

Paul,

We tend to agree with you. I don’t use anything but my hand in much the same way as you do. For a long, narrow piece that I am ripping, I use a featherboard and hold the piece being cut with my right hand a few inches back from the blade and push with my left hand. When it gets toward the end, I use the push stick for the last few inches that pass the blade. I made a pusher that straddles the fence for narrow strips. I like how it works; it’s just three pieces of scrap glued together. I need to make a few shoes like yours.

L/W

I’ve always wondered why anyone would pay a high price for one of those commercial type pushers when they are so easy and quick to make in the shop.

You and use a similar method, I always put my end 2 fingers over the fence and I never really use the push style. I even have the “Rigid” one that came with the saw in a drawer already. My shoe style stick is needing replacement soon, when my son gets home from Alberta I will get him to make another, sentimate really. Great article Paul.

I also use the “Fingers Over the Fence” method, most of the time. I have a push board similar to the one you made. Have made 100’s of them over the years. Never made a push stick. One come with my DeWalt table saw, but I usually only use it as a “Feather Board” while using my push board.

Looked at the “Gripper” online (I think that’s what it’s called) and was amazed at the complexity and cost. Guess enough people by them to keep them on the market. ???

No matter what one uses, it should keep one safe.

Thanks Paul