This simple jig will give you much better cuts. Essential woodworking shop project.
Don’t forget, all of the plans and videos in this series are in one place and free over at myshopjigs.com
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Items mentioned in this video:
Miter slot expandable jig kit: amzn.to/3tdSzHd
Magnetic hold-downs: amzn.to/2Re5Uls
Rip fence clamps: amzn.to/3uetayq
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One of the fundamentals of getting good, accurate cuts is keeping your workpiece stable as you’re running it through a tablesaw or a router table.
And the key concept to always keep in mind is applying three directions of support for every cut. A board needs to be pressed down to the table, forward through the saw, and against a fence. A wandering, unstable board can lead to poor, inaccurate cuts, or worse, pose a safety issue. And all of this needs to be done with your fingers out of the way of spinning blades.
Usually, a push stick and a push block can provide sufficient pressure and support. But sometimes, it’s not possible to provide pressure against the fence or against the table. This is where a featherboard comes in.
For instance, if I want to rip a long board, I might not be able to reach the table in order to apply pressure against the fence as I feed the board through the saw.
Lock a featherboard in place to provide constant pressure where it’s needed, just in front of the blade.
The way a featherboard works is that it has a bunch of flexible teeth that allow a board to slide in one direction only.
There’s just one rule to keep in mind when using a featherboard on a tablesaw. Always position it in front of the blade, before the cut. If you position it even with the blade or behind it, it won’t be applying pressure against the fence, but rather the saw blade itself. This will do nothing to improve your cut and can cause the board to pinch the blade, making it an unsafe cut.
On a router table, you can position the featherboard directly toward the bit, since it doesn’t cut all the way through the wood.
Once you have a featherboard, you’ll find specific uses on a case-by-case basis as the need arises. Use it any time you think the board might not be fully supported.
Naturally, there are all kinds of featherboards you can buy, but making your own is simple, inexpensive and fun.
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Chapters:
0:00 Why you need a featherboard
2:25 What wood to use
2:57 Making a simple featherboard
5:08 Miter slot options
10:28 The fancy version
12:22 Using the featherboard vertically
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Learn how to get started woodworking and set up shop for less than $1000. Download my FREE GUIDE ► theweekendwoodworker.com/tww-...
***
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#woodworking #shopjig #shopproject
I was just thinking today how much I miss daily Steve!
your not the only one,when i saw the video in my timeline the first thought that popped into my head was "where the hell has Steve been,has he been on vacation and forgot to tell us?" lol
Exactly, love your teaching and sense of humor.
It was always the best part of my day
Yes, miss it a lot as well!
Great, I missed the longer videos. Thank you
Glad to see you back Sir, you have been sorely missed.
He had to save up. Those two pieces of scrap pine were $50 each! 😂
@@jakeschroeder1553 Hi Jack, Oddly enough saw an online article about the timber shortage in North America and how it is being artificially generated by the suppliers to jack up the prices, photos showed railway depots full of timber being held there instead of being shipped, photos could have been old or stock, article could have been nothing more than BS, who knows but if it is true, it is a crime, thankfully we have had no increase in the price of timber here in Britain, take care.
I hope all is well. We missed you.
Definitely enjoy these longer videos of watching you work rather than the shorts.
It may be wrong to say, but I completely agree with you Jamson.
Yes! 100 times! This!
@@woodworksbygrampies1284 I mean, part of the niche of his videos is that he's got good charisma and personality and mix that in with his skill and experience, 45 second videos don't cut it! And though, it's geared towards beginner woodworking, it'd be great to see him take on some complex projects and flex that big brain of his! haha
Hello, I'm Mike and I've recently got into woodworking and I stumbled across your videos. They are very useful and I will be building a few of your projects. I like the feather boards and really like the push block! It awesome that you are finding cheap ways to make useful tools. It really helps newcomer's like myself get going on projects that would be difficult without these very useful tools!!! Thank you so much, and can't wait to watch more!!! Happy building!!!😁
The sped up video of sanding inside the slot made me think of velcroing sandpaper to an old Sawzall blade.
i just want to says thanks for not playing music in the background. there’s so many vids that’s do this and it’s difficult to hear sometimes especially if one older or just bad hearing . ask me how i know . 😅
I was delighted to see the “extra fancy” graphic!😄
I get what you were doing Steve but you’d make an excellent infomercial actor. 😂
Thanks for the depth you went to regarding the hold-down methods. So many times a video maker just glosses over such details.
This detail is what makes him one of the best! I appreciate that as well KD.
Not a #short, I'll watch that!
Yeah! All hail the landscape mode! 😎
Looks as if there were a lot of people being happy to see a new video from WWMM. I started thinking "I have not seen a video from Steve in a while, I hope he is ok."
Extra long, extra fine and extra fancy. Extra good video.
Win! Win! And win!!! Very true Penny.
One thing scroll saw work taught me. Put a full layer of packing tape down on a board before using spray adhesive. When you are done cutting it makes pulling the template off quick and easy.
It’s been waaaaaaaay too long since we’ve had a proper Steve video. I was having withdrawals.
Steve, where have you been? I've been jonesing for your videos. I had to watch old ones. 🤣
yay another installment from one of my favorite channels; thanks for your hard work
So true Robert, he's one of the best.
That feather board is more perfect than anything I’ve ever made.
I really like how he went through all the different bolting options.
Was missing you Steve. Nice feather in the cap
I miss your pallet wood projects.
This looks like a good Saturday morning project for me to tackle. Thanks Steve
Just my two cents but you can make the screw and expanding wood runner work if you just use a cutting wheel on a Dremel or a 1/16" cutting disc on an angle grinder and just touch the screwhead on two opposite outside edges on the underside of the bugle very lightly. It just takes a few seconds and creates just enough of a burr for it to catch. The real issue for me with the DIY expanding wood runner is that they tend to break and crack fairly easily with enough tension to keep the feather board stable in the slot.
The legend returns
Thank you for this video. I just bought my first table saw and using these will save my fingers Haha. I also went back and watch all your safety tips on using tables saw. You are like the Bill Nye of the wood world.
I see you setting up for the Halloween video.. YES!
I must have missed that... love the Halloween vids.
Excellent. Now I must get to the shop and get busy.....
Steve, I retired from the military after 31 years of service. I have always wanted to learn woodworking as my hobby but was unsure of how to begin. I stumbled across your videos and have appreciated your teaching. I have a long way to go but I’m having fun learning and I’m doing it a lot more safely! Thanks again, I really enjoy your teaching and your encouragement!
I have nothing to say really, but I appreciate your content, and wish to help with the yt-algorithms.
A standard length video! Welcome back - we missed you!!!!
I like the fancy one!
S T E V E!!! You can't do this to us. I hope you and the family are all well. I see you post the shorts and that let's me know you are there and assume all is OK. As you can read below, we do get concerned when you are not there for a while. GREAT video, packed with lots of information. Thanks for sharing this, looking forward to the next video.
Man Steve, I wish I could hand sand as fast as you! Ha ha ha ha! One of your best, helpful videos for me in a while
I used to subscribe years ago, but left because of all the unnecessary, unrelated, and nonsensical talk. But after running across this one, I'll subscribe again. The video was clear, informative, and all your comments were relevant to the project. Good one - hope all of them are as focused and well done.
Always has been and always will be one of the best things to happen to KZhead and one of the biggest reasons YT is what it is... Thank You Legend.
Finally. Glad to have you back ... Been having Withdrawal Symptoms for Mere Mortals 😉
Pretty simple, but looks effective.
You are de Jigs Guy. Thanks for sharing
Yay! Finally! A real video!
Yes me too,from halfway across the globe☺️🙋 missing Steve's videos
Modified Steve’s plan to made a crosscut sled 24x14 inches for my Hitachi C10FR job site saw. Works great
Just taking a moment to thank you for making those channels with a drill and jigsaw so that those of us without a $400 plunge router don't feel left out and can still follow along. You rock!
First Comment! Glad to see more content! Thanks Steve!!
Well played indeed!
I made one of these this weekend, I like the vertical setup, any suggestions for mounting on a saw with crappy/ non-existent T-track? I was given a skill table saw and found myself trying to mount it through the holes in the top. A new saw is out of budget until my money stops growing wings 🙁💸
I got bored this morning because I wake up early and don't know how to relax so I went to all the hardware store around me and found the Grr-ripper 3D at Menards and picked it up immediately! Love your videos and couldn't resist getting it because of how highly you've talked about it.
I like that the extra fancy version has a sort of art deco thing going on. Thumbs up and thanks for posting.
Hi Steve, I just made one in twenty minutes. Awesome stuff. I will say that a wooden mitre slot lock will work. You don't need the metal one. I just tried it because my hardware store doesn't have a ton of specialty stuff with a counter sunk walnut block split on one side. It locks very firmly. Might be an easy scrap wood alternative.
Thanks will build some this week.
The return of EXTRA FANCY!
Hi Steve Thank you for the Plans
You can try a cam+nut pulling the bolt from above, for your wooden expanding lock.
Glad to have you back Steve, and just in time! I was thinking yesterday that I need to make some featherboards for my new router table.
Love these ideas. I really need a jigsaw.
This has been super helpful to me as a newbie woodworker! Also, great haircut!
Timely return Steve. Need to make featherboard(s) for my new Evolution table saw. Thank you :)
Very instructive video. One thing to add is that cutting the first (front?) finger a little shorter can speed up positioning of the board since you can place the shorter finger against the board without applying pressure making clamping it down easier.
Steve if nothing else fails at least you are always about to see me through the day and really you are the only guy on utube who give you everything for free very much appreciated from me anyway and I'm sure to the many viewers you get as well.keep up the good work keeping everyone sane in this sad times weird ourselves in. God bless Billy from Scotland.uk
Fantastic work on the video, Steve!
Aside from all of the information provided, the presentation in the video is top notch. I agree with you.
Nice to see you back Steve. No pressure to add more videos, was just wondering if you were ok. Hang in there.
Good to see you!! Thank you for sharing this information and demonstration. Very useful 👌. Love videos. Peace and good fortune and good health to you and your family and kitties 😸❤.
You have great explanations. I am very new to wood working and need a better understanding, of everything...
Hi, Steve. I'm glad to hear from you. You always have great ideas to make usefull projects and save money. Wish I have such gift. Thank you for sharing.
Full of great ideas. Thank you
Hey Stev, I took up woodworking during the lockdown up here in Ontario. The warm weather is finally arriving and I'm looking forward to getting back in to it:) I definitely would have hurt myself last year if it wasn't for your helpful videos. Thank-you so much for making and sharing them :)
Cool Idea!!!! Thank You Steve!!!! 👍😎😃
Absolutely perfect timing! I've been wracking my head with how to safely resaw a thin board for a project I'm working on. This looks like it would be just the ticket!!
Great content. Glad to see you Steve after a while.
Hey, those "scrap" pieces of plywood are worth a lot of money these days. ;-)
"Where's the fun in that?" Nailed it again, Steve. DIYers/woodworkers who buy commercial featherboards are still a puzzle to me.
I used a carriage bolt and a grinder to make two of those bolts with the ears on it. I bought a kit from Rockler and lost both of the longer bolts that came with it (so you can stack two feather boards for edge ripping taller stock). Literally just grinded down until the head looked similar to the original bolts and it worked just fine.
Lol. Was making some sloppy cuts on my table saw yesterday and just gave up.. this video has really helped show me where I was going wrong. Thank you.
Another good one Steve. All ready planning on making mine.
Been missing your regular videos. Good to see you back
Soooooo good! Love your videos. Cheers from Scotland 🏴
Thank you for this! I love these quick essential builds.
I'm going to make those today!
Always giving the best woodwork tips. Thanks, Steve!
Always look forward to seeing your videos Steve! Thanks for sharing your knowledge! :-)
This video came at the perfect time! Cheers!
Hi Steve, hey, those brass T bolts are used for toilets, that's correct but in the plumbing community they are called toilet tie down bolts (if anybody cares).
Great video Steve. I need more feather boards and didn't realise that pine works well. Thanks from South Africa!!
Fantastic, Steve! Thanks a lot! 😃 I just searched for those screws here in Brazil and found nothing... 😬 I'm eventually going to find something... But those things are difficult here. 😕 Anyway, stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊
Awesome as always Steve! Thank you!
You are rocking with all these tips! Thanks!
Terrific content! Thanks for giving us weekend woodworkers some great ideas!
Cool design! Thanks
Awesome video. Will be making these for sure. Thanks for sharing!
Love you Steeeeve ♥️⚡️
I missed you Steve. Glad to see you back doing great vids. Cheers!
Really glad to see you back, Steve! I was definitely missing my fix of WWMM and this is a great project, too!
Completely agree with you Stephen.
Great tips Steve... thanks!
super cool and simple, thank you!!!
As a newbie, very useful, have downloaded your jig plans, thanks very much.
Love your videos, and that’s why I would like to make a suggestion. Let’s start something new: calling a spade a spade. Or a “fixture”, as something to just hold something in place, vs. a “jig”, which dimensionally helps fabricate something. Here’s wha Webster’s says about both: fixture: a device for supporting work during machining jig: a device used to maintain mechanically the correct positional relationship between a piece of work and the tool or between parts of work during assembly
Thank you for full videos again!
So glad to see you back man. Love the wicker men on your wall. Thanks for the templates. Deffo makes life easier..... especially not buying any more of these.
Wow! I am new to woodworking and I LOVE this idea of a feather board! I could have used it today while I was making some cuts, but instead, I butchered what I was trying to cut and said, "To Hell with it," and went and had some Death By Chocolate ice cream instead. I also just found out about your jig site, and so I went over there as well and downloaded those plans! I love your channel, Steve, and look forward to watching them all! Thanks for all of your fantastic videos! Have a most excellent weekend!!
this is classic and very helpful, thank you for sharing!!
Interesting, thx for shearing :>
I literally just thought of making a few of this. Thank you very much!
Nicely explained and demonstrated as usual. Thanks, Steve.