Best push sticks | Commercial vs Homemade | How to make with templates
In this video, I’ll show you some of the best push sticks including both commercial push stick options as well as homemade push sticks and push blocks too. I’ll also show you how to make a push stick using push stick templates. Get the push stick plans below!
►PUSH STICK TEMPLATES
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►COMMERCIAL PUSH STICKS (affiliate links):
· Grr-ripper by MicroJig amzn.to/3Is66DG
· Grabber by Milescraft amzn.to/3ds2Zxf
· Grr-rip block by MicroJig amzn.to/31E8Exu
· Hedgehog push block amzn.to/3xY8FJ1
· V-notch push stick amzn.to/3DtxehW
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· Light adhesive spray amzn.to/3IpnxVx
· Plastic spreader amzn.to/3InkEEB
· Bandsaw blade amzn.to/3lEQxyI
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· Revo Jr parallel clamp amzn.to/3dsh4Ll
· Mirka sanding system amzn.to/351wVNV
· Oscillating spindle sander amzn.to/3IlpZwp
►Related Videos
John Heisz • How To Make And Use Th...
William Ng • Make Awesome Push Stic...
Steve Ramsey • How to make a push blo...
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►MUSIC
FLOW by MK2
►CHAPTERS
0:00 Intro
0:30 COMMERCIAL PUSH STICKS
1:24 #1 Grr-ripper
2:36 #2 Grabber
3:24 #3 Grr-rip block
4:07 #4 Hedgehog pusch block
5:18 HOMEMADE PUSH STICKS
5:26 #1 Vertical handle
5:54 #2 45 degree handle
6:28 #3 “The Rabbit”
7:08 #4 William Ng design
7:30 MAKING PUSH STICKS WITH TEMPLATES
8:59 MAKING DIY PUSH BLOCK
11:31 Wrap up
Push Stick Templates available here: www.diymontreal.com/product/push-sticks-printable-templates-4-designs/
On your last push block, you could always glue a sacrificial piece on the bottom (contacting the cut piece) that could be removed and replaced as it gets chewed up.
I like your homemade gripper, a good way to use up scrap that would get tossed out, I think I'll go thru made waste bin and build a couple today.
I also keep my "chicken foot" push stick around, but not to use on the fence side of the blade. I often have it in my left hand and use it to maintain pressure against the fence at the beginning of the cut when I'm not using a featherboard. I use it at the end of the cut to clear the offcut piece so I'm not tempted to reach over or put my hand near the blade at any time.
I LOVE HOW YOU EXPLAINED EVERYTHING!!! THANK YOU FOR THE PLANS!!! I ENJOY YOUR BUILDS!!! I'm new at woodworking and love it when I find women explaining their work. Thank you!!!
My favorite is the last home made one. Make 2 or 3 at a time and I will be set! Great video and push stick ideas, thanks for posting!!
The gripper is a really good jack of all jobs. I have tried all sorts of sticks and blocks but find myself returning to my gripper. I will be buying a second one in the new year, so I can use them at the jointer too.
I make push sticks similar to the rabbit, w/o the ears and a higher back. I just make sure the back top corner is well rounded for comfort. I get good forward and downward pressure with little effort. I make several from thin ply up to 2x8 material. Thin ones for narrow cuts and wide ones for wider cuts. It keeps my hands high and at a good angle, with long support forward to keep the piece down. They're out of the way of feather boards too. When the bottom is chewed up from the blade, I make some more from scraps. I do keep a second one close by in case I need help pushing against the fence. No templates, just eyeball for what fits the scraps I have on hand.
The last push block is a nice compliment to the gripper if you need a second push block for longer material.
Great topic for woodworkers. I started using push sticks, feather boards and such for safety. Then I realized my cuts were more accurate and cleaner, so the end result of my projects started to look better and take less time.
as a hobby woodworker on a shoestring budget i LOVE that you showed hand made ones and not just the super thin ones made with $1000 tools (if i had the money for a massive bandsaw, planer, router ... i'd shell out for a gripper). Simply awesome.
I've made a number of push sticks/blocks, self built gripper which I like better than the commercial version. I'm often away from the shop and forget to bring a push stick, it's easy to build the 2x4 push block, maybe a little more refined than your for comfort and hand hold. I just screw them together and try to be mindful of how deep the saw might be cutting into them. Screwing the piece to the back makes it easy to flip over or replace. Thank you for the excellent video.
I made a vertical handle version a few years ago, 1" thick material I used an old screwdriver that I cut down as a handle, very comfortable in the hands. I can't use it for thin strips obviously but I'm usually cutting 2" wide pieces. I'm still jealous of your sawstop 😁,I'm still using my mastercraft saw with its useless floppy throat plate 🤷♂️.
Fantastic, Marie! Thanks a lot for all the tips! 😃 Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊
Love my Microjigs: the grippers and the grabbers, but also like the idea of a disposable one. Great video!
I've been thinking about getting the gripper for about 2yrs now. After watching your video, I think it would make a good Christmas present for my self. Thank you for the inspiration
I love the square one with the hole in it! Very simple and very useful! 👍
I make my own kinda like the rabbit design you call it but in different widths and I also glue coarse sandpaper to it for extra traction. Thanks for sharing some of your ideas definitely going to be making some for my shop. Keep up the great videos
Same, but I think I will pass the the top block/ handle throught the router with a 45 or profile bit so I have a nicer grip Great way to save scrap from the fireplace 😁
Thank you. Very informative. I have two Grr-rippers and use them all the time.
If you felt like maximizing the life of the last push block you could always have a stack of 3 1/2 x 1/8" "feet" ready to glue on after you nibble the bottom off the push block. I like the dowels through the handle into the base. I'd do a little extra work to keep that one around the shop.
Good stuff.... The last one looks great & I will build a few !!
Something I saw but haven't yet tried was picking up some cheap and/or old mousepads (the super thin garbage ones that come as freebies) and using spray adhesive to secure them to the bottom of push blocks (or sticks). Supposedly that gives good grabbing power. Good video; thank you.
I actually made some push pads a few years ago using mouse pads. They are decent, but the grip get slippery fast compared to the Grabbers for example. As long as you clean them off, they should work fine. Here's the old blog post: www.diymontreal.com/make-your-own-push-blocks/
the gripper was a game changer for me. well worth the price.
Great video. Clear instructions. Helpful suggestions.
Great review, Marie. The farther from the blade my hand is and the more material there is between my hand and the blade the happier I am. Don't forget that the Grr-ripper has a bridge to link two together for longer pieces. Take care. Bill
William Ellis....We think a-like. ( oh my...I feel sorry for you...lol..!! )
@@marbleman52 Let's just say great minds think alike (lol).
Did not know that, thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the informative video, not pushing one particular device, just your opinions.
I think this video honestly is very good, you mentioned all the pros and cons from your perspective without forcing them on anybody so they can choose what's best for them. In the end I think that having an assortment of push sticks is probably best. I did want to point out one thing which isn't related to the topic of the video but please do not use gloves when using power tools like you showed yourself using with the jointer, they can get caught and suck in your hands permanently damaging them if not worse. I know it's not as comfortable without gloves but it sure is a lot safer and as someone who makes youtube videos you're essentially putting videos out there to inspire people and for people to learn and copy from so I would personally prefer to not see that. Some people really underestimate the power of these tools, even a simple hand drill can break your fingers if a glove gets caught so my own simple rule is if it's a power tool don't use gloves.
Couldn’t agree more with your recommendation for the GRR Ripper. After an accident I researched many options and found this approach to be the best from PPE perspective. I’ve been using this product since the accident and will never short change safety, thanks.
Thank you so much! Just what I've been looking for!
Good breakdown of the different types!
The base model Grr-ripper is the equivalent of $75 here, which relative to what people earn is far more than the $60 it goes for in the US, but I eventually broke down and spent the money. After using it on a project I still think it is expensive, but it was very versatile and helped a lot with a number of things.
Great review/comparison of features and your preferences. I find that I most often use the flat based grabber type with the slightly angled handle among the commercial versions I have. I think i will give your 2x4 with dowel model a go next time i am making tools. It seems i could add a new bottom or plate on the back easily enough when needed, if I had trouble tossing it.
An excellent video!! It made it that much better because there wasn't any bias or favoritism.
This was concise, descriptive, and accommodating for people of all budgets. Love it! You're nowhere near as out of touch as some woodworking KZheadrs are these days.
Jay Bates also has a great push block design out of a 2x6 with excellent control and comfort
Marie I built the push block by Steve Ramsey and it works great just so long as you place the screws higher up on the back plate and not too deep you should be fine. I like the idea of only having to make the handle and replacing the block when needed. Other than that love the video and the templates that you provided.
I find the "high and narrow" push sticks so dangerous, I do not mind using the homemade 2x4-based that keep the hands lower and more stable toward the cutting base...
Wonderful, concise presentation. I like how you point out the hand positions that give you the most control, which is what we are trying to accomplish. I also see a riving knife on the saw which is a safety feature that aids in kickback prevention since the work can't move off the fence behind the blade, the primary cause of kickbacks. Thanks.
Excellent video, Marie. You covered a lot of ground in enough detail without going on and on. Personally, I love the Grrr-ipper. I bought one specifically for making thin strips but I use it almost all of the time. I still keep my saw's push stick in an easily accessible place and use it quite a bit. I would have to agree with you on the handle positioning of the homemade push sticks. The 45 degree handle seems definitely better than the 90 degree but I think I like William Ng's design even better. I'm going to have to make me some of those designs and try them out.
Cool video! I saved it to my "to make" list. Btw... love the outtakes! Keep them! 🤣
I like the homemade gripper. I’ve made and used several over the years and still haven’t spent as much as a bought grripper.great vid btw, thanks
6:44 that profile really looks like a clothes iron to me, even has the water spray spout! I really need to make some properly formed push blocks and this is a good prompt. Mostly been putting it off due to limited time and using chunks of scrap instead. I still like something similar to the standard chicken leg on hand for maintaining extra distance from the blade. Love those outtakes, Marie! Just the sort of demented jabbering I get up to when I'm alone. 🤪
Very good overview of all things push. 😁
I like your 2x4 push block, will be in the shop soon. Just going to make two or three of them at a time. Thanks again for a nice video.
I'm new to your channel as of yesterday and quickly going through all your videos. First of all, THANKS! On the topic of push sticks/blocks I'm right onboard and made one similar to the one April Wilkerson showed a while back. It's made of scrap 2x8 and has an adjustable/replaceable tailpiece. The width and length give lots of downward pressure. Thanks for the tips, reviews and templates!
Welcome aboard!
Thank you so much for sharing your ideas.
Glad you like them!
Best video on push sticks, also like your version and will try it. Subscribed. Keep up the good work!
Gonna make three or four of the 2x4 push blocks! Those are brilliantly simple. When one gets too chewed up. Just grab another.
Thank you. I like the 2x4 block. Adding a 1/4" pc of plywood to the base w dbl stick tape would provide a sacrificial member that could be easily replaced. Nah. Lots of 2x4 scrap in the shop. Maybe make a few at a time. I like having no fasteners in the blocks.. Merry Christmas
Go Marie. 😊🙋🏻♀️
Good video enjoyed it thx for sharing
Very good, thanks for sharing. I have the pushblock and it's very secure, the cool thing is that it shared several models, so it's accessible for those who can't spend a lot. Thank you and success always! Muito bom, obrigado por compartilhar. Tenho o pushblock e é muito seguro, o legal é que compartilhou vários modelos, assim fica acessível para quem não pode gastar muito. Obrigado e sucesso sempre! 🇧🇷
Excellent.
Another Great informative video. Good shop safety. I have had a Grip-rr for a while that seems to not grip like I would like it to so I just purchased the MICROJIG GRGH-040 GRR-RIPPER Gravity Heel Kit which should help with the sliding issue when pushing a board through. Making a rabbit soon from your template. Thanks!
The new grabber also has the drop downs.
Great video, thanks for the templates. 👍
My pleasure!
mis felicitaciones por su video
My Grr-Ripper came free on my birthday due to my wife's assumption that I'd lose a finger or two if she didn't buy it for me! I must say that using it does feel really safe, and I might supplement it with one of your homemade 2x4 versions for longer cuts.
Muchas gracias, saludos
Great video on push sticks. I managed to get the ones from Milescraft, they work well for me. Gripper would be nice but too expensive as not available here so have to buy from USA. On a different subject will be making some of your simple woodworking jigs.
Thank you
Being silly, I love your Devo inspired "Grip it good" 😅
😂👍
Hi Gal, the gullet in between the teeth of the saw blade need to be even or just slightly higher than the wood you are cutting. Great vid, love it. Keep it up and great day...
thanks!
wow vraiment utile merci
Just in the market for some good push pads ! I was chamfering a lot of MDF on the Router Table and wished I'd invested in a couple. Like those Grabbers - I'll see if I can get them in the UK. Great content as always. EDIT - yes I can ! 19.99 GBP ( 33.50 CAD)
Awesome! Hope you like them as much as I do.
I like the 2x4 push block. Make a handle that can be moved to another 2x4 and an end that can be changed easier and you are good to go!
Hey thanks it’s was great merry Christmas to you and other
Happy holidays!
Milescraft GrabberPro push block is 50% cheaper and has insert on the back (just like the one you made, but adjustable). The insert will get damaged pretty quickly, but you can make templates out of 1/4” MDF or plywood and replace them as they wear out.
Your pushblock is disposable or repairable. It's base can be refaced on a jointer, or a piece of ply glued to the base (& a new rear flange glued on).
I've seen videos recently where plastic push sticks when coming in contact with the saw blade shatter pulling your hand toward the blade. Particularly the ones that come with the saw. I"m making all new wooden push sticks and will dispose of all plastic ones.
The gripper is by far the best I have ever used. I will try your homemade gripper as well. The rest are a bit iffy.
To each their own! Lots of options to choose from
I like to use the chicken foot as a second push stick. I use the push block on top of the piece to push through, and the chicken foot to keep my piece square against the fence. Unnecessary, maybe, but it works for me.
That's a great method I think!
I really need to start using my push sticks more often as the last time I used my tablesaw my thumb lost a little length.
New Sub Here!!! I really love that miter station!!! The video was recommended to me by way of KZhead!!! These are great ideas!!! Thank You for the info & links!!!! I am a young pup at woodworking (1 Yr). All suggestions or ideas are always good to hear!!! Thank You Again!!!! 😁💙🤔👍😎🙂🔥🙏🤘😃
Amazing! Welcome to the hobby!
@@DIYMontreal Thank You!!! 👍
Perhaps you could do a video on Push Stick Storage - no matter what the project, I simply cannot keep track of my push sticks!
Merci bravo com dab
The standard push stick is my least favorite as well, but like you, it lives on my fence and in easy reach of either hand (magnet attached to the fence rail since my actual fence is aluminum). I use it to knock offcuts away from the blade and I've seen too many people do that with their hands (yikes). Otherwise, my Grr-Ripper blocks are almost always used. Yes, they are expensive, but worth it. I have two full ones at the saw at all times and take the time to set them up properly. Saving your hands is worth the money and time. I also have two Grr-Rip Blocks for sheet goods and use them at the jointer as well.
The price of the Gripper is $54.00 USD, so you could make 50 homemade versions of your design for that outlay. This I think is the challenge woodworking accessory companies face when trying to sell a product to woodworkers. I am going to make one of your gripper like 2 X 4 design. Bonus when you heat with wood there is no waste when it finally needs replacing.
Cheap , easy and unafraid to use is also my preference!
This video seemed a little pushy. Just kidding, see what I did there?! Great topic Marie it’s one that doesn’t generally get a ton of attention. I will say that long skinny push stick does work well at the band saw. For me at least. I agree though I wouldn’t use that one at the table saw unless it was all I had.
I found a Chinese made GR-Ripper for
Have you tried Milescraft 3404 PushStick? It's much cheaper than Hedgehog's version. I have it and use it often for thin rips.
Sweetest Woodworking Lady, I enjoy following you and seeing all your videos. Just off topic, I noticed that your table saw blade slightly kicks back the piece on the right side, indicating that a minor alignment is required. God bless you and Merry Christmas and Happy new year to you, your family and followers. very old fan. "Edit" I liked the homemade push sticks especially the Rabbit and the push block
Indeed, hadn't noticed it but I see it now that you mention it. Will look into that, thanks!
The homemade block would be good for the router table so it doesn’t get chewed up. Glue some non-slip to the bottom.
Good tip on sticks, glad yo see again. Btw how do you like the Rikon band saw I have my eyes on it.
I'm enjoying the Rikon very much. So far no complaints
Italia grazie 👏👏👏👍👍🙋
I picked up a Gripper a year or 2 ago, and no kidding. 3rd cut I made with it, I managed to run the blade right through that middle part because I wasn't paying close enough attention to where the blade was in relation to the pads. Haha.. still works fine, but it's got some damage. Felt like such an idiot.
You are not alone in having done that.
Time and effort making a good push stick (or block) is well spent if you're going to be making several cuts that are likely to tire you out. Fatigue is your enemy when trying to work safely. If it's a tricky or potentially dangerous milling operation take the time to make it safer.
Nice video, especially enjoyed it since I never use a pushstick myself.
the best push for me is the one I can find near by.
Hello, Just starting out as a diyer, what are your thoughts on the milescraft grabberpro 3406? I do like the MicroJig but it's kinda pricy. Thanks David
Just got my hands on the GrabberPRO today. Hope to test it out and post about it on Instagram soon.
I too am interested in the Grabber Pro, but have found that while Lowes, Rockler and Woodcraft carry a wide range of Milescraft products, they do NOT carry the Grabber Pro. Also, 3M makes a sandpaper holder that looks remarkably like the regular grabber, and it's about $13, at Home Depot search "3M 3-1/4 in. x 8-3/4 in. Drywall Hand Sander Model# DRHS-008" . The rubber is nowhere near as grippy (it's just to provide a semi-flexible backing for the sandpaper) but it's very solid, the handle removes with a little difficulty, and I could see using it for a variant of your last DIY, using Nylon screws in the wood (just in case.) For grippiness the 3M SafetyWalk tape is very grippy, I put some on one side of my torpedo level and it stays against the wall easily. You can also buy Festools grippy tape that goes on their tracksaw tracks, I bought some today at Woodcraft for $30, it's an inch wide and you get 10 meters so can do a lot of things with it. That said I really like the SafetyWalk and am going to try that first.
The homemade push stick will also not engage your SawStop break the way plastic will. And while the don’t have the angles handle, a grout float is a great inexpensive option for a push pad.
Plastic won’t trigger the sawstop brake, it’s not conductive.
All very good if your in your own workshop. However, if your working in a shop where you are regularly visited by the company imperial probe droid with his clipboard, you have to install and maintain guards which renders most of these push sticks completely useless. Especially if your machining thin stock.
0:34 The included push stick allows me to never have my hands parallel to any part of the blade during the entirety of the cut
I think your homemade push block should have a taller handle. Also I have seen push-blocks [on Youtuve of course] with sandpaper glued to the bottom, to simulate the rubber bottoms.
So what's the purpose of featherboards?
your final push block can be easily refreshed to minimize work/effort... once it's cut up beyond safe usability, you goto the band saw or the table saw and resaw the block to get a flat face on the bottom, then a pass over the jointer or sander and then take a new block of 2x4 and joint the top face - now glue the old handle onto the new sacrificial block. With that much glue surface you won't need to add more dowel there ... add a new cleat to the back and you are good. When it gets chewed up again, rinse and repeat. If anyone wants to get fancy - Fisher of Fisher's Shop has a fancy push block along the shape of the modified John Heintz stick combined a little bit with the rabbit and which is designed to quickly replace the sole once chewed up kzhead.info/sun/hdtwotmsjH2on6c/bejne.html and there is this one from Next Level Carpentry, kzhead.info/sun/a8xtf66An4V-a3k/bejne.html
How do you like your mirka sander. Real opinion please no bs!
No I can't use my MicroJig right out of the box. Nobody talks about needing a low profile riving knife to use it. My riving knife is considerably higher than the blade.