1 year later - still love your push block. Im a big fan of gluing two of them together, whether that is 1.25" or 1.5" thick. A thicker push block feels a lot more stable.
As an American carpenter I have come to appreciate the metric system for its for simplicity ...makes adding or subtracting dimensions so much easier, dividing or multiplying for layout, finer adjustments, etc...it also leaves fewer un-caught mistakes to be made. I use it on layout when units aren't as important as accuracy.
Richard Florence here in Australia we were smart enough to change our currency on 14 feb 1966 and in 1970 we changed to the metric system I also was a carpenter at the time of the change and I can tell you it was the smartest thing your government ever did.
Back in mid 70's - Jimmy Carter days - USA was talking about going to the metric system. Sure wish we had done that. I too use metric in my USA shop when ever possible. By the way. I know what I am doing tomorrow in my shop. Making these push sticks.......
I made a set of these push blocks 6 months ago and they are my go-to finger preservers. Thank you so much for your kindness in putting the plans on here for free. That was very kind of you
I made this following the plans, and it was slightly small for my hand. I enlarged the template by about 20% and made a new one. AWESOME!!! I love this push stick better than my others and use it constantly now. What I really love is how it automatically pushes down on the front of the board. It’s truly a great design, and I thank you for it. I painted it yellow so it wouldn’t disappear on me and glued in a couple rare-earth magnets so I could store it on the saw. It’s a great tool. Thanks again!
This looks like a really well thought out design, I'm going to give it a try. Thanks for making it available for free, you may save many injuries. You make a very good point, which I hope many viewers have taken on board: Safety devices have to be easily accessible. I really appreciate it when woodworkers share why they did something a certain way, rather than just showing how. As we say downunder "Good on ya"
Pro tip on that blowout from the forsner bit: Instead of drilling till the spur shows through, drill a 1/8" pilot hole all the way through the piece first. Then drill 1/3 to 1/2 of the way through from the first side. When you flip the piece, there will still be enough meat there to keep allow the bit to start cleanly without the material collapsing. AWESOME push block design, I'm definitely gonna try it!
You know, the stupid thing is I JUST used that technique on the dowel jig video and then completely forgot about it for this one 🤦♂️ 😂 that definitely would have been the right procedure
I built your design and I really like it. I have an upgrade in the fabrication. For cutting out the interior, go ahead and drill out the center holes. Then go to the bandsaw, cut in from the rear and cut out the interior part. You now have a narrow slit in the rear. Add some glue and clamp the slit shut. The interior is now done, go on and finish the part.
As an engineer I must work in both imperial and metric measurements, a 1 inch shaft doesn't fit a 25mm hole. The more you use both systems, the easier it gets, and, like speaking two languages, converting from one to the other is automatic and natural.
A point well made! The two systems each have their strengths and weaknesses so I just use the most suitable system for the job in hand. Most criticism of whichever system seems to come from people who don't understand it.
A small rare earth magnet on the side of the drill press will hold the chuck key, easy as. Applies to lots of other tools and accesories as well. Give it a go. Thanks for the design on the push sticks as well. Good thinking.
This is mostly unrelated, but I've used the masking tape and super glue trick many times and never once had an issue from not using accelerator. I just apply the glue, put the pieces together and hold then for, like 10 or 15 seconds. And then I can immediately start template routing or whatever. I mean, use the accelerator if you want, theres nothing wrong with using it. It probably does help bring all of the glue to full strength faster than not having it. But in my opinion, it's not necessary and just another thing to have to buy (it ain't cheap) and keep around the shop. Even without the accelerator I usually have a hell of a time prying the pieces apart, no chance of slipping. And if I did want to make an argument against the accelerator, I'd say leaving it out gives you a little bit more time to slide the pieces around if you don't place it right immediately. And by "a little bit more time" I mean probably 3 seconds more time.
Totally agree with you Matt! Sometimes my ADD gets the best of me though and that extra 3 seconds of wait time is just unbearable. Other times, I wish I hadn't used the accelerator because now I'm stuck with misaligned pieces haha
You’re right- there is a push stick design for every day of the year. I totally agree about accessibility; I would add to that, easy to make; some of the designs I have seen would take so long to make; a push stick is a consumable; if you regard it as precious (because it took so long to make), then you might not use it. A step to making them easier to make regularly might be to make a master out of thinner plywood or mdf. Refine that and use it as a template for all others. I accept that you would need to hand cut the sharp angles where the stick meets the timber to be cut.
Like you, I've had a number of push sticks in my shop, some worked good, some were an abysmal failure, but most were just OK. I was really intrigued with your design, so I downloaded your plans and had a look. Since the design was simple, I decided to see if I could reproduce it on my CNC. I converted your pdf plan to jpeg and imported into my CAD software (Vectric VCarve) and removed everything except the outline. Worked like a charm. I can now batch these out for friends and family in an afternoon, plus I can easily change the size if necessary. Thanks for a great design! Paul
Really like the thought you put into these, and how you addressed your idea of pushing vs "pulling". Very much like the concept of your hand still being behind the wood when the cut is all but finished.
I’m glad he acknowledged the the metric/imperial situation. Many of us Americans are well aware of the advantages & superiority of the metric system but our tools & supplies aren’t generally set up that way so for the time being, we’re all stuck with it.
I'm a Gen-Xer, and was taught both in elementary US classes, we were told imperial was going away. I sometimes cheat and use metric in private. Don't tell any one else, they might come for me.
We adapted to metric, I don't know why the need to change but I myself use Imperial except on a rare occasion in woodwork only if I need or want to and only because the metric is on the ruler or measuring tape but I still find myself looking at the inches to give myself a mental view on the length. The same with miles and kilometers or when shopping I used to Ounces, Pounds and stones but items in shops show only grams and kilogrammes. I'm in my 60s and unable to figure out these stupid changes. I like the push stick designs you made and only starting out in woodwork but looking at your design I'm going to try and make two of these, one to push the timber and the other to guide the timber from the side not using pressure so the wood glides along smoothly. I love the idea you showed using them on the band saw. The design of the push stick when held allows safe pushing, the length of it allows better grip on the wood you are pushing and with the distance you hold the stick from the opposite end lends weight and pressure to keep the wood firm on the table saw automatically without having to apply it and you only need to balance and lock your wristband hand in position to keep the pressure on the wood. Great job
I haven't read all the comments so far (some yours). But I am very impressed by how many you have responded to. I know you may not always have the time to do this. Even so, thank you for being so genuine and caing about the rest of us (or at least making a good show of it :-) ).
Wow, thank you! I try, but it does become difficult at times. I assure you, it's genuine, I really do want to help grow a community here and I want my fellow Craftswrights to be safe, successful, and happy :)
Always good to see new designs and sharing. A couple of suggestions: 1. Spray the 77 adhesive on the back of the paper, not the wood, to avoid sticky wood surfaces in subsequent steps. 2. Double sided tape is easier and cleaner than the CA and tape method. You can also just tape the edges together. (That's how I do rocket fins). I like the thinking behind the design.
Thanks for the tips Randy, I don't know why I've never thought of spraying it on the template, seems kind of obvious now haha. I might need to find some different double sided tape. The stuff I have in my shop is carpet tape and it's so friggin sticky that it makes a bigger mess for me than the CA & tape method. Any recommendations?
@@Craftswright I use the double sided tape that looks like regular masking tape. It's usually about 1/2" wide and often used for mounting pictures, but is more than strong enough to keep boards together for cutting and sanding. Frankly, though, I find it's very easy to just tape the edges together and add another piece when you cut it off when finishing. Although it takes more setup, using a trim bit in the router cleans up those edges very quickly without using the rasp. It works nicely to make a template out of MDF and then use that for marking cutouts and as an edge for trimming.
Love this design~!! These push sticks are about to take over my shop like Tribbles on the Enterprise in a Quadrotriticale bin~! ;-) I had an unfortunate incident years ago (90's) where my push stick splintered when hitting the table saw blade. That was when Mr. Left Pointer-Finger met Mr. Spinning Steel Blade. Wasn't pretty. I had no idea at that time that this event would later result in my wife's insisting on my purchase of a SawStop. I'd love to have the intact finger and have just bought the SawStop because I "wanted to", but it is what it is. Best machine I've ever used, even if it didn't have the flesh tech~!! Thanks for the free design~!!
Hahaha I love the color you put in your story Andrew, but I am sorry to hear about the finger. I'm hoping to get the SawStop before I have the missing digit to help convince the misses 😬. Also love the Trek reference 🖖 Cheers and Prosper brother!
I made two of them right after watching this video. Easy enough. I had to change up a little since I don’t have such a large bit. Worked out well though. Work nice. I still will keep my push & hold 1/4 in ply stick for those times I need a narrow push stick. Thanks for the plans.
it's good you are improving safety with your design of the push block. Having the guard over the blade would be another great safety feature. The makers supplied one with the saw when it was new after all. But there again I worked as a safety consultant and would always strongly recommend having the guards fitted. I live in the UK and if you had a saw in a commercial shop unguarded you would risk quite heavy fines.
Hello, I have made one pusher based on your design and it’s incredibly easy to use and I feel quite safe. Thank you for making it available for free. Very nice and much appreciated gesture of yours. Very generous contribution to woodworking. Stay safe!
LOVE the presentation!! (and tool design) Watching someone do great work with inexpensive power tools is important for aspiring woodcrafters to see. Not everyone can afford Festool, etc., but can still get very satisfying results. Thank you for generously sharing. 👍👍
This is hands down the best design i have come across. I too have been wanting those key features in a stick but have not been able to find the perfect one that suits my needs. Until i came across your video. Absolute genius idea to incorporate all the safety features with the double sided and easy to hang up and hold style. It looks incredible too, and i havent even seen the spaceship movie you mentioned it resembles. Another thing i must mention, is i thank you for not claiming on yt that this is the “best stick ever” as so many people have done so. You designed your push stick to suit your needs, shared your design and thought process on yt and it just so happens to have all the features and unique styling i have been waiting for. So thank you again for this quality vid. After around 8x watching it I ought to start on mine tomorrow.
Lovin it. Don't want to sound like a wimp, but for me, the table saw is the scariest power tool in the shop here in the continuing care community where I live. I've seen one finger episode, and one of my coworkers got a nasty bruise over his sternum from a kick back. We have a "help, I'm bleeding" button in the shop, but sometimes I'm all alone and I really appreciate safety devices like this! I will be 84 in August, and I plan to keep all the appendages I still have fit the long haul.
I'll switch to metric when the clocks do. Not only is 12 > 10, but it has more factors, and the factors and multiples are more intuitive to use visually and for geometry without resorting to calculators and machines.
Having built many push sticks/blocks over the years, I thought there was no way to improve the design. Happily, I was wrong. Time to make some new ones! Well done!
@@Craftswright Mine will likely be nowhere near as nice looking or finished. And I will probably make them out of scrap 3/8" or 1/2" cabinet ply. That way I don't tear up the heel as quickly when making rips under 3/4" I treat them as expendable, so no need to make them fancy. Function over form this time.
I made one of these today. The paper template made it pretty easy. One thing, though...Mattias (I think) suggested that all push sticks should be painted red to remind people of the danger. The paint is now drying...Thanks!
Great design! Love the idea that it can just "hang around" close by because of the hole. I've been a carpenter/woodworker for many years and know a good idea for the shop/jobsite when I see one. Well done and many thanks!
I had the same issue as you but my homemade stick is a bit bulky. Thanks for sharing your design. It's just what I need. I'm a newbie and retired of my tablet saw. But I Never remove the blade cover. It's easy enough to find another way to make the cut safely. Safety First. Kind regards Cindy.
I DID download the push block plans. (Kinda cool how the product of your brain winds up glued to wood in a Tennessee shop.) I find your design great to use for precisely the reasons that you mentioned. I would like to suggest one small additional operation to the fabrication. In addition to using a round over bit on the inside of the block, I also rounded over the outside, but only on the back "handle" area. A bit better feel in my opinion. THANKS!
Just tore up one of my lightweight push sticks of my own design. I'll try yours which look interesting. Thanks for sharing your well thought out design. Several comments seem to indicate that trying something different, especially Metric, isn't something which would interest them. Personally, I've been thinking about getting some Metric devices and making the switch myself - it's just so much easier to work in. And I'm saying this after having worked in a mixed Engineering department for nearly 30 years. BTW, you really caught my eye with the box of Forstner bits - just like mine. Your shop looks like a real hodge-podge, just like mine.
I'm right there with you Gary. I think the switch would be much easier for a lot of us if our tools weren't scaled/calibrated in Imperial. Once the manufacturers make the switch I think the rest of us will follow suit REAL fast haha. I'm also glad the hodge-podge came across in the video, we're all students of the craft and I'm definitely no pro, so working man tools it is for me! (for now lol)
These look great. Gonna give it a try before spending 100 on a plastic transformer pushblock. I don't expect to use the front teeth very often. Most of the time when I'm cutting stuff I find that I need to push down some to make sure the work stays flat on the cutting surface.
Thank you very much for the templates for this push stick. The design is great. I'm going to make a pair to use on my next project which is a long low cabinet shelf with lots of cutting and jointing using my table saw. I'll call them "Dracs" because... well, you know. LOL! Thanks again.
I actually just broke the push stick that came with my tablesaw the other day and was looking at available plans when my notification for this video came up. I love this design! Thanks for sharing!
Can’t get enough of your lessons, sweet! to see your sense of humour is still with you, it’s the woodworking teacher that we didn’t have that personality back in school days long ago lol.
I’ve seen a number of push stick designs on TH-cam and elsewhere. Some I liked a lot. Others not so much. This design is the only one I’ve taken the time to make...6 and counting. I haven’t actually used any yet, but I did give two to a neighbor for him to use in his shop.. Good design, good execution. All around well done!!
I just made some of these. Like you, I did two at once. I made mine out of scrap 3/4" pine which may be a mistake as I am not sure if the small notches will hold up to repeated use. Time will tell. Thanks for the design.
Great idea but I have large hands so I added an inch and from a book on box making I made a cut the flat side and ca glued it back together. I really like the idea with two slight modifications. Thanks for the idea and plan.
I love it. Clever use of the parallel planes and primary/secondary "hooks." I also lol'd several times ^_^ @Craftswright I used your design to make a 3D model, if you're interested in a printable version being made available to your viewers.. even though your design/template make it SUPER easy to make. Also you've been KILLING it with the sub count lately. Good work, my man.
Hi, I hadn't really given push sticks any thought until TH-cam started showing different designs, I always used a piece of 1x1 off cut. I really like this design and will make a set of them. Thanks for sharing
I always seem to chew up the heal (hook) area on my push blocks from using them on narrow cuts. Just a suggestion, If you were to add a small piece of hard wood screwed to the back of the push block allowing it to protrude below the shoe forming the hook you would never have to remake the body of the push block. Just screw on a new piece of hardwood.
I am greatly appreciative of this. I've just now got my new-used table saw in a functional state, and the two other tools I've got ready to use are my router and scroll saw - just enough to handle this task.
Canada is a bit of a mixed bag for measurements... We're supposed to be metric (we do use Kilometers, my passport and driver's license have my height in CMs) but you're right, most of the carpentry and building are in imperial (even my house that was built 8 years ago). It's funny when they mix them though; I needed some bolts for a project - M6 bolts - so the store had them... M6 x 3/4 inch.... Great push sick design!
Remove that chain from your chuck key. Use gel CA to bond a large neo magnet to the center hub of the quill feed lever. Store your chuck key there. No more chain getting in the way.
Thanks for the plans; looks like a nifty design to try out. I do like Jodee's design as well and just omit the holes and use a 1/8" roundover and it's still plenty comfy to hold and not tippy. Both are great designs though.
Oh for sure, none of my comments about his design were intended as knocks. I think it's a great design and I could have done a better job making it, but I am thankful that I didn't since it encouraged me to develop mine lol
Thank you, in the U.K. we now use mm, I can’t stand it when I was young we did inches n feet n I love that the USA people use it too. I’m new girl playing with wood and hubby tools n I’m kind of liking it so I’m going to attempt to make this for him or as much as I can with the tools I have.
Going to make a couple myself!!! Thanks for your smarts!!! I don't know if I care for the little catches on the front, but I'll make them and see if I ever need to use them...
Thank you for explaining the push/pull. I was just using a piece of 'tubafour' with a notch cut at the back. I am going to go with your design from now on, once I make them that is. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us.
I just wanted to say thanks for the free push stick plans. I will give it a try and get back to you. Also I will be buying some of your other items. Thanks again!
Nice surprise with the metric template as well, will make at least one or maybe a couple. I wasn't sold initially, the design looks weird but after explaining why, it seems like a good tool.
Great video with lots of useful tips and really appreciate the free plans. The fact that you took the time to also do them in metric, for those of us that only use metric and still made them available for free also earned you a subscribe. Thank you.
I just accessed the web site, to look at " the plans" for the pushstick. Only I was DENIED access to that plan? I'm very much interested in having done a print out, via PDF file, of your push stick! Only I'm not being granted access to that PDF file!? I have seen other push sticks, and they are of similar designs on some of them but yours is a very unique design. I will keep attempting in accessing that web page, I just might be granted access
Bah! You flatterer, you lol. Too many sleepless nights trying to figure it out and books read, but the style is getting there I think. You're soon to follow, the van build has been great to watch!
"It would help if I turned the dust collection on." LOL, I have been there so many times that I feel it deep in my soul. 😂 Also, "that looks very Assasins Creed, doesn't it?" dude, you're my spirit animal. 💛
Thanks so much for template! Really like it’s design. One thought that I noticed was do you have a lot of runout on your drill press? From the video I could have sworn your bit was wobbling. I also could be my eyeballs. Thanks again for the video and commentary!
It's strange, there appears to be a ton of runout when observing it run, but the holes cut clean even when the stock is clamped down securely. I'm really unsure what's going on to be honest.
At first glance I thought it was just another variation of an old solution but seeing it in action shows that this is the best DIY push block/stick out there right now! Well done and thank you! 😊🍻
interested to know if you have had any problems with your Chicago Electric jigsaw? Or with any of your Harbor Freight tools? I have a few myself... not personally impressed after seeing the inside of the orbital I bought.. the brushes were aligned on the clamshell- to the point where they fell loose and I needed to reverse engineer the tooling of the clamshell so they didn't fall out while in use! Very well thought out push stick. I like it, great work!
I almost left a message when I saw it on a recent video, but I figured this video was forthcoming based on the prototype label. I love the design. Great job and explanation!
Thanks Brett, feel free in the future to request things, it helps me keep a thumb on the pulse of the audience and what they/you want to see. Cheers brother!
That opening may let your fingers too close to the blade. I've made several push sticks kind of boot shape with the down part close to the handle high enough so that it is always above the blade teeth.
Your design has some very good and thought out elements. Thanks for making this a free download. You’ve possibly saved someone a terrible accident. I will make some of these.
Great video and design. I also like the one that Drew Fischer made and I'll me making one of these too. On another note, my personal opinion/experience with the Jig Saw, most people have problems because they try to force the tool. Even with a sharp blade, if you push to hard it will warp and bend giving you an angled cut. If you go slowly, applying just enough forward pressure, and let the blade do the cutting, you will get straighter cuts. Not perfect, but straighter. It's not a precision tool.
Dude, so cool! I mean the fact that it has super functional features is great and all but I was sold just on the fact that it is the Assassins Creed logo lol. You’ve got my sub! Now I’m going to go make a few of these.
Love the design, the only thing I would change is to bring the front of it to a little more of a point so that you have a larger cleat on both sides when pushing through.
This is awesome, you put words to a lot of the awkward I've felt with my own store bought push sticks, as well as the wide variety I see on TH-cam. Hopefully I'll remember to make some of these before my next wood based fabrication 👍
That is a very innovative push block. This is the first video of yours that I've watched and I'm impressed so new sub here. I downloaded the plans and will try it out. Thanks man.
Not Star Wars, Star Trek. Looks a little like a Bajoran phaser. Great design. I like that it's sort of minimalist - not a lot to it, nothing fancy or complicated - yet it's very flexible and can adapt to a lot of situations. I've always wondered, though - what is the advantage of using the tape+CA technique over simply using double-sided tape?
I have a push block, and I've been planning to make a new one, but I'm lazy of making another one because it's just going to be the same. That's a pretty cool and good design, I think I might gonna do this one. Thanks for sharing my friend. New subscriber here.
Thanks and great design -- have the plans but do not see any dimensions apart from the forstner bits - long long L to R and Top to Bottom please do you suggest? Tks
Hey Graham, it's roughly 10" long by 5.5" wide. My best suggestion would be to print the template in landscape orientation and make sure that "do not scale" is selected. Really the dimensions don't matter that much, if you're a little smaller or a little bigger the block will still work. Hope that helps! 😊
Nice design! Im gonna make this. One question: Making this thin, with one plywood, is not scary your hand fall? I mean: The stick bends to the side and leads The hand to the table. When I saw you making two, I thought you gonna make a wider one to make more stable.
Love this! Makes so much sense and I love your reasoning on why you designed it so. Will be making myself one asap. My first watching your content. I shall be back! Many thanks.
So i'd recommend making one out of 1/4" MDF first. Then only use it as a router template. Then batch out 5-10 of these or your other favorite design. You will have some clean-up, like the notches to do. However save the template if if one breaks, or you get a new tool that needs one you have already done the hard part and you should be able to crank one out in a quick timeframe. Also, it makes making a bunch of these as gifts for your friends who have not learned that they need these sooo much easier.
I LOVE the push block! I've been admiring it since I saw the /prototype/ in another video. Thank you! Subscribed! Bought Merch, Bought plans (dowel jig). Keep up the good work!
1 year later - still love your push block. Im a big fan of gluing two of them together, whether that is 1.25" or 1.5" thick. A thicker push block feels a lot more stable.
As an American carpenter I have come to appreciate the metric system for its for simplicity ...makes adding or subtracting dimensions so much easier, dividing or multiplying for layout, finer adjustments, etc...it also leaves fewer un-caught mistakes to be made. I use it on layout when units aren't as important as accuracy.
Richard Florence here in Australia we were smart enough to change our currency on 14 feb 1966 and in 1970 we changed to the metric system I also was a carpenter at the time of the change and I can tell you it was the smartest thing your government ever did.
Back in mid 70's - Jimmy Carter days - USA was talking about going to the metric system. Sure wish we had done that. I too use metric in my USA shop when ever possible.
By the way. I know what I am doing tomorrow in my shop. Making these push sticks.......
I made a set of these push blocks 6 months ago and they are my go-to finger preservers. Thank you so much for your kindness in putting the plans on here for free. That was very kind of you
I made this following the plans, and it was slightly small for my hand. I enlarged the template by about 20% and made a new one. AWESOME!!! I love this push stick better than my others and use it constantly now. What I really love is how it automatically pushes down on the front of the board. It’s truly a great design, and I thank you for it. I painted it yellow so it wouldn’t disappear on me and glued in a couple rare-earth magnets so I could store it on the saw. It’s a great tool. Thanks again!
This looks like a really well thought out design, I'm going to give it a try. Thanks for making it available for free, you may save many injuries. You make a very good point, which I hope many viewers have taken on board: Safety devices have to be easily accessible. I really appreciate it when woodworkers share why they did something a certain way, rather than just showing how. As we say downunder "Good on ya"
Pro tip on that blowout from the forsner bit: Instead of drilling till the spur shows through, drill a 1/8" pilot hole all the way through the piece first. Then drill 1/3 to 1/2 of the way through from the first side. When you flip the piece, there will still be enough meat there to keep allow the bit to start cleanly without the material collapsing.
AWESOME push block design, I'm definitely gonna try it!
You know, the stupid thing is I JUST used that technique on the dowel jig video and then completely forgot about it for this one 🤦♂️ 😂 that definitely would have been the right procedure
I built your design and I really like it. I have an upgrade in the fabrication. For cutting out the interior, go ahead and drill out the center holes. Then go to the bandsaw, cut in from the rear and cut out the interior part. You now have a narrow slit in the rear. Add some glue and clamp the slit shut. The interior is now done, go on and finish the part.
As an engineer I must work in both imperial and metric measurements, a 1 inch shaft doesn't fit a 25mm hole. The more you use both systems, the easier it gets, and, like speaking two languages, converting from one to the other is automatic and natural.
A point well made! The two systems each have their strengths and weaknesses so I just use the most suitable system for the job in hand. Most criticism of whichever system seems to come from people who don't understand it.
No, just use metric
A small rare earth magnet on the side of the drill press will hold the chuck key, easy as. Applies to lots of other tools and accesories as well. Give it a go. Thanks for the design on the push sticks as well. Good thinking.
This is mostly unrelated, but I've used the masking tape and super glue trick many times and never once had an issue from not using accelerator. I just apply the glue, put the pieces together and hold then for, like 10 or 15 seconds. And then I can immediately start template routing or whatever. I mean, use the accelerator if you want, theres nothing wrong with using it. It probably does help bring all of the glue to full strength faster than not having it. But in my opinion, it's not necessary and just another thing to have to buy (it ain't cheap) and keep around the shop. Even without the accelerator I usually have a hell of a time prying the pieces apart, no chance of slipping. And if I did want to make an argument against the accelerator, I'd say leaving it out gives you a little bit more time to slide the pieces around if you don't place it right immediately. And by "a little bit more time" I mean probably 3 seconds more time.
Totally agree with you Matt! Sometimes my ADD gets the best of me though and that extra 3 seconds of wait time is just unbearable. Other times, I wish I hadn't used the accelerator because now I'm stuck with misaligned pieces haha
You’re right- there is a push stick design for every day of the year. I totally agree about accessibility; I would add to that, easy to make; some of the designs I have seen would take so long to make; a push stick is a consumable; if you regard it as precious (because it took so long to make), then you might not use it.
A step to making them easier to make regularly might be to make a master out of thinner plywood or mdf. Refine that and use it as a template for all others. I accept that you would need to hand cut the sharp angles where the stick meets the timber to be cut.
Like you, I've had a number of push sticks in my shop, some worked good, some were an abysmal failure, but most were just OK. I was really intrigued with your design, so I downloaded your plans and had a look. Since the design was simple, I decided to see if I could reproduce it on my CNC. I converted your pdf plan to jpeg and imported into my CAD software (Vectric VCarve) and removed everything except the outline. Worked like a charm. I can now batch these out for friends and family in an afternoon, plus I can easily change the size if necessary.
Thanks for a great design!
Paul
Awesome Paul! Little jealous about your shop setup, I'll be gunning for a CNC once I have the space (and funds 😬). Cheers!
Really like the thought you put into these, and how you addressed your idea of pushing vs "pulling". Very much like the concept of your hand still being behind the wood when the cut is all but finished.
I’m glad he acknowledged the the metric/imperial situation. Many of us Americans are well aware of the advantages & superiority of the metric system but our tools & supplies aren’t generally set up that way so for the time being, we’re all stuck with it.
THIS! This is exactly it. I would love to switch, but so many things are in imperial making it more difficult than some imagine lol
I'm a Gen-Xer, and was taught both in elementary US classes, we were told imperial was going away.
I sometimes cheat and use metric in private.
Don't tell any one else, they might come for me.
We adapted to metric, I don't know why the need to change but I myself use Imperial except on a rare occasion in woodwork only if I need or want to and only because the metric is on the ruler or measuring tape but I still find myself looking at the inches to give myself a mental view on the length. The same with miles and kilometers or when shopping I used to Ounces, Pounds and stones but items in shops show only grams and kilogrammes. I'm in my 60s and unable to figure out these stupid changes. I like the push stick designs you made and only starting out in woodwork but looking at your design I'm going to try and make two of these, one to push the timber and the other to guide the timber from the side not using pressure so the wood glides along smoothly. I love the idea you showed using them on the band saw. The design of the push stick when held allows safe pushing, the length of it allows better grip on the wood you are pushing and with the distance you hold the stick from the opposite end lends weight and pressure to keep the wood firm on the table saw automatically without having to apply it and you only need to balance and lock your wristband hand in position to keep the pressure on the wood. Great job
I haven't read all the comments so far (some yours). But I am very impressed by how many you have responded to. I know you may not always have the time to do this. Even so, thank you for being so genuine and caing about the rest of us (or at least making a good show of it :-) ).
Wow, thank you! I try, but it does become difficult at times. I assure you, it's genuine, I really do want to help grow a community here and I want my fellow Craftswrights to be safe, successful, and happy :)
Always good to see new designs and sharing. A couple of suggestions: 1. Spray the 77 adhesive on the back of the paper, not the wood, to avoid sticky wood surfaces in subsequent steps. 2. Double sided tape is easier and cleaner than the CA and tape method. You can also just tape the edges together. (That's how I do rocket fins). I like the thinking behind the design.
Thanks for the tips Randy, I don't know why I've never thought of spraying it on the template, seems kind of obvious now haha. I might need to find some different double sided tape. The stuff I have in my shop is carpet tape and it's so friggin sticky that it makes a bigger mess for me than the CA & tape method. Any recommendations?
@@Craftswright I use the double sided tape that looks like regular masking tape. It's usually about 1/2" wide and often used for mounting pictures, but is more than strong enough to keep boards together for cutting and sanding. Frankly, though, I find it's very easy to just tape the edges together and add another piece when you cut it off when finishing.
Although it takes more setup, using a trim bit in the router cleans up those edges very quickly without using the rasp. It works nicely to make a template out of MDF and then use that for marking cutouts and as an edge for trimming.
I’ll keep my eyes out for it and the router tip is also genius! You sir need a channel 😁
Love this design~!! These push sticks are about to take over my shop like Tribbles on the Enterprise in a Quadrotriticale bin~! ;-)
I had an unfortunate incident years ago (90's) where my push stick splintered when hitting the table saw blade. That was when Mr. Left Pointer-Finger met Mr. Spinning Steel Blade. Wasn't pretty.
I had no idea at that time that this event would later result in my wife's insisting on my purchase of a SawStop. I'd love to have the intact finger and have just bought the SawStop because I "wanted to", but it is what it is. Best machine I've ever used, even if it didn't have the flesh tech~!!
Thanks for the free design~!!
Hahaha I love the color you put in your story Andrew, but I am sorry to hear about the finger. I'm hoping to get the SawStop before I have the missing digit to help convince the misses 😬. Also love the Trek reference 🖖 Cheers and Prosper brother!
I paint all my push sticks and other safety things red. That way they are easy to locate among all the scraps that clutter my workshop.
Smart idea Heikki!
I made two of them right after watching this video. Easy enough. I had to change up a little since I don’t have such a large bit. Worked out well though. Work nice. I still will keep my push & hold 1/4 in ply stick for those times I need a narrow push stick. Thanks for the plans.
Fantastic! Did you like they way they function?
it's good you are improving safety with your design of the push block. Having the guard over the blade would be another great safety feature. The makers supplied one with the saw when it was new after all. But there again I worked as a safety consultant and would always strongly recommend having the guards fitted. I live in the UK and if you had a saw in a commercial shop unguarded you would risk quite heavy fines.
I've now made three of these for my different saws. Great design work, man.
Hello, I have made one pusher based on your design and it’s incredibly easy to use and I feel quite safe. Thank you for making it available for free. Very nice and much appreciated gesture of yours. Very generous contribution to woodworking. Stay safe!
LOVE the presentation!! (and tool design) Watching someone do great work with inexpensive power tools is important for aspiring woodcrafters to see. Not everyone can afford Festool, etc., but can still get very satisfying results. Thank you for generously sharing. 👍👍
Well said and thank you Rankin
This is hands down the best design i have come across. I too have been wanting those key features in a stick but have not been able to find the perfect one that suits my needs. Until i came across your video. Absolute genius idea to incorporate all the safety features with the double sided and easy to hang up and hold style. It looks incredible too, and i havent even seen the spaceship movie you mentioned it resembles.
Another thing i must mention, is i thank you for not claiming on yt that this is the “best stick ever” as so many people have done so. You designed your push stick to suit your needs, shared your design and thought process on yt and it just so happens to have all the features and unique styling i have been waiting for. So thank you again for this quality vid. After around 8x watching it I ought to start on mine tomorrow.
Lovin it.
Don't want to sound like a wimp, but for me, the table saw is the scariest power tool in the shop here in the continuing care community where I live. I've seen one finger episode, and one of my coworkers got a nasty bruise over his sternum from a kick back. We have a "help, I'm bleeding" button in the shop, but sometimes I'm all alone and I really appreciate safety devices like this! I will be 84 in August, and I plan to keep all the appendages I still have fit the long haul.
I'll switch to metric when the clocks do. Not only is 12 > 10, but it has more factors, and the factors and multiples are more intuitive to use visually and for geometry without resorting to calculators and machines.
Having built many push sticks/blocks over the years, I thought there was no way to improve the design. Happily, I was wrong. Time to make some new ones! Well done!
Sweet!
@@Craftswright Mine will likely be nowhere near as nice looking or finished. And I will probably make them out of scrap 3/8" or 1/2" cabinet ply. That way I don't tear up the heel as quickly when making rips under 3/4"
I treat them as expendable, so no need to make them fancy. Function over form this time.
I made one of these today. The paper template made it pretty easy. One thing, though...Mattias (I think) suggested that all push sticks should be painted red to remind people of the danger. The paint is now drying...Thanks!
Great design! Love the idea that it can just "hang around" close by because of the hole. I've been a carpenter/woodworker for many years and know a good idea for the shop/jobsite when I see one. Well done and many thanks!
I had the same issue as you but my homemade stick is a bit bulky. Thanks for sharing your design. It's just what I need. I'm a newbie and retired of my tablet saw. But I Never remove the blade cover. It's easy enough to find another way to make the cut safely. Safety First.
Kind regards Cindy.
I DID download the push block plans. (Kinda cool how the product of your brain winds up glued to wood in a Tennessee shop.) I find your design great to use for precisely the reasons that you mentioned. I would like to suggest one small additional operation to the fabrication. In addition to using a round over bit on the inside of the block, I also rounded over the outside, but only on the back "handle" area. A bit better feel in my opinion. THANKS!
Just tore up one of my lightweight push sticks of my own design. I'll try yours which look interesting. Thanks for sharing your well thought out design. Several comments seem to indicate that trying something different, especially Metric, isn't something which would interest them. Personally, I've been thinking about getting some Metric devices and making the switch myself - it's just so much easier to work in. And I'm saying this after having worked in a mixed Engineering department for nearly 30 years. BTW, you really caught my eye with the box of Forstner bits - just like mine. Your shop looks like a real hodge-podge, just like mine.
I'm right there with you Gary. I think the switch would be much easier for a lot of us if our tools weren't scaled/calibrated in Imperial. Once the manufacturers make the switch I think the rest of us will follow suit REAL fast haha. I'm also glad the hodge-podge came across in the video, we're all students of the craft and I'm definitely no pro, so working man tools it is for me! (for now lol)
These looked gimmicky at first, but after hearing your description I think I’ll give them a try. Thanks!
Awesome Steve, I'm curious to know what you think after giving them a shot
My thoughts exactly! Super functionality!
I recently made one but remade it to make it longer which helps keep the board from rising while running it by the blade. Nice design.
These look great. Gonna give it a try before spending 100 on a plastic transformer pushblock. I don't expect to use the front teeth very often. Most of the time when I'm cutting stuff I find that I need to push down some to make sure the work stays flat on the cutting surface.
Thank you very much for the templates for this push stick. The design is great. I'm going to make a pair to use on my next project which is a long low cabinet shelf with lots of cutting and jointing using my table saw. I'll call them "Dracs" because... well, you know. LOL! Thanks again.
I actually just broke the push stick that came with my tablesaw the other day and was looking at available plans when my notification for this video came up. I love this design! Thanks for sharing!
That is awesome! Talk about perfect timing haha
@@Craftswright I already got the plans and printed them out. Can’t wait to make a set after I get off work.
Can’t get enough of your lessons, sweet! to see your sense of humour is still with you, it’s the woodworking teacher that we didn’t have that personality back in school days long ago lol.
Haha thanks DW DW!
I wasn’t convinced until I saw your pull/push demonstration. Now I am. Great safety tool.👍👏
Right on!
I’ve seen a number of push stick designs on TH-cam and elsewhere. Some I liked a lot. Others not so much. This design is the only one I’ve taken the time to make...6 and counting. I haven’t actually used any yet, but I did give two to a neighbor for him to use in his shop..
Good design, good execution. All around well done!!
I just made some of these. Like you, I did two at once. I made mine out of scrap 3/4" pine which may be a mistake as I am not sure if the small notches will hold up to repeated use. Time will tell. Thanks for the design.
Dang I think you nailed it. That bandsaw shot is what totally got me. Love that you're giving the plan away. Gonna make two of these for sure.
Great idea but I have large hands so I added an inch and from a book on box making I made a cut the flat side and ca glued it back together. I really like the idea with two slight modifications. Thanks for the idea and plan.
Damn dude this is so simple it’s brilliant!! You are officially now the Stud Duck of woodworking videos! Thanx.
Haha YES! My TH-cam career is officially complete 😁
I love it. Clever use of the parallel planes and primary/secondary "hooks." I also lol'd several times ^_^ @Craftswright I used your design to make a 3D model, if you're interested in a printable version being made available to your viewers.. even though your design/template make it SUPER easy to make. Also you've been KILLING it with the sub count lately. Good work, my man.
Thanks man! Much appreciated :)
I like. Downloaded the template, drew it up in AutoCAD, imported it into V-Carve and now I can turn them out as needed. Thanks for the design.
Hi, I hadn't really given push sticks any thought until TH-cam started showing different designs, I always used a piece of 1x1 off cut. I really like this design and will make a set of them. Thanks for sharing
You’re very welcome Jim, I hope you find them useful in your shop! 😁
Awesome! Just printed off the plans. Going to make several. 1 ea for table saw, band saw, router table, and one for a spare! LOL
I always seem to chew up the heal (hook) area on my push blocks from using them on narrow cuts. Just a suggestion, If you were to add a small piece of hard wood screwed to the back of the push block allowing it to protrude below the shoe forming the hook you would never have to remake the body of the push block. Just screw on a new piece of hardwood.
Clever workaround, I like it!
I am greatly appreciative of this. I've just now got my new-used table saw in a functional state, and the two other tools I've got ready to use are my router and scroll saw - just enough to handle this task.
Wonderful Mike! Really cool to hear you're getting your shop up and running and I'm glad I could help add a piece or two to it. Keep up the good work!
I just built your push stick. I like the design and versatility. It feels good in the hand.
Canada is a bit of a mixed bag for measurements... We're supposed to be metric (we do use Kilometers, my passport and driver's license have my height in CMs) but you're right, most of the carpentry and building are in imperial (even my house that was built 8 years ago).
It's funny when they mix them though; I needed some bolts for a project - M6 bolts - so the store had them... M6 x 3/4 inch....
Great push sick design!
I'm gonna go ahead and say I love it. Haven't made one yet, but the design looks great and you did a great job of selling it!
Remove that chain from your chuck key. Use gel CA to bond a large neo magnet to the center hub of the quill feed lever. Store your chuck key there. No more chain getting in the way.
Thanks for the plans; looks like a nifty design to try out. I do like Jodee's design as well and just omit the holes and use a 1/8" roundover and it's still plenty comfy to hold and not tippy. Both are great designs though.
Oh for sure, none of my comments about his design were intended as knocks. I think it's a great design and I could have done a better job making it, but I am thankful that I didn't since it encouraged me to develop mine lol
Thank you, in the U.K. we now use mm, I can’t stand it when I was young we did inches n feet n I love that the USA people use it too. I’m new girl playing with wood and hubby tools n I’m kind of liking it so I’m going to attempt to make this for him or as much as I can with the tools I have.
Going to make a couple myself!!! Thanks for your smarts!!! I don't know if I care for the little catches on the front, but I'll make them and see if I ever need to use them...
Thank you for explaining the push/pull. I was just using a piece of 'tubafour' with a notch cut at the back. I am going to go with your design from now on, once I make them that is. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us.
Going to give this a shot, I’m new to wood working and want to get on the right track asap with safety tools, thank you! Subscribed
I just wanted to say thanks for the free push stick plans. I will give it a try and get back to you. Also I will be buying some of your other items. Thanks again!
Nice surprise with the metric template as well, will make at least one or maybe a couple. I wasn't sold initially, the design looks weird but after explaining why, it seems like a good tool.
Good design, and i need a good pushblock..thanks...I am going to glue on a strip of sandpaper to the bottom, though, to give it some added "bite"
Great video with lots of useful tips and really appreciate the free plans. The fact that you took the time to also do them in metric, for those of us that only use metric and still made them available for free also earned you a subscribe. Thank you.
I just accessed the web site, to look at " the plans" for the pushstick. Only I was DENIED access to that plan?
I'm very much interested in having done a print out, via PDF file, of your push stick! Only I'm not being granted access to that PDF file!? I have seen other push sticks, and they are of similar designs on some of them but yours is a very unique design.
I will keep attempting in accessing that web page, I just might be granted access
Waiting for the lettered or numbered Forstner Bits to come out.
I see a project for the bandsaw, scrollsaw and sander. Thanks.
Dang dude! You really got your style locked down. Great job with the video and congrats on the meteoric rise to the top man!
Bah! You flatterer, you lol. Too many sleepless nights trying to figure it out and books read, but the style is getting there I think. You're soon to follow, the van build has been great to watch!
"It would help if I turned the dust collection on." LOL, I have been there so many times that I feel it deep in my soul. 😂
Also, "that looks very Assasins Creed, doesn't it?" dude, you're my spirit animal. 💛
nice design!! little tip. paint them in red so you don't lose it in the pile of wood! learned that from Matthias wendel
That's a great idea!
Thanks so much for template! Really like it’s design. One thought that I noticed was do you have a lot of runout on your drill press? From the video I could have sworn your bit was wobbling. I also could be my eyeballs. Thanks again for the video and commentary!
It's strange, there appears to be a ton of runout when observing it run, but the holes cut clean even when the stock is clamped down securely. I'm really unsure what's going on to be honest.
Thank you, I snapped up the pdf even before finishing watching the video..I was so impressed with the design.
And I already have a grrrrripper thingy, I think yours will complement that one quite well.
Glad you like it!
Yeah the gripper is pretty sweet and definitely has its own unique usage. I like the idea of mine as a complement to it!
At first glance I thought it was just another variation of an old solution but seeing it in action shows that this is the best DIY push block/stick out there right now! Well done and thank you! 😊🍻
interested to know if you have had any problems with your Chicago Electric jigsaw? Or with any of your Harbor Freight tools? I have a few myself... not personally impressed after seeing the inside of the orbital I bought.. the brushes were aligned on the clamshell- to the point where they fell loose and I needed to reverse engineer the tooling of the clamshell so they didn't fall out while in use!
Very well thought out push stick. I like it, great work!
I almost left a message when I saw it on a recent video, but I figured this video was forthcoming based on the prototype label. I love the design. Great job and explanation!
Thanks Brett, feel free in the future to request things, it helps me keep a thumb on the pulse of the audience and what they/you want to see. Cheers brother!
Look forward to seeing how these push sticks “spice up my life”. Loved the music ref, dude
That opening may let your fingers too close to the blade. I've made several push sticks kind of boot shape with the down part close to the handle high enough so that it is always above the blade teeth.
It could for sure, but if you're blade is at the correct height you should have a really hard time getting flesh near it. Always a possibility though!
Your design has some very good and thought out elements. Thanks for making this a free download. You’ve possibly saved someone a terrible accident. I will make some of these.
You're very welcome, Paul!
No drill press, no band saw and I’m still going to make one, for all the reasons you described.
Great video and design. I also like the one that Drew Fischer made and I'll me making one of these too. On another note, my personal opinion/experience with the Jig Saw, most people have problems because they try to force the tool. Even with a sharp blade, if you push to hard it will warp and bend giving you an angled cut. If you go slowly, applying just enough forward pressure, and let the blade do the cutting, you will get straighter cuts. Not perfect, but straighter. It's not a precision tool.
Great point and I totally agree, I do have a habit of pushing the jigsaw faster than I should. Something to work on in the new year :)
Dude, so cool! I mean the fact that it has super functional features is great and all but I was sold just on the fact that it is the Assassins Creed logo lol. You’ve got my sub! Now I’m going to go make a few of these.
Haha right on!
I've seen your protype and was wanting to make one so glad you have the plans for one. Best push stick I've seen. Thanks
Excellent. my motto: simplicity + functionality = elegance. gonna whip out a few of these this week. thanks for the free template!
I dig the motto
Thank you for the design and free plan. Just got my first table saw. No I'm not a noob just my first new saw
Liked, Subbed and downloaded the template. Will make a couple in the shop tomorrow. Best design I've seen yet, Thanx man!
Very well thought out design. Lots of lateral thinking outside the box. Impressed with your “Dyson” re-engineered push stick. Cheers Mick 👍👍👍👍
Love the design, the only thing I would change is to bring the front of it to a little more of a point so that you have a larger cleat on both sides when pushing through.
And that is, essentially, the shortest and most accurate explanation for why imperial still exists.
That and all our tools down here are still scaled and calibrated in imperial, making it REAL hard to switch
This is awesome, you put words to a lot of the awkward I've felt with my own store bought push sticks, as well as the wide variety I see on TH-cam. Hopefully I'll remember to make some of these before my next wood based fabrication 👍
Sweet! I'm glad I could be helpful :)
That is a very innovative push block. This is the first video of yours that I've watched and I'm impressed so new sub here. I downloaded the plans and will try it out. Thanks man.
Looks to me that rounding the handle end would improve the grip and ease the alternate sides hold ... I will give botja go, and get bacl to all!
Not Star Wars, Star Trek. Looks a little like a Bajoran phaser.
Great design. I like that it's sort of minimalist - not a lot to it, nothing fancy or complicated - yet it's very flexible and can adapt to a lot of situations.
I've always wondered, though - what is the advantage of using the tape+CA technique over simply using double-sided tape?
I have a push block, and I've been planning to make a new one, but I'm lazy of making another one because it's just going to be the same. That's a pretty cool and good design, I think I might gonna do this one. Thanks for sharing my friend. New subscriber here.
Go for it! 😁
Thanks and great design -- have the plans but do not see any dimensions apart from the forstner bits - long long L to R and Top to Bottom please do you suggest? Tks
its a pattern... stick it on and cut them out
Hey Graham, it's roughly 10" long by 5.5" wide. My best suggestion would be to print the template in landscape orientation and make sure that "do not scale" is selected. Really the dimensions don't matter that much, if you're a little smaller or a little bigger the block will still work. Hope that helps! 😊
@@Craftswright Hi Perfect many thanks will make some over the weekend- Have fun and thanks again
I made one and I really like using it enough to make some for a few friends who enjoy woodworking Ty!
I am new to using a table saw and find your videos informative. Thank you for your push stick pattern. I will enjoy making them.
Nice design! Im gonna make this. One question: Making this thin, with one plywood, is not scary your hand fall? I mean: The stick bends to the side and leads The hand to the table. When I saw you making two, I thought you gonna make a wider one to make more stable.
Love this! Makes so much sense and I love your reasoning on why you designed it so. Will be making myself one asap. My first watching your content. I shall be back! Many thanks.
Darkwing was one of my favorite shows! Glad to have you on board and happy building 😁
So i'd recommend making one out of 1/4" MDF first. Then only use it as a router template. Then batch out 5-10 of these or your other favorite design.
You will have some clean-up, like the notches to do. However save the template if if one breaks, or you get a new tool that needs one you have already done the hard part and you should be able to crank one out in a quick timeframe.
Also, it makes making a bunch of these as gifts for your friends who have not learned that they need these sooo much easier.
Downright brilliant idea Greg and I'm a little miffed I didn't think of that haha
I LOVE the push block! I've been admiring it since I saw the /prototype/ in another video. Thank you!
Subscribed! Bought Merch, Bought plans (dowel jig).
Keep up the good work!
You almost lost me at Chicago Electric. Glad I hung in there. Good Job. I will made some. Thanks for the template!!
Hey we can't all have super fancy tools, yet lol