Great video and great sticks. I still have my first stick build ahead of me, but this video certainly pushed me in that direction... Hope the maker thing went well
Everyone should only do what they feel safe doing and if your uncomfortable putting the bolt in then absolutely don't. You most be aware of the height of your blade always.
Good stuff, but for a push stick, why bother using the flush trim router bits to make the push stick match the exact shape of your template. The exact shape really doesn't matter. If it's off by 1mm, it's fine. I agree that it's nice to round over the edges and sand it to prevent splinters and increase user comfort, but the exact dimensions don't matter. My push block of choice is an off cut of a 2x4 with an adjustable and replaceable hook piece at the back. It works fine. I vaguely recall that I ripped off one edge on my table saw to have a nice flat edge on the face that sits on top of my work piece.
What is safety? Is primarily about controlling the stock through the cut? Or is it making sure if anything happens you don't cut your fingers or hand off? Or is it both? I STRONGLY think it can only be both of these. So the different types of push sticks vs shoes both have flaws. But what has the worst flaw? The shoe type controls the workpiece better (allegedly) but still involves your hand running close and parallel to the blade sliding fully from front to back of the blade. In this design your hand is always in striking distance of the blade throughout the whole push through. With TWO long push sticks you sacrifice (arguably) a small amount of control over the workpiece but have a solution that can if designed correctly 100% protect your fingers at all costs. I say 100% because it done correctly your hand should never be in striking distance of the blade. It baffles me that woodworkers choose to prioritise the control of the workpiece higher than guaranteeing their fingers. Having used pushsticks for decades I can say they can totally be used very safely bit with the added advantage of guaranteeing all your fingers and hand. To me a well designed pair or pushsticks used simultaneously is very hard to beat. I will never let the odds swing in favour of stock control over my 10 fingers. I would rather have 10 kickbacks to just one incident where I lose my fingers. I have never ever felt comfortable even watching woodworkers using the shoe design. It's like a blindness to the reality that their fingers and wrist/hand are withing cutting range and when something goes wrong it happens so fast and all it takes if for that shoe to flip over and your fingers are gone all because of a false sense of security. I am in favour of a weight forward pushstick with a decently long cut out that rests on the stock. But like anything on a table saw you still have to know what you are doing and most pushstick accidents happen because of unskilled users or complacency in skilled users.
@pgtips4240 Thank you for such a detailed response to the video. I agree with you entirely on all point raised. I believe each push stick / block should be used with the intended cut in mind. Some good for our thing another for something else. Honestly my go to for the majority of my cuts is the stranded birds mouth version. Again many thanks 😊
I was using a Dewalt push stick and it hit the blade. It jammed back into the palm of my hand ripping it open in a triangle. I’ve got 12 stitches, my had is damaged and my fingers and arm ache. It never occurred to me that I should use a soft wood stick that would just cut. Big mistake after 4 years of careful operation of the saw. I’ve learned a valuable lesson and will never use a plastic (hard) to push wood through again. The force was so intense that it jambed my arm backwards and the stick went flying. No one ever told me that this could happen.
All your push sticks look really great sturdy and solid. I like the 2nd and 3rd push stick because they are solid and most importantly the grip on the handles are angled and gives a firm grip for the user to guide, grip the wood and keep the wood firm on the table while pushing through without having to use as much pressure keeping the wood held down firm and the angled handles gives the user more control and these would be a better idea for new starters learning and the first stick would be great for new users to guide their pieces of timber and help them control the pressure and it would also give the user a project to start learning to make themselves to suit them good man
Awesome tutorial. You asked me to let you know how the Bosch bench drill was, and now I've had a bit of time to use it, I personally, find it absolutely great. Worth the money. I did take the clamp bit off it though, got in the way and didn't really do the job.
This is my second comment, my first comment seems to have vanished so I'll say it again. A very good and informative vid Karl. I particularly like the idea of making a template for the push sticks, regards, Fred
Great video and great sticks. I still have my first stick build ahead of me, but this video certainly pushed me in that direction... Hope the maker thing went well
No no, don’t put any metal in the stick.
Everyone should only do what they feel safe doing and if your uncomfortable putting the bolt in then absolutely don't. You most be aware of the height of your blade always.
Good stuff, but for a push stick, why bother using the flush trim router bits to make the push stick match the exact shape of your template. The exact shape really doesn't matter. If it's off by 1mm, it's fine. I agree that it's nice to round over the edges and sand it to prevent splinters and increase user comfort, but the exact dimensions don't matter.
My push block of choice is an off cut of a 2x4 with an adjustable and replaceable hook piece at the back. It works fine. I vaguely recall that I ripped off one edge on my table saw to have a nice flat edge on the face that sits on top of my work piece.
What is safety? Is primarily about controlling the stock through the cut? Or is it making sure if anything happens you don't cut your fingers or hand off? Or is it both?
I STRONGLY think it can only be both of these. So the different types of push sticks vs shoes both have flaws. But what has the worst flaw? The shoe type controls the workpiece better (allegedly) but still involves your hand running close and parallel to the blade sliding fully from front to back of the blade. In this design your hand is always in striking distance of the blade throughout the whole push through. With TWO long push sticks you sacrifice (arguably) a small amount of control over the workpiece but have a solution that can if designed correctly 100% protect your fingers at all costs. I say 100% because it done correctly your hand should never be in striking distance of the blade. It baffles me that woodworkers choose to prioritise the control of the workpiece higher than guaranteeing their fingers. Having used pushsticks for decades I can say they can totally be used very safely bit with the added advantage of guaranteeing all your fingers and hand. To me a well designed pair or pushsticks used simultaneously is very hard to beat. I will never let the odds swing in favour of stock control over my 10 fingers. I would rather have 10 kickbacks to just one incident where I lose my fingers. I have never ever felt comfortable even watching woodworkers using the shoe design. It's like a blindness to the reality that their fingers and wrist/hand are withing cutting range and when something goes wrong it happens so fast and all it takes if for that shoe to flip over and your fingers are gone all because of a false sense of security.
I am in favour of a weight forward pushstick with a decently long cut out that rests on the stock. But like anything on a table saw you still have to know what you are doing and most pushstick accidents happen because of unskilled users or complacency in skilled users.
@pgtips4240 Thank you for such a detailed response to the video. I agree with you entirely on all point raised. I believe each push stick / block should be used with the intended cut in mind. Some good for our thing another for something else. Honestly my go to for the majority of my cuts is the stranded birds mouth version. Again many thanks 😊
I was using a Dewalt push stick and it hit the blade. It jammed back into the palm of my hand ripping it open in a triangle. I’ve got 12 stitches, my had is damaged and my fingers and arm ache.
It never occurred to me that I should use a soft wood stick that would just cut.
Big mistake after 4 years of careful operation of the saw.
I’ve learned a valuable lesson and will never use a plastic (hard) to push wood through again.
The force was so intense that it jambed my arm backwards and the stick went flying.
No one ever told me that this could happen.
Wow that sounds terrible, this is why I only use wooden push sticks as they easily pass through the blade.
Carl you should be selling them for your self not showing them how to make them your a good man make some money for your self mate👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Thank you Brian 😊 hopefully I'll sell lots at Maker's Central 🙂
They’re good fun to design & make mate, the skies the limit 👍
Do. U. Sell. The. Patterns. For. The. Push sticks
Really sorry not yet, I appreciate you asking though. Hopefully soon.
Do you have plans for these push stick. Will you email me a copy
Hi Sam I don't have any plans sorry mate.
All your push sticks look really great sturdy and solid. I like the 2nd and 3rd push stick because they are solid and most importantly the grip on the handles are angled and gives a firm grip for the user to guide, grip the wood and keep the wood firm on the table while pushing through without having to use as much pressure keeping the wood held down firm and the angled handles gives the user more control and these would be a better idea for new starters learning and the first stick would be great for new users to guide their pieces of timber and help them control the pressure and it would also give the user a project to start learning to make themselves to suit them good man
Thank you Billy 😊
But this design means your hand running closely parallel to a spinning blade? Long push sticks eliminate this risk entirely.
Any plans on your push sticks
Coming soon mate
Good collection of pushies there Karl. Have fun at Maker Central!
Cheers James 😀
Nice pushers fella!
See ya there if you're there. Oh most definitely Mr P
Outstanding vid - you kept it: simple, informative and reasoned (the “why” factor) Thank you and “well done.”
Thank you William 😊
your push sticks don't have a long handle to keep the hand away from the blade
Different push sticks for different applications.
I 3D printed mine :-).
Awesome tutorial. You asked me to let you know how the Bosch bench drill was, and now I've had a bit of time to use it, I personally, find it absolutely great. Worth the money. I did take the clamp bit off it though, got in the way and didn't really do the job.
Cheers Lyn this is definitely a tool I'm still looking to upgrade eventually when I can afford it. 🙂
Muito bom 👍🏻 parabéns 😊
Thank you 😊
Great video karl, particularly liked the example on the spindle sander for the first push stick 😂
Haha cheers mate 😀
They look good Karl well designed. Enjoyed your machining. The motor noise on your our oscillating sander too loud. Tony
My machines are like toys compared to yours Tony🤣 ye it's a noisy bugger isn't it 🤣
Great video on how to make them. Mine are a bit rough and ready. Hope the Makers' Central goes well.
Thanks Ben, as I'm making these to sell I need to put a bit of effort in lol 😆
Thank you.
great tutorial, i will be making myself some of these. cheers.
Your welcome Julie and thank you. 😊
Sell t hem - Me first :)
Haha will do mate
This is my second comment, my first comment seems to have vanished so I'll say it again. A very good and informative vid Karl. I particularly like the idea of making a template for the push sticks, regards, Fred
Bloody TH-cam Fred, thanks mate. Are you coming along to Maker's Central?
@@karlpopewoodcraft Where and when mate?
@@Fred16721 www.makerscentral.co.uk/
@@karlpopewoodcraft Damn, I'm working that weekend. Next time I'm in Hull I'll give you a shout mate.
@@Fred16721 Definitely Fred your more than welcome to come for a brew anytime mate.