From Chris Baylor @ About.com
What is a Featherboard?
A featherboard is a very useful tool when cutting thin stock on a table saw or router table, and is quite easy to make. Every woodworker should make and keep a few on hand.
TIP: Featherboards are invaluable when cutting a bead or other intricate detail on a router table. One momentary slip of the stock away from the fence or table can ruin the bead. A pair of properly positioned featherboards will guarantee a consistent, clean bead detail.
Difficulty Level
Woodworking: Moderate to Easy
Finishing: None
Time to Complete
15-30 minutes
Tools Required
Table Saw
Miter Saw or Circular Saw
Bevel or Layout Square
Pencil
Materials Needed
1x6 12-18 inches long (preferably non-SPF)
Cut the stock to a proper size
- stock
- FeatherboardStock.jpg (10.38 KiB) Viewed 155 times
To begin making a featherboard, cut a clean piece of 3/4" stock (I prefer to use a scrap of 1x6, preferably from stock with less sap than pine) anywhere between 12-18" in length by 5-6" in width. In this example, we'll cut the stock down to 12" x 5" dimensions.
Make a 30-degree cut on one end of the stock
- angle
- 30DegreeAngle.jpg (9.63 KiB) Viewed 155 times
Using a miter saw, make a 30-degree mitered crosscut on one end of the board.
Mark a 30-degree stop line
- degree
- 30DegreeMark.jpg (11.87 KiB) Viewed 155 times
Using a bevel set to 30-degrees, mark a line three inches in from the mitered end of the board, parallel to the 30-degree mitered cut. This will serve as the stop line while cutting the fingers of the featherboard with the table saw.
Cut the Fingers of the Featherboard
- finished
- FinishedFeatherboard.jpg (22.77 KiB) Viewed 155 times
Set the fence of the table saw 1/4" from the blade. Place the long side of the board firmly against the fence (and flat on the table) and run the board through the saw until you reach the stop line. Next, carefully retract the board until it safely clears the blade.
With the stock and your hands clear of the blade, move the fence an additional 3/8" away from the blade and make another cut, parallel to the first and again up to the stop line. To be safe, the saw should always be turned off while adjusting the fence.
Repeat the previous step until the entire width of the board is cut into fingers. The finished featherboard should look like the example below.
How to use a Featherboard
With the table saw turned off, place the stock to be cut firmly against the fence near the blade. Position the featherboard flat on the table with the fingers firmly against the stock, positioned between you and the saw blade so as to avoid kickback. Its important to note that the short side of the featherboard should be facing you. If the long side of the featherboard faces the operator, the stock may bind and will not slide smoothly through the saw.
Once the featherboard is positioned properly, clamp it in place using one or two small clamps. Another featherboard can be clamped in a similar fashion on the fence to hold the stock down to the table. In either case, the featherboard should hold the stock firmly, but allow for smooth flow of the stock forward through the saw.
You have now completed the installation of your featherboard(s), and may proceed with running the stock through the saw or router safely and smoothly. Use a push stick when necessary.
