Craftsman #10402 Operation Manual - Page 46

CUTTING AIDS See Figures 40 - 42. Cutting aids are used to improve the setup and help make the operator's work safer and more accurate. They can be made from scrap wood and in various sizes and shapes for specific projects. The basic types are pushsticks, pushblocks, and featherboards. If the blade is set 2 in. or more from the fence, use a pushstick. Use a pushblock when the blade is between 1/2 in. and 2 in. from the fence. (If the cut is narrower than 1/2 in., use a different saw.) Refer to the drawings and instructions provided so you can make safer and more precise cuts. PUSHSTICKS See Figure 40. Pushsticks must be narrower than the workpiece, with a 90 ° notch in one end and shaped for a grip on the other end. PUSHBLOCKS See Figure 41. A pushblock has an upright handle with a base attached to the handle. Some pushblocks have a foot that extends down from the base and against the workpiece. The foot is attached to the base with glue only to prevent damage to the blade. FEATHERBOARDS See Figure 42. Featherboards are used for large panels, along with an auxiliary table and a C-clamp. A featherboard has an angled end to fit against the edge of the workpiece. It is clamped in place so the workpiece moves between either the fence and the featherboard or the table and featherboard. Slots in the end of the featherboard help resist kickback and allow for variations in the width of the workpiece. ,_ WARNING: Clamp the featherboard against the infeed side of the workpiece. If clamped behind the blade, it could squeeze the cut edges together, causing binding and kickback. Kickback can cause serious injury. -> o) PUSHSTICKS Fig. 40 PUSHBLOCKS Fig. 41 2 FEATHERBOARD Fig. 42 Note: The Pushstick designs above are for illustration purposes only. They have not been drawn to scale, CRRFTSMRN_RADIALSAW 315.220100 46