More than a woodworking accessory, a featherboard is also known to be a safety device. It is an even wood piece which has notable elastic, slender fingers on the other side of the plane.
There is a concrete reason why it is called the featherboard. It is basically a board that has a string of fingers formed on the other end of it that motions much like a feather.
The purpose of these fingers is to give steady force to clasp the stock steadfastly alongside fences and tabletops. The angle permits stock to go through in a linear course while simultaneously refusing to go along with the motion in the opposed track.
A good way to utilize this is when using it conjunction with motionless power cutting devices such as router table, radial arm saw and the table saw.
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Meanwhile, this board provides enhancement on the usage of shaper cuts and routers. This is done through retaining the force precisely wherever it is required.
Consequently, this provides the section being worked on to remain going in a steady, straight path. This is specifically useful for calculating thin stock carefully which is a specific dilemma when supplying stock with hand.
While being fastened to the table of the motionless device, the bendable fingers are strategically placed to clutch to the workpiece securely for the duration of the rip cuts. This is to make sure that a smooth cut is done while it goes through the cutting edge.
Uses of the featherboard
There are several procedures that a featherboard can be utilized for. Considered as a customary piece in just about every woodworking store, featherboards are ultimately versatile.
It can be used for:
- Creating molding for router tables
- Edge jointing
- Steering stock as it goes through the cutting edge
- Helpful as a protective accessory
These are just some of the reasons why you could not go without any featherboard during any woodworking project.
Where to find featherboards?
To avoid any critical injury while doing a woodworking task, it is best to purchase a featherboard before starting any project.
Before purchasing anything, it helps to note what you would be using the featherboard for. There are different sizes and shapes that are available specific to a task they are going to be employed for.
Also, featherboards can be commercially made or may be homemade. Any type will function just as similarly.
If you opt to buy a commercial featherboard, it is helpful to look for it in online woodworking shops and woodworking superstores. In contrast, homemade featherboards can be done simply through cutting a sequence of fingers only on one area of an even plank incised at an angle on the last part.
Apart from where the featherboards are from, you might want to consider the durability, the reliability, and the pricing prior to finally buying one.
Getting comfortable with the featherboard
For it to be an effective safety piece, a featherboard must be used with both ease and precision. With that said, the woodworker must know how to use it.
To start, there are a few things to remember so you can get comfortable with the featherboard. Foremost, know the space between the expected blockade of the saw bench blade and the position of the featherboard. This distance must be accurately recognized.
Proceed with switching off and unplugging of the saw bench. Put the stock wood that is going to be incised alongside the saw blade barrier. Thereafter, you can put the featherboard in opposition to the stock.
Ensure that the fit must be at ease for the wood to be pressed through. This is a consideration that the woodworker is permitted to remain in total command over the motion of the wood for each time it passes through.
It is intended that a featherboard is cut at a certain angle to provide the most excellent probable surface area intended for the timber to go through the saw. The little end part of the board must constantly be looking at the last part of the table saw.
This is the location where a woodworker must be situated. This is so in order for the woodworker to thrust the stock wood all the way through the blade. On the other hand, the featherboard fingers operate as a cushion to permit the wood to go through the cutting edge securely.
This can be achieved by having the woodworker employ the shoving movement and never forgetting that fingers should in no way come near the blade location.
To have the featherboard functioning properly, utilize clamps and put it into its proper place. Ensure two clamps are utilized in the board so that it is safe. In the event that the clamps are in place, attempt to feed stock which needs to be cut. If the stock is thin, this is extremely helpful.
The woodworker ,in turn, can manage the wood being incised. In this situation, utilizing a carving tool in this location is encouraged. In the moment that the stock passes through effortlessly, you can now be confident that proper stock placement is definitely set up.
Also, the feathers on the board will put a stop any possible recoil. To continue with the woodworking task at hand, you may opt to use a masking tape so you can mark an impermanent point for the accurate position.
Continue the process up until the desired wood shape or size is achieved.
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Conclusion
When working with wood, it is vital that safety is being certainly considered. With the help of featherboards, any possible injury because of a backlash.
It is especially hazardous when any piece of stock comes in contact with your eyes. Panic could be ensued from a possibly dangerous situation and can result from a woodworker placing their hands into the saw blade position to try to correct what is happening.
This does not need to happen. With the proper usage and positioning of the featherboard, an unnecessary accident does not have to occur.
Hopefully, this had shed light on the purpose and usage of the featherboard. Feel free to comment below how this article helped you.