If you are a woodworker, you know that using a table saw, a router table, a jointer, or a band saw can be dangerous if you are not careful. These machines have sharp blades or cutters that can easily cut through wood, and also through your fingers or hands if you are not cautious. That is why you should always use a push stick when woodworking.

A push stick is a safety device that helps you to control the movement of the workpiece when operating on some of the machines, especially when working on narrow or short pieces of wood. A push stick keeps your hands away from the cutting zone, and also helps to produce smoother and more accurate cuts1.

There are different types of push sticks, depending on the shape, size, and material of the workpiece and the machine. Some of the most common types are:

Using a push stick is not only a smart and safe practice, but also a legal requirement in some places. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), you must use a push stick or other device to prevent your hands from coming closer than 6 inches to the saw blade when ripping or crosscutting on a table saw4. Failing to do so can result in serious injuries, fines, or lawsuits.

Therefore, you should always use a push stick when woodworking, and choose the right type of push stick for your project and machine. A push stick will not only protect your hands from the blades and cutters, but also improve your woodworking quality and efficiency. If you don’t have a push stick, you can easily make one yourself from scrap wood or plywood, or you can buy one from a woodworking store or online. Remember, a push stick is a vital shop-made accessory that every woodworker should have and use. You can find a video I recently made on my YouTube channel about an unboxing and first impressions of the GRR-Ripper GR-100 here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Wfa2eaOhqg

author avatar
WilmerWoodWorks
I have been doing woodworking since I was in high school (a while) and I also enjoy making 3D projects and general projects so the videos I post will be basically what projects I have going on and how I go about getting them done.
Leave a Comment

Comments

No comments yet. Why don’t you start the discussion?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *