If you want to keep the wood straight and parallel for cutting with a table saw, something is needed against the fence for gripping. To hold the wood perfectly, you can use featherboards. That means, while cutting the wood straight with a table saw, featherboards help to hold the wood nicely against the fence. Now you have to know how to keep wood against the fence on the table saw.
Last week, I got into a lot of trouble with this. For cutting wood, I needed support against the fence through which the wood could be cut accurately. That’s why I came up with a solution called feather board. It’s a great opportunity to hold the wood on the table saw.
In this article, I’m going to share my experience on how to keep wood against the fence on the table saw and why it is needed so. So, let’s start it.
4 Steps To Keep Wood Against Fence On The Table Saw: You Should Know
Follow the step-by-step guideline to keep wood against the fence on the table saw for more perfect and safer:
Step-1 Decide What You Need:
Decide first what you need to do against the fence. If you think the featherboard is your biggest solution, in this case, think about it. It will help you in a wonderful way that will work for you. A featherboard is a must for a professional woodcutter. However, if you are new to woodcutting, you may not understand the need for work at the beginning.
Step-2 How You Make It:
You can use different types of featherboards depending on the type and convenience of your work. Also, decide which one you want to make by observing and which one works well with your table saw. Below I have discussed some notable featherboards and the procedure of making:
- Woodworking FeatherBoard:
If you have a big plan with a featherboard, it is better to work with a wooden or plywood featherboard. If you are not good at making it, you can try it according to the process. Try to make it easy by following the instructions.
Making Process:
You can make a featherboard in all kinds of sizes. But your measurement should be according to your table saw. 18-20 mm is the logical size for a standard project. With geometrical instruments, try to mark a 30-degrees angle with a pencil at the end of the wood. Now cut some stains difference between 5 mm apart following the pictures.
Make 4 holes on the other end of the wood for knobs. Then use a drill to cut the wood end of the holes. Now cut the 30-degrees angle by using a meter gauge. You can cut it with the table saw. Now it’s time to cut the finger with a band saw which you mark with a pencil. The basic featherboards are ready.
- Maple FeatherBoard:
This type of featherboard is made with maple. You can also make maple with something else that will give the same result. This is not a tricky project. You can make it by following a simple process if you want.
Making Process:
Take some pieces of maple and set them in the miter slot of your saw. Now drilled the 4 holes under the strip. Then you need the right size bolt for the holes. The pieces of featherboards need to be cut at a 30-degree angle. Cut the fingers precisely, it will help you to hold the wood properly. Thus, you can make the maple featherboard easily.
- Easy Lock FeatherBoard:
If you want a tire that is safer than others, choose the easy lock featherboard to use. It is so much easier to adjust also. The project of making it is not hard. Let’s see the process of making it.
Making Process:
To make the easy lock feather, you have to mark it with a pencil at a 30-degrees angle on the edge of the pieces of it. You can use geometrical tools for measurement accurately. Then you need to use a meter gauge and try to make sure to cut it precisely.
Make holes and set 4 knobs like the process of woodworking featherboards. Now the thing is ready to use against the fence on your table saw.
- Hold Down FeatherBoard:
The most useful weatherboard system is holding down. It is slightly different from others. If you can make it properly and fix it with the table saw, you can make your project easy and handy. The procedure of making it is not very tricky. Let’s see the DIY project.
Making Process:
The process of making it is much like the previous ones. However, its main feature is that you can use it by holding it down as you wish. After making a piece of basic featherboard, make a hole with a drill machine for holding along the middle. It is being prepared for a T-nut system.
Make two more small holes right next to the hole of the T-nut to set with screws. Cut the fingers properly as before. Now attach the T-nut and arrange to place it next to the table saw.
Step-3 Set It Precisely:
Every manufacturing system has gotten into the process. Now it has to be set next to the table saw. Since it is made for support against the table fence, it should be positioned on the opposite side of the fence to the side of the saw. Now it’s your turn to set it against the fence.
Set each feather board in such a way that it is convenient to place the wood and move it to cut. It will help to hold the wood tightly. The screws and nuts of each point should be applied evenly so that no wave is created by cutting the wood. The edge of the 30-degree angle should be towards the saw in such a way that it grips the wood. In this way, set the feather board against the fence.
Step-4 Check It Now:
Now check to see if everything is perfect. To test you have to cut a piece of wood evenly and parallel. Now you can measure with geometrical tools to see if there is any wave. One more thing to note is that the featherboard can hold enough when cutting wood with a saw. Now if all goes well you have successfully managed to make something for the table saw against the fence.
5 Pro Tips To Keep Wood Against Fence On The Table Saw: Ease Your Work
To keep wood against the fence on the table saw, you should follow the tips. It works well as a pro.
Tip-1 Using Push Sticks:
To save your hand, you have to use push sticks. While cutting the wood, you need the thing that helps to move the wood to the table saw. A table saw is a dangerous thing to move your hands and hands with the wood while running.
So, use support that will facilitate the use of wood as an alternative to hand. With push sticks, you can move wood nicely into a table saw. This is the best option for safety issues.
Tip-2 Cutting Fingers Of FeatherBoard:
Featherboard helps to hold the wood against the fence. It is important to keep the cutting finger part on each feather board. A very simple process which has been mentioned above. It is valuable for gripping the wood firmly. Fingers at a 30-degree angle will hold the wood in such a way that the cutting can maintain perfect measurement.
Tip-3 Clamping Thin Wood:
Thin wood clamps are very helpful to protect the wood from uneven cutting. This clamp is needed for smooth and straight cuts. You are also using push sticks for smooth cutting. So try to make sure that your wooden clap will be thin.
Tip-4 Dominate Hand Fact:
The fence of the table should be placed towards your dominant hand. And the featherboard should be on the opposite side of it. This will make you feel comfortable at work. It is better to have a fence on the hand with which you have more power to control the wood and vice versa, feather board.
Tip-5 Using A Gripper:
Using a gripper can be a great idea to cut wood properly to make your table. With a gripper handle, you can grip the wood and this can be a great solution. It is also often used as a substitute for the wood against the fence for your table saw.
Related Questions About Keeping Wood Against Fence On The Table Saw
Why Should You Keep Wood Against Fence On A Table Saw?
For more security, accuracy, and perfection, you should keep wood against the fence on the table saw. Cutting wood will not be parallel if you have no fence on your table saw. It’s needed for you. But if you want to remove the little wave of cutting wood totally, you should use wood support against the fence on the table saw.
A movable wood featherboard can guarantee maximum accuracy in your cutting. It holds the wood according to the measurements of the cutting wood and on the other hand, the fence holds the wood. There is no chance that the cutting will be uneven or unbalanced as a result of applying pressure evenly for two sides. Due to these security reasons, wooden support is needed against the fence.
What Is The Board Against The Fence On The Table Saw?
Featherboard is mostly used against fences to cut straight wood. It is designed in such a way that it is easy to cut tightly straight between the fence and the saw. The wood or feather board against the fence on your table is a great solution for cutting an even and parallel wood.
What Is The Wood Against The Fence On The Table Saw Used For?
To avoid the uneven and unparallel cut of wood on the table saw, you should use wood like a feather board or something like that. It is set against the fence to hold the wood properly. You can keep it opposite your dominant hand for better steadiness and firmness. It helps you cut your wood according to your measurement accurately.
Is FeatherBoard Wood Against Fence Strong?
Wood featherboard is strong, safe, and easy to make straight cuts. How strong the feather board depends on how much effort you put into it. However, it is strong enough to hold the cutting wood. The weaving of the wood removes the cutaway. It also needs a lot of strength and if you make it yourself it will be stronger.
How Do You Keep Wood Straight On A Table Saw?
To keep wood straight on a table saw, you should keep wood against the fence. It’s difficult to keep the wood straight. Even though the wood is long and wide, it is tough to control the equality and parallel. You use the fence at the side of your dominant hand. That helps cut the wood equally and evenly.
But to be more perfect and secure, you should use the wood against a fence like a feather board. To keep the measurement of wood cutting accurate, you have to use support like this.
What Side Should The Wood Against Fence Be On A Table Saw For Wood Straight Cut?
The table saw fence should always be placed towards the dominant hand. Because you have to pay equal attention to cutting wood, saws, and fences. So with your dominant hand, you can get the benefit of control. Since the fence is on the side of your dominant hand, you need to place the wood against it on the opposite side.
That means you have to set the feather board on the other side of your dominant hand. If you want, you can set the opposite of this process according to your convenience. It all depends on your interests, preferences, work, and habits.
How Do You Make Sure The Table Saw Wood Against The Fence Is Straight?
Just as the table saw fence needs to be straightened, the wood used against the fence must also be parallel to the fence. With meter gauge or geometric tools, you can be sure whether the wood of the fence and the wood against the fence are sufficiently equal and parallel. So you can cut any wood and test it with it. A meter gauge is used in this case, if you want you can check by measuring with square scale tools if everything is fine.
Why Won’t The Cut Be Straight Despite Having A Board Against The Fence?
There are many reasons for not cutting straight despite having a board against the fence:
- Blade Alignment:
Straight cuts are often not done due to incorrect alignment of the blades. So first make sure that the distance between the blade and the fence is parallel. You can measure it with the Framing Square tool. Prolonged use of saw blades can result in the loosening of screws or nuts. Tighten enough then use again.
- Lack Of Skill:
If you are a new wood carpenter, the cut may not be straight because your hand control is not right. So you have to be skilled by practicing again and again.
- Loose Blade:
Due to loose blades, there may be a wave in the cutting of wood. The saw blade of the table is attached to the table with a nut. If the nut is loose, the position of the blade will not be correct, as a result, the wood cutting may become dull. This is a big reason for uneven cuts. So just make sure the nuts are tight enough.
- Misaligned Fence:
The big support of the straight cut is the fence on your table saw for you. Misaligned fences are a great issue of uneven cut. So, try to make sure your table saw fence is properly aligned.
Final Thought
To become a skilled professional mechanic, you need to acquire a lot more knowledge. To improve your working quality better, you can follow my easy guideline and practice more and more on how to keep wood against the fence on the table saw. For more security and cutting wood precisely, you have to do it surely.
Give your feedback about the guideline and inform the queries you have in the comment sections below. You can share which recommendations help you more and also your new experience about the workings.
