3 of 3

Write now Article Tools

A featherboard is a very beneficial tool when it comes to woodworking, and they are used to ensure a clean and smooth cut when cutting small, thin pieces of stock on a router table or a table saw. Many of the featherboards available on the market are shaped like the letter "A", with two screw knobs or clamps to fasten the featherboard onto the router table or the table saw. Some others are wooden and rectangular in shape. However, it is more economical to make your own featherboard, and the process is very simple with only a few materials needed.

To make a featherboard, the main material required is a clean and smooth piece of stock. The stock should be approximately 0.75" thick, 12-18" long and 5-6" wide. The stock can either be cut out by yourself or it can be purchased ready-made.

Next, a 30-degree crosscut is made on the interface of one end of the stock with a miter saw.

Thirdly, a parellel line to the 30-degree crosscut made earlier is marked on the surface of the stock three inches away from the 30-degree cut. A bevel set at 30-degrees can be used to ease the marking of the parallel line. A rombus shape should be visible after the line is made. This line acts as the stop line during the process of using a table saw to cut out the fingers of the featherboard, which is to be done in the next step.

Then, with the table saw fencing set at 0.25" from the blade, the long side of the stock is placed rigidly against the fence. Subsequently, the board is then run through the table saw at the 30-degree end right up to the stop line made earlier. Once the cut is made up to the stop line, slowly withdraw the stock until it comes off the saw blade. We have our first finger once this is done.

Following that, the fence is shifted approximately 0.38" (or 3/8") from the blade and the stock is then run through the table saw again, just like in the previous step. We would then have our second finger done. Finally, repeat this process until no more cuts can be made, and what results is a piece of stock with many fingers; the featherboard. To ensure safety, make sure the saw is switched off every time you modify the position of the fence.

Reference:
1. http://woodworking.about.com/o d/woodworkingjigs/ss/Featherbo ard.htm
2. http://woodworking.about.com/o d/woodworkingjigs/ss/Featherbo ard_2.htm
3. http://woodworking.about.com/o d/woodworkingjigs/ss/Featherbo ard_3.htm
4. http://woodworking.about.com/o d/woodworkingjigs/ss/Featherbo ard_4.htm
5. http://woodworking.about.com/o d/woodworkingjigs/ss/Featherbo ard_5.htm
6. http://woodworking.about.com/o d/glossary/g/gloFeatherboard.h tm

Learn more about this author, G. Lee.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about How to make a featherboard?
We want to hear your view. Write now!