Fence-Straddling Push Stick

Family Handyman

Here’s a way to saw strips as thin as 1/4 in. on your table saw with near-zero risk of kickback or hand injury. Cut a 3/4-in. board to the width of the fence, then screw notched side pieces of 1/4-in. plywood to each side as shown. Cut the notches to match the thickness of the board you’re sawing into strips—we made our push stick with a 1⁄2-in. notch on one side and a 3⁄4-in. notch on the other so we can cut two different board thicknesses with a flip of the wrist. The upper edge of the notch holds the workpiece down while the heel-shaped end pushes it through the blade. Cut a hole for a dowel handle in the top of the push stick to keep your hand safely away from the blade.

Be sure to check out these 15 classic handy tool tips and tricks.

Family Handyman