Dual fences?

[B A R R Y]

I suggest, as have others, some local hands-on instruction.

[Fred the Red Shirt]

If there is only one fence then the kerf can open up on the outfeed side of the blade. With two fences it cannot, so that greatly increases the chance that it will pinch the blade as stresses are relieved in the wood being ripped.

With a fence and a half, wherein the half fence ends just shy of the blade the kerf can open up, but the half fence will not hold the stock as tightly against the full fence as would a featherboard.