I bought one of those metal magnetic pushsticks from rockler for my tablesaw. Only when I went to use it for the first time did I begin to imagine the possible mayhem that could ensue if the stick happened to touch the blade for some reason. I then went back to using my crude wooden scrap stick. What are your opinions of metal pushsticks? Are they safe?
It is 1/8" thick ALUMINUM. Aluminum does not hurt carbide blades. In fact, carbide blades cut aluminum up to 1/2" with no trouble. They may well cut thicker but I have only cut up to 1/2 aluminum plate so I cannot speak to thicker stock. I see no harm with using an aluminum push stick. Usually the push stick does not touch the blade anyway and accidental contact will not hurt anything.
The first time I saw them I laughed... IIRC they are aluminum, but can you see stick getting caught in the gullet of the saw blade and the stick being pushed back into the palm of your hand? I am thinking a wooden push stick if made with as thin of material would have the same effect but most wooden push sticks are thicker and have no sharp corners.
I think it's the practicality that's in question. I consider my push sticks to be a renewable resource -- I run through them without worry and just make more of I have to. No big deal, unless they are more expensive aluminum. Not that wouldn't work well for you, mate, but it just doesn't fit my work habit.
david
I suppose I bought the stick for a few reasons. It was magnetic so I can stick it to the side of my saw, it stands out so if it falls on the floor I won't discard it as just anothdr piece of scrap (this has happened to some of my most trusty "junk sticks") and it looked really cool sticking to the side of my new CS. Looking back, using good ole scrap sticks is prolly a better deal.
We use them here at the school and seem to work fine without any trouble or problems. Even have had a student cut into one. I like the design, the sharp point and the control that it gives me. The magnet is a nice touch.
Mike from American Sycamore
I use them rare earth magnets from Lee Valley for things like that. Make a recess with a brad point bit and glue the magnet in place.
I use one with a standoff to hold the chuck key for the drill press. Ed snipped-for-privacy@snet.net
Mon, Jul 21, 2003, 12:27am (EDT+4) snipped-for-privacy@comcast.net (Jonny=A0Durango) says: I won't discard it as just anothdr piece of scrap (this has happened to some of my most trusty "junk sticks")
Write "push stick" on both sides with a marker.
JOAT Let's just take it for granted you don't know what the Hell you're talking about.
Life just ain't life without good music. - JOAT Web Page Update 19 Jul 2003. Some tunes I like.
Sounds like you're married to my wife's long-lost sister... :)
glue a magnet to it????????? "Ticking away the moments that make up a dull day,fritter and waste the hours in an offhand way......"
Stow it in the left end of your Biesemeyer rail.
Check out
Tim Douglass
Awesome, does that mean if I used that magnetic push-stick, it would always veer hard toward the blade when I use it ?
This doesn't sound safe to me. Ever been bit by a push stick? Ever cut aluminum with your carbide blade and get assaulted by all those little bits of hot flying aluminum? I'll stick to my soft-easily-cutable-into-sawdust pine scraps thank you.
I don't know about the rest of you, but I only use a push stick when required. This means smaller pieces of wood. I just don't see the need for a push stick when ripping a 3"x12" board. When ripping 1/4" pieces for facing (or whatever), a push stick is mandatory. Try not touching the pushstick to the blade when ripping this thin.
Out of curiosity, what are they gouging for an aluminum stick these days?
Mark from Pasdaena, MD
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