Popular Post pkinneb Posted July 23, 2018 Popular Post Report Share Posted July 23, 2018 Over the years I have tried many push blocks for the TS, jointer, router most have fallen short and until last week my favorite was the gripper from micro jig. At Marc Adams last week they had these shop made push blocks and they were simply awesome So I started asking questions and was advised they used rubber from a tile float. I was determined to make a couple of these, so yesterday I went to work. First I found some cheap floats at Menards $4.99 each Then I pealed the pad off slowly using a putty knife Next up I made a quick template from hardboard and cut some handle blanks from some scrap 1" thick white oak I had For the base I used BB ply and dadoed a slot for the handle Then I took a router with a cove bit and routed some finger groves in the handles. After using a trim router to break the edges I glued the handles to the bases Then I used contact cement to glue the rubber to the handle assembly And used my vise to clamp them together and for about the same price as one gripper and some misc supplies from around the shop I had replicated what is now my favorite push block. I made four, two for the table saw and two for the jointer/ router which in my shop are real close. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chestnut Posted July 23, 2018 Report Share Posted July 23, 2018 Question. Could you just use the tile float as is? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted July 23, 2018 Report Share Posted July 23, 2018 Yes, until you accidentally cut into the metal ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chet Posted July 23, 2018 Report Share Posted July 23, 2018 3 minutes ago, Chestnut said: Question. Could you just use the tile float as is? I was wondering the same thing. But if he is like me you don't want metal around the SawStop or for that matter, on any saw, metal to spinning blade contact isn't going to do your blade any good. Just a guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted July 23, 2018 Report Share Posted July 23, 2018 Even if it's aluminum I wouldn't want metal chips flying around ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chestnut Posted July 23, 2018 Report Share Posted July 23, 2018 I missed use at the table saw. I don't think i'd use something like this ever there. On the jointer and router table i usually try and never let the push block contact the blades. I still personally like 2 push sticks Mettias Wandel style. Helps keep me out of the way of any possible kick back. @pkinneb I see some CA activator there did you make a mistake? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkinneb Posted July 23, 2018 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2018 24 minutes ago, Chestnut said: I missed use at the table saw. @pkinneb I see some CA activator there did you make a mistake? At the TS for dado's and if I have a larger board between the fence and the blade. I have a Sawstop so no metal Like Chet and wdwerker point out I wouldn't want metal around my saw even if I didn't. Re using as is...metal as stated above is an issue and also I don't want my fingers wrapped around the handle if something goes wrong they could be pulled into the blade. Re the CA that is for a chisel handle I'm working on at the lathe which is just out of the picture. I use CA for finish on all my chisel handles becuase it holds up well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chestnut Posted July 23, 2018 Report Share Posted July 23, 2018 29 minutes ago, pkinneb said: I don't want my fingers wrapped around the handle if something goes wrong they could be pulled into the blade. Ahh yeah that's a very good point. I don't do a lot of dados, some times i feel like i'm missing something .... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
21meyer Posted July 23, 2018 Report Share Posted July 23, 2018 I have been using these floats for a couple years and they are great. I have five or six of them for the jointer, router table, and at the band saw they are handy to push stock against the fence before the blade during a resaw. All of mine still have the original handle which works fine but I will eventually get around to replacing with wood for reasons mentioned above. I still use the Grippers that I've had forever at the SawStop. The Grippers will always have a spot in my shop for certain tasks, but in my experience the floats grip the stock better. I have push sticks for narrow rips (both John Heisz and Matthias Wandel versions) but if I have space between the blade and fence I prefer to use the float or Gripper. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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