Push Stick Options

fjimp · Post by **fjimp** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 8:54 am

The current discussion on shop safety and my experience with two different push sticks this past weekend has me wondering if others have certain styles or brands of push sticks they prefer.

I like the size and shape of the shopsmith version # 518221. Yet find it has a habit of sliding off of some wood surfaces. I am thinking it would be nice to have a rubberized surface on the end to keep them in place. Has anyone tried a push stick with a non slip surface? Has anyone trid painting the business end of a push stick with arubberized coating? Shopsmith has rubber-soled Push Blocks, why not a line of rubber soled Push Sticks?

Your thoughts will be welcomed. Jim

chrispitude · Post by **chrispitude** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 8:59 am

I was thinking of purchasing a can of that rubberized coating stuff to coat the pads of my cheapy Harbor Freight c-clamps. I like the idea of using it on the end of the push stick too.

- Chris

fjimp · Post by **fjimp** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 9:14 am

Chris,

I have thought about that as well. I wonder if painting a rubberised coating on the push stick would leave any residue on the wood one is cutting? Jim

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 10:19 am

I use three on a very regular basis. Two of them you are probably all familiar with because they are part of the Shopsmith Safety Package. The third has earned a permanent place on the Shopsmith Tool Shelf. It was a gift from my brother, who does no woodworking, but it is almost my favorite. I like it because it moves me further away from the blade, it is narrow and it lays flat and does not vibrate off my Shopsmith table.

Yes, my Shopsmith vibrates enough to cause that. I might be the only one (see other thread about vibration) but it does.

kd6vpe · Post by **kd6vpe** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 11:27 am

Hey I use the same ones. I like the big one also. It has some saw mark on it which proves its worth.

greitz · Post by **greitz** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 11:47 am

I've got the same three also. The rubber pad on the big yellow one really helps to get a good grip on the wood. Good picture, Dusty!

Gary

curiousgeorge · Post by **curiousgeorge** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 1:38 pm

I use the Grrriper. It's a very safe, versatile and adjustable (but not cheap) push tool.

john · Post by **john** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 4:57 pm

I have the same three as Dusty as well and both pushsticks have sawmarks as a result of ripping narrow pieces. The yellow one is used primarily for that as it is thin enough to paas between the guard and fence, most times.

John

paulmcohen · Post by **paulmcohen** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 5:31 pm

I have a pair of Grrripers plus all the Shopsmith safety stuff.

sawmill · Post by **sawmill** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 6:12 pm

I got a new issue of Wood today and it has an article on dipping the push sticks in that rubber coating.