Does this exist?

[davidtu]

AND is it a good idea, or somehow dangerous?

Here is a rough mock-up drawing of something to attach to the fence to exert downward force on wood being fed into the saw. I find as a newbie that I am often not keeping the wood flat as I feed it through, resulting in arcing gouges on the cut face.

Does an attachment such as this exist? If so who sells it?

The idea here is that the curved piece would be a springy material to exert the downward force, and it would be adjustable in height or lateral position, if necessary. I put two in b/c I wasn't sure where it would do the most good.

OR, just tell me how to keep my wood flat!

(uh, in case anyone thinks this is a great new idea--unlikely, I know--PAT PEND.)

[just4funsies]

You can easily make the sled. For the downward force, you can use featherboards, or look for an item called "Board Buddies" (Woodcraft has them, as well as other places). Board Buddies have bearings, and will rotate, thus eliminating the need for a sled.

[beetee3]

Yes. http://www.woodstockinternational.co...d_buddies.aspx

[mpc]

Sears used to sell something akin to your idea. It was a pair of clamps holding metal dowels (the clamps looked like escapees from a chemistry lab) that in turn held two spring-metal pieces. These pieces were flat metal stock, about 8 inches long and around an inch wide (or so... it's been a while) with the ends curved similar to your drawing.

They did work but they took a while to set up. And if not kept clean the metal would leave marks on the wood. If something wasn't aligned right, the metal edges could dig into the wood a bit too. A vertical fence extension and a couple spring clamps holding home made featherboards would work just as well and would be far easier to set up.

There is a similar device out there that has beveled rollers on spring metal arms. The rollers, rather than having flat surfaces, are tapered to a point. The rollers provide downward pressure and, since they are also mounted at an angle (pointing towards the rip fence) they help pull the workpiece into the fence. I've never tried them but they certainly look interesting. Somebody on this site has them, or at least pictures of them, as I've seen them here. Look for yellow or orange rollers.

mpc

[jnesmith]

The "springy" kind of hold down you are describing does exist. I've seen others, but here is one available down under.



http://www.timbecon.com.au/products/...ies-332_0.aspx

[rickd]

hi,

l've got a featherboard setup, i think from rockler, that i use that does that same kind of idea. the only question i have is that in your drawing, it shows a 'downward' pressure point behind the saw blade - is that a good idea? i thought once the stock was past the blade, it should be free of pressure? just wondering - i assume that 'pressure point could be moved back anyway.

[LCHIEN]

hi,

l've got a featherboard setup, i think from rockler, that i use that does that same kind of idea. the only question i have is that in your drawing, it shows a 'downward' pressure point behind the saw blade - is that a good idea? i thought once the stock was past the blade, it should be free of pressure? just wondering - i assume that 'pressure point could be moved back anyway.

Rick,
You can apply dwonward pressure behind the blade.
You just can't apply sideways pressure - that causes the cut to close up and pinch the blade.

[WayneJ]

The "springy" kind of hold down you are describing does exist. I've seen others, but here is one available down under.



http://www.timbecon.com.au/products/...ies-332_0.aspx

The sears part # 93230 hold down clamp set..
Wayne

[eezlock]

Seara has in their current cayalogue an item called a hold dpown attachment
part # 0903230 for $29.99. It think this is what you are referring to.
eezlock

[vaking]

I just picked up that Sears holddown clamp, did not use yet but was very suprised to find in its manual that it is designed to be used only for dado cuts and with the sacrificial fence 1.5" thick minimum. Manual makes a strong point not to use it for regular cuts. As I said - have not tested yet, remains to be seen if this is an overprotection or real.

[davidtu]

I assume the danger w/ the Sears device is that that blade might hit it if you had the blade up ridiculously high. Does it say what the danger is?

[davidtu]

Thanks everyone!

Thanks everyone for putting me on to these devices.

Now, does anyone actually use them and do they find any particular models effective or useful?

Glad to see these things exist... moreso because I was afeared everyone would laugh than because now I can actually buy one.