Push blocks - do they work as they come or ..?

[footprintsinconc]

my ridgid planer came with two plastic push blocks with a rubber pad, they worked maybe the first couple of times, but not anymore. they pads are fine, they have never seen much work at all. infact the saftely kit that i got from rockler also came with two of them and they dont have much grip either.

has anyone else had the same problem? am i doing something wrong? or do i need to modify them with maybe sandpaper to get some grip?

[LCHIEN]

probably got to clean the dust off the rubber grips.

[footprintsinconc]

i did. infact, after washing them, i was able to push about 2 or 3 2x4's that were about 4ft long through the jointer/planer before they became useless. it then wet them and was able to push another 1 thru and it started slipping on the 2nd 2x4. i had the same problem the last time i used them about 5 or 6 months ago. so no dust, they are clean.

[drumpriest]

How deep of a cut? face jointing? on 3.5" wide? Shouldn't be a problem for those push blocks, maybe you are pushing down too hard on them? Have you waxed your tables?

[dkerfoot]

I've started using a drywall hand sander with sandpaper as a push block. It grips really well, though it is a bit oversize. Thankfully, because the sandpaper wraps around the sides, I can use it on edge when joining narrower stock.

[Hoakie]

I was going to suggest the same thing, a little adhesive sandpaper should do t the trick. Just remember WWND! (What Would Niki Do)

[LarryG]

I can't speak to your Rockler push blocks, but the ones that came with your Ridgid planer are probably identical to those that came with my Ridgid jointer. If so, they're no great shakes, and that's a fact. Even though I had a variety of shop-made push devices, I tried the Ridgids a few times to see how they worked, and had the exact same experience as you. Okay for the first few passes, decreasingly effective with more and more use.

One store-bought, friction-only push device I've found that works really, really well is the GRR-Ripper by MicroJig. A little spendy, but worth it.

[scmhogg]

I, occasionally, give the rubber surface a wipe with mineral spirits. That seems to restore the tackiness. I have also glued a small block on the end of one of the blocks to hook on the end of the board. It gives it an extra push.

Steve

[poolhound]

I have had 2 or 3 sets with various tools. I have some orange ones that I use with my router table and the delta set that came with the jointer. Both work well.

I also find that a regular clean with something alcohol, mineral spirits etc helps.

[footprintsinconc]

ok, hers the scoup:

i cleaned up the push handles and then also waxed the jointer and guess what, it worked. i pushed about 200 ft of pine through before it became hard again. so waxing really helped!

so thats for the tips, i think i will have to upgrade to the sand paper at a later time.

[SARGE..g-47]

I use tile grout spreaders similar to dkfoot's drywall hand sander with adhesive sand-paper on the bottom. They have about 5/8" rubber and handles that aren't a problem to squeeze a hand into. I use the one of those on a TS also when dado'ing with one of the cheap style with a toe catch as the trailer.

BTW... amazing what wax will do other than prevent rust.

[footprintsinconc]

that is a good idea. wish i had known that on friday, the hd next to my work, about 35 miles from home, was selling them on clearance for like 25% of the cost for the last couple of weeks. i wonder if they still have some left. i will have to check monday.