Finger-Saving Push Blocks

 

How to build Carol's jigs

Follow the drawings at right to cut the pieces for Carol's two router table accessories. Make a pattern for the handle by tracing the handle of a handsaw. Create a template of the handle from your tracing, she says, and then "make an armload of these darn things. That way, you won't feel bad if you chew up one of your jigs."

We made our handles from easily worked and inexpensive MDF (medium-density fiberboard). To assemble the pushstick used for routing the ends of long stock, glue and clamp the base to the MDF upright piece. After applying glue to the handle, rub it across the upright, and clamp in place. Glue the heel on last.

To make the pushstick for narrow stock, glue the base to the handle, and clamp until dry. For safety, do not use metal fasteners to hold the pieces together.