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Scrolling along

4K views 8 replies 6 participants last post by  CharleyL 
#1 ·
I broke out the scroll saw today to make a featherboard using my kreg one as a template ...it came out o.k. and I may make a few if I get my hands on some better wood not sure the 3/8" mdf will last any ideas on a choice of wood ? I just might have gotten a little practice on the scroller
 
#2 ·
Well, Warren, The best wood will be some ash, or hickory. I think pine will work ok, if You don't bend the teeth a lot. I guess that there are a lot of woods that will work. MDF wood be My last choice.
 
#4 ·
Hi Warren:

I usually cut mine out of anything thicker than 3/4" and real wood, not composites or plied. The softer the wood, the thicker the fingers with the thickest finger about 3/8" and the thinnest about 3/16". I also make my fingers at least 4" long and some as much as 6". I try to make sure they're at least 12" overall so I can clamp them to table saw and/or router table and/or bandsaw etc. I keep using the same ones until the fingers get broken off because I pushed it too far then I cut a new pair. I find I only need them in pairs. This is usually the last function for a piece of wood before feeding the stove. I'm not too careful about how square it is either as long as the fingers push evenly.

I like the bandsaw for cutting mine although I have done one pair on the table saw. Somehow it seems less frightening to cut them on the bandsaw than the table saw. There's something else too, when I cut on the bandsaw the kerf is smaller and square whereas the table saw is thicker and the end is rounded and needs to be squared off with a handsaw.
 
#5 ·
Yes after playin around , Did just one with the scrap peice of mdf...I am gonna chalk it up to practice with the scroll saw,the fingers were way to flexible and soft being thin after tracing the plastic Kreg jig....I have another Question Where is a good place to get the T-bolts, and such ???
 
#6 ·
T-bolts can be found in the plumbing supply stores or big box stores. They are used to secure Toilets to the pipe flange and have oval heads. Wing nuts from the hardware section are also readily available. Some Lowes stores also carry the black plastic wing knobs that are commonly used by woodworkers for building fixtures, but they don't carry them in any quantity. I usually buy these from a woodworking supply.

I have feather boards that were made from oak, maple, poplar, pine, 2X4 scraps, etc. Almost any solid wood will do fine. Those made from composites and plywood won't hold up long. The feather board's design, size, slot spacing, overall length, and finger length all vary depending on the purpose that I built them for. I also have a few of the purchased models that are made from plastic, but I prefer to use my wooden ones, as they seem to do a better job.

Charley
 
#7 ·
Hey Charles I found everything but the little piece that fits into the slot on my table to screw the T-bolt into ....Thanks for all the input...
 
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