A lesson in respect

[12Wingrider]

I have a lot of different push sticks that I use for different circumstances, but it seems like it's always that one time that will get you.

Looking at the pictures linked by slickgt1 some look interesting and some look like they would be a hassle to setup and I would be the type not to screw with it.

You know there is always that little guy sitting on your shoulder saying it's just one little board to cut, you'll be just fine. Normally I ignore and do the right thing but once in while I just go with it. Always successful, sometimes just damn lucky.

I have been a mechanic my whole life and always doing something in the garage, turning wrenches or building something. Always working and have been very fortunate to never be hurt. I guess in reading all of this it is hard to imagine but I do take safety very seriously. To the point that the factory my company sent me to was very dangerous, scared the hell out me to just walk in there.
I called my boss and squawked about it and eventually he drove about 2 hours and brought our corporate trainer with him from about 4 hours alway. Gave them a quick tour and by the end of it they were surprised I hadn't been hurt there from one of the idiots on fork trucks. They went home told me to be careful and things would change fast.
They were right, our president called theirs and put them on notice letting them know we would void our contract if thing didn't improve immediately. 48 hours later it was like a whole new place. Been in there a year now and it is still good and still improving.
Yeah I take safety very seriously, I don't have all my digits by accident.

 

[jhall0712]

I'm kind of surprised at the sticker shock of the gripper product. Especially from a forum where so many members will spends who knows how much on brand name tools for the sake of the name.

For the record, it's $150 for two, not one. It's designed in a way that you can usually use it without the blade going through it. See here.

That being said, I'm sure there are dozens of other ways to accomplish the same thing. If you're comfortable with it, then that's all that matters. Stay safe either way, and respect the machine!!

 

[TerryH]

I'm kind of surprised at the sticker shock of the gripper product. Especially from a forum where so many members will spends who knows how much on brand name tools for the sake of the name.

For the record, it's $150 for two, not one. It's designed in a way that you can usually use it without the blade going through it. See here.

That being said, I'm sure there are dozens of other ways to accomplish the same thing. If you're comfortable with it, then that's all that matters. Stay safe either way, and respect the machine!!

+1. Nobody ever spends too much on tools / gadgets 'round here.

Seriously, the gripper controls both sides of the workpiece and it's easy to setup Pretty cool deal actually.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I also have pushsticks and use them quite often. A pair that I bought and one tha is thinner for close work.

If using the table saw gives you the heebie jeebies, try ripping with a radial arm saw.

 

[laser3kw]

high school shop teacher showed us how to take a piece of scrap and put a "V" notch in it for good bite.

 

[slickgt1]

Actually the price of that gripper doesn't scare me at all. I am quite comfortable spending thousands on my Festool tools. I don't have all of the Festool arsenal, because I think it gets retarded to even own some of them, but the Domino, track saw, planer, I love those, and can't imagine living without them.

The gripper is just a waste of time. It will literally take me 1 min, to use my table saw, to fashion a push stick, or two that fit the bill. It is just one of those items, that I will use as a hammer if I have to nudge a sheet.

I think the gripper is more for the hobbyist. Someone who will take the time to set it up, be careful with it, and all that. For someone who runs the saw for an hour straight, it still feels like a gimmick. Maybe I just need to see it.

In the end, no matter how fancy your gripper or push stick is, it is not going to stop kick back like a simple splitter will. Buy that $25 dollar splitter, and use the rest of the money to buy a few zero clearance blanks, if you can't make them yourself. Use the rest of your money saved on some nice options for your saw.