Great vid.....using an icepick would never have occurred to me. The safety gear made me laugh. My wife, who is a retired ER doc, and seen lots of saw accidents, suggested you added a panic button to attach to your safety vest or pocket protector (definitely not on a lanyard), in case you ever fall, and can't get up. Please keep sharing!
Ice pick, or a nice long awl has been my favorite push stick for over 30 years. I have been a professional custom furniture maker for 42 years. I have used a table saw almost everyday for my adult life, and plan on using a table saw for the next 20 years.. I certainly have thought about what “might” happen if I ever ran that piece of steel into the blade, it wouldn’t be pretty that’s for sure! So I decided not to run the steel into the blade, and keep using the ice pick. I guess I am just living on the edge all these years.
Indeed. It has happened more than I like to admit which is why I wear it whenever I am making cuts in the table saw. Thanks for watching and please be safe out there!
Hey it’s your biggest fan. I was just wondering how you put out 2 of the best videos I’ve ever seen in such a short amount of time. I am amazed at the effort put into every one of your videos and I thank you for being such a big influence on my life. Sincerely, Your biggest fan
Like others, I have used an awl for 40+ years. It is the only “push stick” that forces the workpiece against the fence. I have the Jessem Clear cut stock guide which does a good job. With these you can use a conventional push stick unless the workpiece is too narrow. Then, it’s back to the awl. Since I have a Sawstop I use an awl with an insulated handle so at least I won’t inadvertently fire the cartridge.
Using an ice pick ( the more pointy the better) since 1978. Had some close calls on the table saw but never with the ice pick. Awesome control in all situations. Yes, tiny holes but I’ll deal with those.
I like the idea. Seems like you get a great range of movement and control. However, I think this might be one of those cases where, "you have to learn the rules before you can break them". Kickbacks often throw both the work piece and push sticks together. I personally wouldn't want to get a beginner hooked on this method and use it for every situation... but I might have to try it for myself first.
I find that my fingers are best for pushing tiny little pieces through the tablesaw. When they get too close they just get trimed off so next time I can push an even thinner piece of wood through. It’s fine.
I have always used one that I make myself out of a piece of wood or 3/4" plywood that is similar to the second one that you showed. The main reason is that it keeps your fingers way away from the blade while not only pushing through but also pushing down on the leading edge of what you are cutting (more control). Had a wood products company that hired lots (20-45) of young, new, entry level woodworkers with lots of turnover and we never had a major table saw injury. We would just let it get all cut up and then build another when needed... NO PLASTIC!
I like it. It has a pin point for pressure but it doesn't manhandle the wood, it allows the wood to slide up flush to the fence instead of maybe being forced out of alignment by something larger. Also shouldn't be any slippage, and if there were kickback, I don't see anyone falling into the blade? I bit the bullet and went with the JessEm fence mounted hold downs, and love them, only restriction is thin strips perhaps, I've cut one inch into 7/16" strips before, smaller would need a push stick, or maybe an icepick.
Brilliant. But I see you did use a helmet and a face shield 'cause if the pick contacts the saw blade the pick could become a high speed projectile. I'm going to use this technique and I'll have my helmet and face shield too! Thanks for the tech📐📏✏😊👍⚓🇺🇸
I like that. I will use anything I can reach as a push stick often it’s the eraser end of a pencil so I would not judge you for that. Save for the thought that hitting the blade with the ice pick would be a disaster.
I'm only a member of the Safety Police Auxiliary. As such I usually only comment when I see egregious violations. At first the idea horrified me--I don't like the idea of putting anything near the blade that I wouldn't want to put in direct contact with the blade, I see how you could control the ice pick fairly well. I put pressure down and forward with a push stick (board with a hook on the back) in my right hand, and put pressure toward the fence with my left hand from the side and staying on the near side of the blade. For small pieces I usually grab a small scrap to use in my left hand. I know that you are using the helmet for humorous effect, but I've thought about some sort of headgear that would include hearing, eye and dust protection. I seldom use all three in real life, but it would be handy if you could put all 3 in place with one movement.
As an ER physician you're in a better place than most of us to answer this. Do latex or nitrile gloves pose any elevated risk around saws, metal lathes, milling machines and the like?
I don’t think so. The risk of using gloves with some power tools Is that they get caught in the machine and pull you in. The nitrile will just tear off. Is this Dave Dale of Washington DC?
Not a fan of the saftey police but I have to point it out when I see another example of what I call Docitis... I Have worked with Docs for several decades in my professional practice and have always found them to be so super intelligent that they think just because they are so smart that their ideas have to be correct. This one scares the hell out me. If a mistake did happen it would give a whole new meaning to the term “Kick Back”. Sorry, its a no from me but to each their own. Best of luck
How's she goin'? You can't be too safe!!! I was told most accidents happen within a mile of home, so we sold our house and moved to the camp. I'm good now!! LOL Just a question about the ice pick: do you find it marks the piece you're cutting? Can the marks be sanded out? Thanks and in all seriousness, using a push stick of any kind is better than not using one at all. Take care!!
Hm. The sarcasm is strong in this one. *snort* I actually use an awl from time to time. It depends. The good old wooden push sticks are the ones I use the most. When they're all chewed up, I make a few more.
Haha... Safety police here! The reason of using a push stick is to keep your fingers out of the way of the blade but using something that is going to challenge the blade aka 'metal' is not going to be a happy ending either. Let us know what happens when that day comes:)
I probably should have included the fact in the video that carbide will cut through the steel of an ice pick like butter. Or like the nails I have cut through in the past. But many officers will still report me because it is metal. I contend that if you took 100 people with ice picks vs 100 people with wooden push sticks that don’t allow as much grip and control - the ice picks would win in the injury outcome. I will never be able to test or prove that. I’m telling you that it just feels safer to me. It provides a degree of control better than any other push stick I have tried. Give it a try. If you’re too concerned about it being metal than find an aluminum one and report back to me.
@@Selandry1 I'm no safety police but thinking about it, it seems like there's a lot more danger from ice pick shrapnel than wood? Like if something did happen, you've got a sharp piece of skinny metal potentially flying back at you. Wonder if you could give a wood pushstick a metal tip by snipping off the end of a finishing nail and epoxying it into the pushstick? Personally I really enjoy William Ng's push "stick" design - it has all the benefits of the grr-ripper (which I also have and I agree with your assessment), but it's easily made out of plywood and I made a handful that are useful for different repetitive operations that I do - 3mm strips for edgebanding, 5mm strips for some cutting board designs, etc. I've made one modification (other than making it a nicer shape) that worked really well - putting a strip of extra fine grit sandpaper on the bottom of it. Lets you skew the push stick into the fence. Regarding the safety gear, it's not abundantly clear that you're wearing steel toed boots so you should be ashamed of yourself for demonstrating such unsafe practices. Who do you think you are, John Heisz?? In all seriousness, as the spouse of a doctor, I would also like to say thank you for doing what you do - hope you're keeping safe.
Thanks officer 😃. I did think that too. Aluminum would be better. I am always careful to keep the metal far from the blade. And I wear a lot of safety gear.
Agree the metal pick is a no go but making on out of aluminum is the ticket. If it's any form of steel you risk blasting off bit of carbide from the blade or shrapnel from the pick and honestly who wears safety glasses? 🤷🏻♂️
@@cwadub Seriously? Apparently I value my vision more than you do yours. It's not just the big flying objects. Mine fit closely and help keep out sawdust and metal chips when I'm machining as well.
Great video. I have used the ice pick method for years and one of the benefits I experienced is that when it comes in contact with the blade I found that, although a bit sparky, it actually sharpened the blade a little . I am on my 9th ice pick. The good news is that I re-supplied before the pandemic. As an aside I repurpose the surviving ice pick handles slivers for drink stirrers.
A Steel ice pick? That’s ridiculously dangerous. Run!
Maybe a large bamboo skewer instead?
Great vid.....using an icepick would never have occurred to me. The safety gear made me laugh. My wife, who is a retired ER doc, and seen lots of saw accidents, suggested you added a panic button to attach to your safety vest or pocket protector (definitely not on a lanyard), in case you ever fall, and can't get up. Please keep sharing!
Ice pick, or a nice long awl has been my favorite push stick for over 30 years. I have been a professional custom furniture maker for 42 years. I have used a table saw almost everyday for my adult life, and plan on using a table saw for the next 20 years.. I certainly have thought about what “might” happen if I ever ran that piece of steel into the blade, it wouldn’t be pretty that’s for sure! So I decided not to run the steel into the blade, and keep using the ice pick. I guess I am just living on the edge all these years.
Good job with the high visibility vest. Never know when a car comes through the shop.
Indeed. It has happened more than I like to admit which is why I wear it whenever I am making cuts in the table saw. Thanks for watching and please be safe out there!
Hey it’s your biggest fan. I was just wondering how you put out 2 of the best videos I’ve ever seen in such a short amount of time. I am amazed at the effort put into every one of your videos and I thank you for being such a big influence on my life. Sincerely, Your biggest fan
Like others, I have used an awl for 40+ years. It is the only “push stick” that forces the workpiece against the fence. I have the Jessem Clear cut stock guide which does a good job. With these you can use a conventional push stick unless the workpiece is too narrow. Then, it’s back to the awl. Since I have a Sawstop I use an awl with an insulated handle so at least I won’t inadvertently fire the cartridge.
HAHA, Awesome! "You guys are out there keeping us safe".
Using an ice pick ( the more pointy the better) since 1978. Had some close calls on the table saw but never with the ice pick. Awesome control in all situations. Yes, tiny holes but I’ll deal with those.
I like the idea. Seems like you get a great range of movement and control. However, I think this might be one of those cases where, "you have to learn the rules before you can break them". Kickbacks often throw both the work piece and push sticks together. I personally wouldn't want to get a beginner hooked on this method and use it for every situation... but I might have to try it for myself first.
10/10 for the high vis vest and helmet! hahaha
I'm a fan of what Matthias Wandel does using two of the skinny sticks, good positive control.
I hope that high viz vest is made with kevlar. I assume you updated your life insurance beneficiary before turning that saw on.
I find that my fingers are best for pushing tiny little pieces through the tablesaw. When they get too close they just get trimed off so next time I can push an even thinner piece of wood through. It’s fine.
Indeed. That’s why we have 10 of them.
We need more sarcasm...🤣👍
I knew I liked you! I’m in the trenches with you - primary care doc.
I have always used one that I make myself out of a piece of wood or 3/4" plywood that is similar to the second one that you showed. The main reason is that it keeps your fingers way away from the blade while not only pushing through but also pushing down on the leading edge of what you are cutting (more control). Had a wood products company that hired lots (20-45) of young, new, entry level woodworkers with lots of turnover and we never had a major table saw injury. We would just let it get all cut up and then build another when needed... NO PLASTIC!
I like it. It has a pin point for pressure but it doesn't manhandle the wood, it allows the wood to slide up flush to the fence instead of maybe being forced out of alignment by something larger.
Also shouldn't be any slippage, and if there were kickback, I don't see anyone falling into the blade?
I bit the bullet and went with the JessEm fence mounted hold downs, and love them, only restriction is thin strips perhaps, I've cut one inch into 7/16" strips before, smaller would need a push stick, or maybe an icepick.
Brilliant. But I see you did use a helmet and a face shield 'cause if the pick contacts the saw blade the pick could become a high speed projectile. I'm going to use this technique and I'll have my helmet and face shield too! Thanks for the tech📐📏✏😊👍⚓🇺🇸
I did use the ice pick and it worked out nicely so much so that I only need it and sometimes a featherboard.
Let's see... a metal ice pick and a Sawstop. What could happen? Love the safety gear you're wearing (especially the knee pads). Funny!
Thanks! In 13 years nothing has happened. Because I use all that safety gear.
Pish posh... for the table saw obviously Kevlar would be more appropriate.
I like that. I will use anything I can reach as a push stick often it’s the eraser end of a pencil so I would not judge you for that. Save for the thought that hitting the blade with the ice pick would be a disaster.
To each is own. Personally I feel very uncomfortable with the whole idea of an ice pick push stick. But may the force be with you.
Brilliant!
I'm only a member of the Safety Police Auxiliary. As such I usually only comment when I see egregious violations. At first the idea horrified me--I don't like the idea of putting anything near the blade that I wouldn't want to put in direct contact with the blade, I see how you could control the ice pick fairly well. I put pressure down and forward with a push stick (board with a hook on the back) in my right hand, and put pressure toward the fence with my left hand from the side and staying on the near side of the blade. For small pieces I usually grab a small scrap to use in my left hand.
I know that you are using the helmet for humorous effect, but I've thought about some sort of headgear that would include hearing, eye and dust protection. I seldom use all three in real life, but it would be handy if you could put all 3 in place with one movement.
I have an ice pick I use to mark where I'm gonna drill. I'll try it out and let you know. Thanks
I cut some 3/8'' sq walnut using the ice pick, it worked great. Thanks.
As an ER physician you're in a better place than most of us to answer this. Do latex or nitrile gloves pose any elevated risk around saws, metal lathes, milling machines and the like?
I don’t think so. The risk of using gloves with some power tools Is that they get caught in the machine and pull you in. The nitrile will just tear off. Is this Dave Dale of Washington DC?
Not a fan of the saftey police but I have to point it out when I see another example of what I call Docitis... I Have worked with Docs for several decades in my professional practice and have always found them to be so super intelligent that they think just because they are so smart that their ideas have to be correct. This one scares the hell out me. If a mistake did happen it would give a whole new meaning to the term “Kick Back”. Sorry, its a no from me but to each their own. Best of luck
Thanks officer Kelly. Give it a try.
Where are the affiliate links for all that safety gear...
That was cool.
Lol
Good video.
How's she goin'? You can't be too safe!!! I was told most accidents happen within a mile of home, so we sold our house and moved to the camp. I'm good now!! LOL Just a question about the ice pick: do you find it marks the piece you're cutting? Can the marks be sanded out? Thanks and in all seriousness, using a push stick of any kind is better than not using one at all. Take care!!
The ice pick only leaves visible marks in really soft woods. Not an issue on hard woods at all.
@@Selandry1 Thanks!!!
@Walnut Workshop: Too early for April 1st !!! :))))
What about bamboo chopsticks in a handle? Best of both worlds?
Hm. The sarcasm is strong in this one. *snort* I actually use an awl from time to time. It depends. The good old wooden push sticks are the ones I use the most. When they're all chewed up, I make a few more.
Haha... Safety police here! The reason of using a push stick is to keep your fingers out of the way of the blade but using something that is going to challenge the blade aka 'metal' is not going to be a happy ending either. Let us know what happens when that day comes:)
I probably should have included the fact in the video that carbide will cut through the steel of an ice pick like butter. Or like the nails I have cut through in the past. But many officers will still report me because it is metal. I contend that if you took 100 people with ice picks vs 100 people with wooden push sticks that don’t allow as much grip and control - the ice picks would win in the injury outcome. I will never be able to test or prove that. I’m telling you that it just feels safer to me. It provides a degree of control better than any other push stick I have tried. Give it a try. If you’re too concerned about it being metal than find an aluminum one and report back to me.
@@Selandry1 I'm no safety police but thinking about it, it seems like there's a lot more danger from ice pick shrapnel than wood? Like if something did happen, you've got a sharp piece of skinny metal potentially flying back at you. Wonder if you could give a wood pushstick a metal tip by snipping off the end of a finishing nail and epoxying it into the pushstick?
Personally I really enjoy William Ng's push "stick" design - it has all the benefits of the grr-ripper (which I also have and I agree with your assessment), but it's easily made out of plywood and I made a handful that are useful for different repetitive operations that I do - 3mm strips for edgebanding, 5mm strips for some cutting board designs, etc. I've made one modification (other than making it a nicer shape) that worked really well - putting a strip of extra fine grit sandpaper on the bottom of it. Lets you skew the push stick into the fence.
Regarding the safety gear, it's not abundantly clear that you're wearing steel toed boots so you should be ashamed of yourself for demonstrating such unsafe practices. Who do you think you are, John Heisz??
In all seriousness, as the spouse of a doctor, I would also like to say thank you for doing what you do - hope you're keeping safe.
At the risk of sounding like a troll, wouldn't the ice pick leave an indent on your keeper piece?
Only causes issues with really soft woods like pine. No issues with harder woods.
No on the ice pick
Ice pick NO!
Ca na da boy Ca na da whyyyyy???
Hey officer. Where are you from? Thanks for watching. Did you notice I was wearing a condom? That’s just to be extra safe.
You should probably never use a metal push stick on table saw 🙊
Thanks officer 😃. I did think that too. Aluminum would be better. I am always careful to keep the metal far from the blade. And I wear a lot of safety gear.
Agree the metal pick is a no go but making on out of aluminum is the ticket. If it's any form of steel you risk blasting off bit of carbide from the blade or shrapnel from the pick and honestly who wears safety glasses? 🤷🏻♂️
@@cwadub Seriously? Apparently I value my vision more than you do yours. It's not just the big flying objects. Mine fit closely and help keep out sawdust and metal chips when I'm machining as well.
Great video. I have used the ice pick method for years and one of the benefits I experienced is that when it comes in contact with the blade I found that, although a bit sparky, it actually sharpened the blade a little
. I am on my 9th ice pick. The good news is that I re-supplied before the pandemic. As an aside I repurpose the surviving ice pick handles slivers for drink stirrers.
I knew I wasn’t the only one out there who used and ice pick.