If there is one rule in woodworking that is absolutely non-negotiable, it is keeping your fingers away from the spinning blade of a table saw. Table saws are incredibly useful, but they are also unforgiving. This is why a reliable push stick or push block is not just an accessory – it is a life-saving piece of safety equipment. While you can buy commercial options made of plastic or metal, there is a profound satisfaction in crafting your own from scrap wood. In this guide, we will show you how to make two essential tools: a classic push stick for narrow rips and a robust push block (gripper) for jointing and wide boards, all in about an hour using nothing but offcuts.

Let us start with the classic push stick. This simple tool is perfect for guiding narrow workpieces through the blade, keeping your hands safely away from the danger zone. To build one, you will need a piece of ½-inch to ¾-inch thick plywood or solid wood, roughly 15 inches long and 4 inches wide. The design is straightforward: you want a long handle at the rear and a hook or notch at the front that will engage the trailing end of your workpiece. The notch should be deep enough to secure the board but not so deep that it weakens the handle. A safe design features a birdsmouth cut – a V-shaped notch that bites into the wood, giving you positive control.

Cut the shape with a jigsaw or bandsaw. The handle should be ergonomic; cut a hole for your hand to grip, and round over all the edges with a sander to prevent splinters. The critical feature of the push stick is the back hook. When you are ripping a board, this hook pushes the wood forward. Always ensure the push stick is longer than your hand so that even if the board kicks back, your hand stays far away from the blade. Add a piece of rough sandpaper glued to the underside of the push stick near the heel; this gives your hand extra traction against the workpiece.

While the push stick is great for thin strips, it is less effective for wide boards or when you need to apply downward pressure to prevent lifting off the table. This is where the push block (or gripper block) shines. A push block is essentially a wooden handle attached to a flat base that you place on top of the workpiece. By pressing down and forward, you can control the board completely. To make one, take a piece of ¾-inch plywood about 6 inches wide and 10 inches long. Attach a handle to the top – you can carve one from a scrap 2×4 or simply glue and screw a piece of wood to the top of the base.

The magic of a good push block lies in its grippy surface. Glue a piece of non-slip drawer liner (or a strip of coarse sandpaper) to the underside of the base. This prevents the workpiece from slipping as you push it past the blade. For even more control, you can attach a side lip or a heel that rides along the fence, ensuring your push block stays square to the cut. When pushing, your hand rests on the handle, and your palm applies pressure straight down, while your thumb and fingers push forward.

Using these homemade tools is safer than commercial plastic models because wood is less likely to shatter under pressure, and you can custom-shape them to fit your hand perfectly. However, safety is also about technique. When using a push stick, never push the wood all the way past the blade; stop when the stick reaches the throat plate, then use a second push stick (or a long wooden lever) to pull the offcut clear. For the push block, always keep your hand directly over the workpiece and the handle, never in line with the blade.

Both of these tools are sacrificial – they are designed to be damaged by the blade if a kickback occurs. This is why you must make several of them and keep them hanging next to your table saw. As soon as one becomes chewed up or worn, replace it immediately. A push stick is not a luxury; it is a necessity. Building your own not only saves you money but also makes you acutely aware of their importance every time you use them. They are a constant reminder that safety is a habit, not just a rule.

In addition to the push stick and block, consider making a featherboard. A featherboard is a series of angled fingers that press a workpiece against the fence, preventing it from lifting. You can make one from a piece of hardwood by ripping a series of kerfs across the grain. These three tools – the push stick, push block, and featherboard – are the holy trinity of table saw safety, and they cost virtually nothing to build. Take an hour this weekend to craft them; it might be the most important hour you ever spend in your workshop.