5 Shop-Made Push Blocks for Table Saws, Routers & More
One of the most important woodworking safety rules is to keep your hands away from blades and cutters. But maintaining control of a workpiece is just as important, especially when working with small parts or making cuts near the blade.
That's where a good push block comes in.
A push block allows you to guide a workpiece through a cut while keeping your hands farther from the cutting area. Depending on the design, it can also provide downward pressure, support narrow stock, or help prevent the workpiece from shifting during the operation.
And you don't have to purchase an expensive accessory to get these benefits.
These five shop-made push blocks are designed for common woodworking tasks at the table saw, router table, band saw, and jointer.
Each design solves a different work-holding challenge and can be made from ordinary shop materials.
1. Table Saw Push Block with Replaceable Parts
A push block is one of the most useful safety accessories you can keep near your table saw.
This design features a comfortable handle, a thick wooden body, and a replaceable hardboard heel.
The handle is shaped to help you apply both forward and downward pressure as you guide the workpiece through the cut.
This combination helps keep the board firmly against the table and reduces unwanted movement or chatter.
A Thick Body Keeps Your Hands Farther from the Blade
The main body of the push block is made from dimensional lumber.
It's positioned on edge, providing several inches of material between your hand and the workpiece.
A hardboard heel at the back engages the trailing edge of the board, allowing you to continue applying forward pressure as the cut progresses.
Both the wooden body and the hardboard heel are replaceable.
This is especially useful because the lower portions of a push block may eventually become damaged during normal use.
I like to make several extra bodies and heels so replacements are always available.
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GET THE COMPLETE STEP-BY-STEP WOODWORKING PLANS → Build a Push Block
2. Saddle-Style Push Block for Ripping Thin Strips
Ripping narrow strips at the table saw can be challenging because there's limited room to guide the workpiece safely.
This saddle-style push block is designed to straddle the rip fence, allowing the operator to guide narrow stock without placing a hand close to the blade.
A Simple Design for Narrow Stock
The push block consists of two hardboard sides separated by a hardwood spacer.
The spacer is sized to match the width of the table saw's rip fence.
One side of the block has a series of notches that engage the trailing end of the workpiece.
These notches provide a positive pushing surface as the board moves through the cut.
The saddle design helps keep the push block aligned with the fence.
Safety Note: This design must be evaluated for the specific saw, fence, blade position, and cutting operation. The push block must not contact the blade, interfere with the guard or riving knife, or trap the workpiece between the blade and fence. Use an appropriate thin-ripping jig when the cut cannot be made safely with the saw's standard guarding and work-holding arrangements.
3. Router Table Push Block for End-Grain Routing
Routing across the end grain of a workpiece presents two challenges.
First, the workpiece needs to remain square to the router bit throughout the cut.
Second, the trailing edge needs support to help prevent tearout as the bit exits the wood.
This shop-made router table push block addresses both problems.
Support the Workpiece and Reduce Tearout
The push block features a flat base with a cleat at the front.
The cleat provides a reference surface for positioning the workpiece and helps support the wood during routing.
A dowel attached to the base serves as a simple handle.
The base also includes a cutout that allows the workpiece to be held against the cleat.
This arrangement helps keep the workpiece square as it moves past the router bit.
The supporting cleat can also act as a backer to reduce tearout at the end of the cut.
For end-grain routing, use a suitable coping sled or other secure work-holding fixture when the operation requires positive clamping. Keep hands away from the bit and maintain proper support throughout the cut.
4. Band Saw Push Block for Resawing
Resawing tall, narrow boards at the band saw requires careful workpiece control.
A tall fence provides support along the side of the board, but you also need a way to guide the workpiece safely through the final portion of the cut.
That's where this band saw push block comes in.
A Narrow Heel Helps Finish the Cut
The distinguishing feature of this push block is the thin heel at the back.
The heel engages the trailing end of the workpiece and helps move it through the blade as the cut nears completion.
The main body provides a gripping surface while keeping your hand farther from the cutting area.
Used with a properly adjusted band saw fence, blade guard, and suitable workpiece support, this push block can help maintain control during resawing.
The goal is to guide the workpiece smoothly without twisting it or forcing it against the blade.
5. Two-Handled Jointer Push Block
A jointer is another machine where push blocks are essential.
Because the cutterhead removes material from the underside of the workpiece, you need a way to maintain downward and forward pressure while keeping your hands away from the cutting area.
This two-handled jointer push block is designed to provide that control.
Two Handles Provide Better Workpiece Control
The push block has a thick wooden body with handles positioned near the front and rear.
The arrangement makes it easier to guide a board while applying pressure in the appropriate direction.
The substantial body also provides separation between your hands and the workpiece.
The handle positions make the block useful for a range of board lengths.
When jointing, always follow the machine manufacturer's recommendations for push-block use, minimum stock dimensions, cutterhead guarding, and workpiece support.
Use push blocks with suitable gripping surfaces and replace them if they become damaged or lose their ability to control the stock securely.
Choose the Right Push Block for the Job
Not every push block is suited to every woodworking operation.
A table saw push block needs to guide stock through the cut. A router table push block may also need to support the workpiece against tearout. A band saw push block helps control the final portion of a resawing cut, while a jointer push block must provide reliable pressure and grip.
That's why it makes sense to keep several different designs in your workshop.
These five DIY woodworking push blocks offer practical ways to improve workpiece control and keep your hands farther from cutting tools.
Take the time to build the ones that suit your equipment, and keep them close to the machines where you'll use them.
A well-designed push block is a simple accessory, but it's one you'll appreciate every time you step up to the machine.
Simple Resaw Jig for the Band Saw
A good push block helps guide a board through the final portion of a resawing cut. But keeping tall stock properly supported is just as important.
Discover how a simple shop-made resaw jig can help support your workpiece and make resawing at the band saw more consistent.
EXPLORE THE RESAW JIG → Get Better Control When Resawing
