DIY FeatherBoards PVC

[@NagiCheeks]

This is the best DIY feather board video I have found. PVC is a no-brainer! I live in Florida and see all these jigs and stuff made out of MFD or plywood, and I just know that in this humidity, they will not last. I will take your idea and run with it for every woodworking accessory I need.

[@danielsolowiej]

I'm sure it will hold out for a long time! You have made a very clean Diy project, which in addition, being white gives a final look very professional and pleasant. Worthy indeed !

[@MitchellDeitrich]

+Daniel Solowiej thanks Daniel. I personally like white in the shop. Helps brighten things up

[@RobDucharme]

Looked up "how to make a featherboard" and yours was one of the first to come up. I was hoping for plastic over wood as well... This is a win. And a sub.

[@g.fortin3228]

brilliant using PVC. I had been contemplating what type of wood was mildly springy without cracking.. and..now I know pvc works great thanks so much.

[@houseoffire72]

A $25 pvc board builds MANY feather boards as compared to $25 for one feather board from a store. Excellent idea!!!

[@VampireOnline]

These honestly look better than the store bought ones!

[@TomYoureDoingItWrong]

Just found this video. Very informative. Thanks for actual narration and no annoying music.

[@bulkhead]

Great idea, one of those things that makes you go "why didn't I think of that?" Killin it with the measurement graphics. I need to learn how to do that.

[@MitchellDeitrich]

+Jason Brundage thanks man! It's a PNG file with a transparent background set over top the video during the editing process ;)

[@thegringobaker]

Just stumbled on this video. I have to say those featherboards look fantastic! I have made them out of wood before and have never been happy with them. I'll be buying some PVC board!

[@phillypauly]

great job! impressive. I have been saving a PVC scrap and wasn't sure why - but NOW I know!

[@policedog4030]

Oops, I clicked the "like" button for this but apparently must have forgotten I already had clicked it months ago and youtube "un-liked" the video..I fixed it back now though.. Thanks for taking all the trouble to show your measurements and techniques; so much easier to follow what you did; I'm headed to the lumberyard for some of that PVC, good idea.

[@jeffhallford5284]

I have a feather board that the first feather is slightly shorter that the rest. You can use that for consistent set up. I've set mine too tight and it can make things more dangerous. Great idea with the PVC material. Thanks for sharing.

[@cleokey]

I have never seen this material before. You did a great job in the fabrication. The boards appear to work perfectly. Thanks.

[@MitchellDeitrich]

+Alan Pinho they are taking abuse very well ;) thanks

[@HBFC09]

I made a bunch of these this weekend. I was so impressed I e some for my uncle too. Great video. Thanks for sharing.

[@rwind656]

I have a bunch of similar PVC scraps! Thanks for the ideas. Will check if it fits into our miter slots. And we really need featherboards!

[@dawsie]

Now this was worth the time I spent watching, they are so much better than wooden feather boards I am going to see where I can get me a length of PVC board to make my own as I have tried making them out of plywood as plain timber just did not work at all. Thanks for taking the time to share this 😺😺😺😺

[@andrewbieger5004]

Just subbed your channel. You have a very clever build. The design totally beats using wood, as the PVC material is consistent throughout the whole board. This means no knots or funky wood grain which might move differently and give inconsistent pressure on the work piece. It is also immune to movement/warping/ swelling from heat and humidity. I am a general contractor in South Florida and we use this type of product for tons of exterior trim projects for the reasons I just mentioned. With proper paint prep, it also takes paint very well. The only potential issues I can see (one mentioned in another comment) is setting up the feather boards so they stop just shy of the rear edge of the blade. Anything behind that can create a bind and kickback. The second item is not using push blocks or push sticks to run the material through the router table. I like the thin plywood design (John Heinz inspired), which also serves as a hold down when working on narrow work pieces, where you cant use a hold down and a push block.. For many edge treatments and partial groove cuts, etc., you cannot see the actual bit. It is REAL easy to get complacent and push too far and get a nice router profile carved into your finger tips. That is BAD, unless you are going for that Look!!! My good buddy is missing tips of two fingers, and I don't want anyone to witness that. AS for the pdf plans, I highly encourage you to practice on sketchup or other means to make some simple drawings of everything you produce. Many of us woodworkers appreciate the vast time and effort producing these videos, and have purchased plans for some projects. We all benefit from you designs and you should get a few bucks for them. With the current YT policies, you are damned lucky to get paid for advertising I have bought enough plans on YT to keep me busy for six months.

[@LiloUkulele]

Great Job!. I quit using wood runners for my sleds and switched to UHMW PLASTIC (Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene). A pair of precut runners are $30+, which is ridiculous. My local plastics store sells cutoffs by the pound. I bought a piece for under $2 and made 3 pair of runners with left overs....I will definitely be making some feather boards from the left overs....PS: UHMW is self lubricating and feature a low coefficient of friction...THANKS FOR AN INSPIRATIONAL VIDEO!

[@halkester9368]

Hals Wood Shop. Very Nice Jig. You made and drew the angles and did it. What bothers me is not you but the comments that need your pdf and cannot rewatch you and must have some drawing like it is magic !!! Isn't what you did the main idea, get out and make it ! Use a plastic safe material and draw the lines and have some fun safely. Oh make some handles, a few pennies and nuts and bolts, omg.. people have done it for years and they work great. PVC cutting boards are not being used in the kitchen they make great shop material...jigs, and push sticks, handles. As I said you did great. Some others need to rewatch it and have a coffee and get out in their shop and make it without your pdf.

[@barryroberts6470]

Hal i hope your comment is not referring to me? I like to keep PDF Plans for reference in case i have forgotten anything, plus i don't want to take my Laptop into a shed where dust and stuff can ruin it. Does everything that you make yourself come out of your head? do you read books? I have seen this same way to make a feather board before on KZbin, and as i am a subscriber of his i thought i would ask if he was doing any Plans. Thanks. Barry (ENG)

[@halkester9368]

Barry Roberts . thanks. but not about your pdf. you gave such good detail they should be able to draw it and write it and make it. i have lots of books and magazines and check utube also for ideas. free education is so nice.

[@barryroberts6470]

Hal thanks for the reply back, apologies if my comment sounded bad it's just that some people on here give you comments and abuse that is just not needed. Thanks.

[@MrThom52]

Barry Roberts a

[@barryroberts6470]

MrThomas52 - What was your comment?

[@dekurvajo]

You deserve a subscribe indeed. Thank you. I was exactly thinking about to make these kind of jigs out of PVC or any other material rather than plywood. There are lot of junk actually around a household which are absolutely suits for this. Not because the plywood would be more expensive, but the invested time and work does. And i think permanent jigs are just does not really feels good to me out of plywood.

[@FishersShop]

Wow very nice! Gonna have to keep an eye out for those PVC boards next time I'm at the big box store.

[@MitchellDeitrich]

Thank you! I was actually surprised I found something close to what I was looking for at the big box store for once ;)

[@ldwithrow08]

Always wanted to make my own featherboards but never could get the wooden ones to last any time. Never thought of using PVC trim material. I'm going to pick up a scrap of it and give it a try.

[@MitchellDeitrich]

Yeah dude I'm really glad I gave it a go. I was looking for hard plastic and found this stuff!

[@ldwithrow08]

Went to Lowe's when the social security came in this month. Got an 8 foot piece of 3/4" x 5 1/2" piece of PVC. Made 4 of the tall feather boards and 4 of the low wide ones. Enough to hang a couple on every machine likely to need them. Cost $20 for the board and took about an hour. And I've still got a couple of feet of PVC left. I'm not making a video or anything so I eyeballed the thickness of the feathers and knocked out the slots on the scroll saw and they work great. Try buying them for $2.50 each. Thanks for the idea.

[@MitchellDeitrich]

+Lawrence Withrow Awesome!!!!

[@stevedockery3534]

Great idea Mitch. I will be making one for both my router table & table saw. Thanks very much

[@pmcmva]

Nice project. First time to your channel. I was thinking about using PVC board for my new set of feather sticks for the table saw. I've never used them before. Want to know why I'm going to now? Because two months ago I put my fingers on a piece of stock "out behind the blade" JUST LIKE YOU DO in this video at around 6:35, the work piece kicked back, and dragged my hand back over the blade. Never saw it coming. ER, stitches, chipped bone in the tip of two fingers, nail beds destroyed, scars and messed up sensation in those fingers. Miracle I've still got ten remaining. The "back" of the blade on a table saw is NOT the safe zone. Watching you do it gave me the jeebies. I just want to give you a shoutout and a word of warning to all your viewers.... I've subbed your channel. I like your style. But PLEASE, use a push stick, and use those nice feather sticks in front of AND BEHIND the cut. Keep your left hand just.... the heck away. (Jimmy Diresta had a similar accident.)

[@MitchellDeitrich]

+Paul Wow Paul I can only say Thank you for the advice! I have had a couple kick backs on the table saw and yes I'm young and dumb. I use a lot of pine that should not be cut on a table saw. It is warped and I continue to do so. Honestly lately I have been gun shy of the table saw and router table. I like having my fingers.. A LOT. The shot you are referring to is me being more concerned about view angle and not my safety. I never considered that. Thank you again!!

[@ldwithrow08]

I fed my right little fingertip into a table saw twice. Lucky I still have it but the nail looks really gross. Featherboards go a long way to making a radial arm saw a lot safer too.

[@MitchellDeitrich]

+Lawrence Withrow man sorry to hear that. This is the stuff that truly is good to know yet awful to hear about.

[@ldwithrow08]

That's nothing. Almost sixty years ago I had a Jr. High shop teacher who went by the nickname "Stumpy". Really made us kids think about safety.

[@ldwithrow08]

Paul: When I have to rip low grade pine on the table saw or radial arm saw I keep a few shim wedges like you use to align door jambs by the saw. I insert one in the cut as it comes out of the blade, just deep enough to maintain cut width. Putting one every foot or so will let you rip a really long piece without pinching and kickback. I use a lot of cull lumber and this has always worked well for me. Between that and a couple of feather boards, it's a lot safer.

[@JunkPileOMatic]

awesome. I never see anyone using fingerboards anymore. a great tool to use and have.Now I have a use for that PVC board I find in the dumpster all the time.

[@MitchellDeitrich]

+Junk Pile O Matic lol thanks! Just trying to be safer. We'll see if I can remember to use them wen needed;)

[@JunkPileOMatic]

always be safer. inspiration does get in the way of safty sometimes .but, safty always leaves more time for inspiration. (I wasn't trying to be philosophical ,it just happens sometimes lol.

[@jonbishop1385]

Best on KZbin to date ! Great Job Mitch of the making of the featherboard and the filming of this video

[@MitchellDeitrich]

+Jon Bishop Thanks! I appreciate it a lot.

[@stephenater9687]

New subscriber and a novice ww but an old man. I have used pvc for sled rails on a used (old) sears router table which I used Gorilla const. adhesive to attach to the table and then built a sled with slides to match the rails...glides real well. Just bought a piece to make runners for a crate of vinyl lps but it is not a slick as the earlier AZEK. Slick is needed. Make sure you get the kind that is textured on one side. Great vid. and great design. Thanks!

[@hyselwatchandclockrepair1874]

Awesome video! Thanks so very much! I am recovering from getting the tips of fingers nicked, definite wake up call. Making these finger boards now. Thanks again for clear instructions!

[@Shoerona]

They turned out great, Mitch! Looks like that PVC was a good choice.

[@MitchellDeitrich]

+Make With Dad Thanks! Yeah I'm pretty happy with them. Haven't used them much but I think they will hold up well.

[@aimeeeckman1]

Probably one of the best DIY videos I've seen:) If this guy isn't a teacher, he should be!!

[@mmgross144]

I LIKE IT! You have a new subscriber in me. Nice ingenuity! Just a note, on my old Bench Dog featherboards, the first time is slightly shorter than the rest, which I used to index to the work-piece when I set them up. This ensures proper tension. Keep up the great work!

[@labsquadmedia176]

That jig is brilliant. Thanks for sharing.

[@bernym4047]

Very well produced vid. Thanks. The best cutting jig/sled I have seen.

[@MichaelLawing]

Awesome project, Mitch! They look better than a lot of the production models I've been looking at!

[@MitchellDeitrich]

Thanks Michael. I was gonna buy a few but seemed like to have a variety, one has to spend a small fortune. Like clamps I guess.

[@shaweehillsworkshop4226]

Just found your channel from a comment on vintage wood workshop's shed tour. Great Job man, you definitely got a subscriber in me!

[@MitchellDeitrich]

+SHAWИEE HILLS Cool thanks glad to hear it!!

[@sassygil6675]

I've purchased PVC board for runners and this will be the second project. Great video. Thank you! Just subscribed!

[@GregoryBeckmanMHAF]

really cool idea and project. now I need to go to the store again.

[@MitchellDeitrich]

lol Thanks! good luck ;)

[@RobbBirch]

I expected to read the usual “pvc is deadly” comments 1,000 times…anyway, great job brother!

[@sagguharjit88]

Very much unique and you taught very well that how to make them, almost every detail.

[@kryptik0]

The jig is a nice adaptation from box joint jigs.

[@eventosdeanimacionhenrydia8809]

Son exelentes, me encantaron Gracias Amigo por tu vídeo saludos cordiales de Cancún Quintana Roo México 🇲🇽 bendiciones..

[@seanm9554]

Great job Mitch, I will be making some of those myself! And thanks for the heads up on the PVC boards, I have never seen those. I can see them coming in handy quite often.

[@chadpersing5596]

I got a stack of this trim material and it never dawned on me to use for such things..lol awesome idea! Thanks and subbed!

[@tonybp965]

Fantastic editing Mitch. Love your work. You're a fun dude, and make these vids very interesting. I will certainly be making these myself. Thanks for sharing.

[@MitchellDeitrich]

Thank you Tony!

[@nesleyheiney3111]

Great idea I have tons of that stuff for work. Also those bits are amazing I had to get a few when I was making shutters I made 28 shutters and that bit was a life saver. Thanks for the idea.

[@MitchellDeitrich]

Thanks! I stumbled on it at the hardware store and had to try it. Glad I did. I also see they make a thinner version too. Yes those bits are a life saver! That straight cut bit scared the crap out of me when it jerked one out of my hand as soon as I hit start on the router. Was my fault but made me a bit gun shy....

[@nesleyheiney3111]

Yep lol I broke two straight bits before I decided to switch over and it was well worth it

[@robsplaylist]

Thanks for the video! I made the same basic jig using an L bracket screwed into the support and cut mine out of MDF because I had it laying around. Works great!

[@paulbuckeljr8870]

Really​ nice! I have an oddball table saw and I was struggling with making a custom feather board. This is great, subscribed!

[@MitchellDeitrich]

Thanks Paul!

[@ginoasci]

you must be friends with Frank Makes. i like those pvc feather boards, they look cool and work great. it's nice to just push and pull the work piece without worrying about keeping it against the fence. i think ill make one or two. nice job.

[@MitchellDeitrich]

Oh man Frank Howarth is so cool! I realized after the fact he uses the Makes on his name like some others.... Really tho he is in a league of his own! (Frank is amazing at stop motion work). Yes, I'm supper happy with this pvc stuff for fearherboards thanks for watching Gino! ;)

[@ManCrafting]

Great little project. Apparently I'm not the only one who thinks so. Great seeing this video getting so much attention bud.

[@MitchellDeitrich]

+ManCraftingTM thanks. Yeah it's kinda nice getting so much positive feedback on a project.

[@danamoose1234]

Nice end product, looks like a fun project!

[@beehappywoodworkingandhone439]

well done. would make some great push sticks to go with the feather boards. gust a idea. because I saw where you siad you still wanted to get inthere with your hands to push the test board thru.

[@MitchellDeitrich]

thats a great idea! they make this stuff in a thinner version as well might have to keep that in mind!

[@PCPAyLOAD]

I have that same el cheapo Task Force tape measure. Think it was a few dollars and has outlasted several that were 3x the price!

[@JimmiePorterAtStuartArts]

A nice design and a great result. I need to make these!

[@MitchellDeitrich]

Thanks Jimmie!

[@claytonrealist8868]

Good video and the easiest way to make them I have seen.

[@jayross6588]

Coolest shopmade featherboards hands down

[@MitchellDeitrich]

This is a basic template I made drive.google.com/file/d/0B8_FJDOeo4mBS1BWWVFkb3FVLU0/view?usp=sharing This is the Sketch Up file I made drive.google.com/file/d/0B8_FJDOeo4mBdjRHNjJnWjBNTmc/view?usp=sharing

[@barryroberts6470]

Thanks for the PDF Plan. Barry (ENG)

[@DesertBumWoodWorkn]

Cool design on the longer one Mitch!

[@MitchellDeitrich]

Thank you

[@Woodified]

I like this idea. Thanks for sharing Mitch.

[@MitchellDeitrich]

+Woodified you welcome and thanks for watching:)

[@heyimamaker]

Those look much better than the cheap plastic ones in the store!

[@JWAM]

Excellent! Really pro-looking feather boards right there! Fantastic! :)

[@MitchellDeitrich]

Thanks dude!

[@gsh319]

That was a great job and video. Real nice work.

[@giovannisanfilippo4842]

Brilliant! Never heard of that plank product.

[@MitchellDeitrich]

+Giovanni Sanfilippo thank you! honestly I bad not either untill I stumbled on it at Lowes.

[@danthemakerman]

This is a cool idea man. Way to think out of the box.

[@MitchellDeitrich]

Thanks Dan. Figure most people make them out of wood or buy them made of plastic....lol

[@Mrfreezeee1]

Very good ideal you ve got there compared to the prices they charge for plastic feather board for that i say thumbs up !

[@SteveFrenchWoodNStuff]

Great stuff, Mitch. Thanks for the construction tips.

[@Cesco828]

Hey Mitch great jig thanks a lot for sharing

[@MrTimbike2]

McMaster.com has a selection of differant size t-nuts that should fit your t track. I got some for my drill press from there.

[@geeznogoodname]

SWEET! Makes me want to do up several and give them away as gifts! Of course I would make some for me as well! :) Thanks!

[@stephandallons3282]

Looks great ! It seems to be easy to work on that material.

[@MitchellDeitrich]

thank you! yes cuts like butter ;) well maybe cold butter...

[@exportedafrican]

I must have thrown out tons off cuts lately. Won't happen again! Thanks for the tip

[@timmeyer3659]

Definitely going to make me a few of these. Thanks for the idea.

[@MitchellDeitrich]

Absolutely! Thanks for watching

[@ephraimvivian1]

Its excellent material got make couple them feather boards great video

[@VintageWoodWorkshop]

awesome job, Mitch!👍👍very helpful.... time to try making some of these!

[@MitchellDeitrich]

+Vintage Wood Workshop right on!! Thanks :)

[@rhshel]

a wonderful video and a great piece or use of that material. I'm checking out Lowes, and they are proud to give you a 10% military discount for VETS.

[@ChappysGarage]

I like it. How has the PVC held up over time? My only concern is PVC trim boards are not really strong when the are cut thin like the fingers. They holding up well? Even if they don't last forever I suppose as long as you have the jig you can make more!

[@opasworkshop8373]

way to go Mitch I like your train of thought on this one hell if you went out and bought a feather board it would cost you more probably than that whole Board of PVC Did. Nice job brother!

[@MitchellDeitrich]

My thoughts exactly! Thanks Opa!

[@HeathKnuckles_Tasty_Timber]

Awesome work Mitch! Those will come in handy for sure! 🤘👌

[@MitchellDeitrich]

I think so too. So many times I need another set of hands. Thanks Heath!

[@billg7813]

Liked and subscribed.... I'm going to make a few like yours and also a few that will accommodate Magswitch hold downs

[@MitchellDeitrich]

+Bill G Thanks! I really happy with these myself.

[@zulkarnainshinn2307]

Thanks. This idea will save me a lot of money.

[@Pooya-kyani]

that was very cool, clean and beautiful 👍

[@molliesdad4702]

Impressive!! I think I will head to Lowes and make a purchase. Any possibility of sharing your "jig" design?? I am curious about what appears to be a metal piece set at 30 degrees? How did you fasten it to the jig, etc?? Would appreciate knowing. Thanks and keep the vid's coming.

[@KySilverfish]

Molliesdad Dad - He made it out of a piece of aluminum and used epoxy to hold it in place.

[@Crooks103]

Excellent piece of gear, nice one

[@sgsax]

This is an awesome idea. And now I'm subscribed.

[@MitchellDeitrich]

+Seth Galitzer Thank you Seth

[@Yourtrashmytreasure]

Mitch you're a genius. I would buy those👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@MitchellDeitrich]

+Your trash my treasure Thanks Lou! But no need to stroke​ my ego.....lol. my #2 gets a big head about comments like that.

[@catchetharris7978]

Cool. I agree with you. Also believe they are better than board.

[@BronkBuilt]

Functional and look nice as well.

[@ripersioassuncao5592]

Parabéns! Belo trabalho! Que material usou para criar? Esse material que parece uma tábua branca

[@MarkPrimavera]

Great jig Mitch - i'm trying to figure out how you attached the aluminum guide in the jig.

[@MitchellDeitrich]

I used epoxy. I also roughed it up a little with sandpaper

[@marcellemay7721]

Why didn't I think of this. I guess maybe I thought that the PVC would not be tough enough to hold up to daily use and abuse. I have scraps of this stuff that I've been holding onto for years from exterior trim jobs that I've done. How are they holdin up 5 yrs later?

[@donfillenworth1721]

Great idea! Thanks for sharing

[@summerswoodworking]

Heck yeah man! what a great idea!!! loved the ending!

[@MitchellDeitrich]

Hey man! Thanks & thanks for stopping by and checking it out

[@FranksDIY]

Great job and they look good too

[@eltacanguita]

Nice Mitch makes good jobs I like blesses

[@wanik4]

I'm completely new to all this stuff. Would it be difficult to cut 5-10 evenly spaced lines like the two on each end of your featherboards to make them look perfect? What would the method for that be? Thank you.

[@WoodenCreationz]

Very cool Mitch!!

[@MitchellDeitrich]

Thanks dude!

[@jrfun4647]

another great video-informationaL-how to all in one, thank you!

[@MitchellDeitrich]

Hey thanks & thank you for checking it out

[@tooljunkie555]

good stuff man! they work really good!

[@MitchellDeitrich]

Joe! Thanks buddy!

[@TonyV_in_the_OC]

Great ingenuity, new sub!

[@mfwoodshop]

Great idea, I'll be doing this one

[@MitchellDeitrich]

Thanks Mike!

[@reddog907]

Super nice project, Thanks.