Ryobi RTS20 - Manual (Page 23)

23
OPERATION
CUTTING AIDS
See Figure 22.
Push sticks are devices that may be used for pushing a
workpiece through the blade in any rip cut. When making
non-through cuts or ripping narrow stock, always use a
push stick, push block, and/or featherboard so your hands
do not come within 3 inches of the saw blade. They can be
made in various sizes and shapes from scrap wood and
used in a specific project. The stick must be narrower than
the workpiece, with a 90˚ notch in one end and shaping for
a grip on the other end.
A push block has a handle fastened by recessed screws
from the underside. Use push blocks for narrow cuts and
all non-through cuts.
CAUTION:
Be sure the screws in a push block are recessed to avoid
damaging the saw or workpiece.
AUXILIARY FENCE
An auxiliary fence is a device used to close the gap between
the rip fence and the saw table. Always make and use and
auxiliary fence when ripping material 1/8 in. or thinner.
HOW TO MAKE AND ATTACH AN AUXILIARY
F E N C E ( F O R R I P C U T T I N G T H I N
WORKPIECE)
See Figure 23.
Rip fence holes are used to secure an auxiliary fence which
requires a piece of wood 3/4 in. thick, 3-1/2 in. wide, and
21 in. long to make.
To attach the auxiliary fence to the rip fence:

Place the wood against the rip fence and resting firmly
on the saw table.
 From the back side of the rip fence, secure the wood to
the fence using 1-3/4 in. wood screws.
HOW TO MAKE A JIG (FOR RIP CUTTING
NARROW WORKPIECE)
See Figure 24.
If ripping a narrow workpiece places the hands too close to
the blade, it will be necessary to make and use a jig.
To make a jig:

Attach a handle to a long, straight piece of wood and
secure from the underside using recessed screws.
 Cut an L-shaped stop in the side of the jig.
To use a jig:

Position the workpiece flat on the table with the edge
flush against the jig and against the stop.
 Holding the jig handle and using a push block and/or push
stick, make the rip cut as described on page 31 later in
this section.
PUSH BLOCKS
PUSH STICKS
Fig. 22
Fig. 23
3/4 in.
3 1/2 in.
21 in.
Fig. 24
JIG
JIG
HANDLE
STOP