When I’m making rip cuts at the table saw, I like to have the added security of a hold-down supporting my workpieces. This is not only safer but can help make more accurate cuts, as well. My table saw doesn’t have an easy way to attach a commercial hold-down, though. That’s why I decided to make my own. The photo here shows the solution I came up with.
I started with a 3/4" plywood auxiliary fence cut to fit my rip fence. A couple of notches cut in the back side of the fence fit a clamp arm and pivot block. The corners on each piece were cut to shape at the band saw. And the slot in the clamp arm was cut with a jig saw. Rockler’s Universal Fence Clamps hold the assembly in place.
The hold-down is a hardwood piece with a bowed strip of hardwood glued to the bottom edge. I smoothed the transition between the two with a sanding block.
