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Shop Tip #218
© Frank Ford 2006; Photo by FF

Here I'm cutting a series of short sections from a long stick of maple.  When I come to the very last piece, I would have serious difficulty holding the stubby little end against my miter gauge without compromising accuracy or safety.  So I reach for the nearest long scrap (in this case a piece of wenge) and simply place it against the front of my miter gauge.  When I hold the short end of my work against it with my push stick, the long piece gives good support through the cut.  I don't even have to hold the support piece against the miter gauge with my left hand. . .