Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 7 hours ago
When you make a cut on a table saw or miter saw, as long as you’re not cutting a really small piece of stock, it doesn’t much matter which side of the board you’re holding.
But the moment you add a stop block… everything changes.
A stop block creates a pinch point between it and the blade. As long as you’re holding the side that’s actually touching the stop block, everything’s fine…that side is supported and can’t move.
Hold the other side, and one little vibration can let the blade grab the off-cut — and when it does, it feels like you’re in the front row seat of a woodshop bomb going off.
But that’s the real trick, isn’t it? How do we use a stop block when our pieces are tiny and need to be held down?
A simple method is to make a thin “stop stick” with a handle on the end. Add a bit of rubber tubing or tracker carpet runner for grip, and you can safely hold the stop-block side down on the table saw.
For small pieces cut with a miter saw, always clamp the long, supported side of your board — the side opposite the stop block. Then use your thin stop stick to hold the stop-block side down so your hands stay far from the blade.
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*MAKER TEAM*
Michelle B
Keith Current
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Tutor the Barbarian
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Nukebert
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Aaron Knows DIY
G. Salazar
David B.
Marc B.
Richard B.
Ben. K
Bill Patterson
Make Things
#MakeThings #mtbitesize
When you make a cut on a table saw or miter saw, as long as you’re not cutting a really small piece of stock, it doesn’t much matter which side of the board you’re holding.
But the moment you add a stop block… everything changes.
A stop block creates a pinch point between it and the blade. As long as you’re holding the side that’s actually touching the stop block, everything’s fine…that side is supported and can’t move.
Hold the other side, and one little vibration can let the blade grab the off-cut — and when it does, it feels like you’re in the front row seat of a woodshop bomb going off.
But that’s the real trick, isn’t it? How do we use a stop block when our pieces are tiny and need to be held down?
A simple method is to make a thin “stop stick” with a handle on the end. Add a bit of rubber tubing or tracker carpet runner for grip, and you can safely hold the stop-block side down on the table saw.
For small pieces cut with a miter saw, always clamp the long, supported side of your board — the side opposite the stop block. Then use your thin stop stick to hold the stop-block side down so your hands stay far from the blade.
Check out my other channel! → @makethingswithrob
Become a patron! → patreon.com/makethings ←
Huge thank you to my patrons that keep this thing going!
*MAKER TEAM*
Michelle B
Keith Current
Rich Lightfoot
Tutor the Barbarian
Aubrey G.
Nukebert
Sam W.
Aaron Knows DIY
G. Salazar
David B.
Marc B.
Richard B.
Ben. K
Bill Patterson
Make Things
#MakeThings #mtbitesize
