I wouldn’t dream of using a tablesaw or a bandsaw without a push stick. It’s just not worth the risk of getting my fingers close to a moving sawblade. I keep a bunch of push sticks around my standing power tools, and many of them started out as coat hangers.
A few years ago, I was building a closet system for a client. I had my portable tablesaw on site, and I needed to fashion some push sticks out of scrap when I spotted a spare coat hanger. As shown in the drawings at right, I removed the metal hook, took out the bottom crossbar, and pulled apart the two remaining pieces. I notched these pieces as shown in the drawing and—voilá!— two hand-friendly push sticks were ready. I added a bit of sandpaper to the notch on each one for a better grip.
Gene Dineralter, New London, CT
I use the type without the pants crossbar and are curved towards the front. I pry out the metal closet pole hook and use alcohol to dissolve the glued joint. With appropriate notches at both ends you end up with right and left hand push sticks for large and small work pieces. Thrift stores sell them for little money so you won't have to use SWMBO's hangers. (She Who Must Be Obeyed)