Every well-run woodshop has a few small safety helpers that quietly do the most important work. Push sticks and push blocks are right at the top of that list. They are fast to make, easy to customize from scrap, and worth replacing the moment they get chewed up. Better yet, the best ones are not all the same. Some are shaped for narrow rips at the table saw, some are better for router-table work, and some give you more control on wider stock where grip matters as much as reach.

I went looking for free DIY plans and tutorials that are genuinely useful, easy to verify, and varied enough to help you build a better set for your own shop. The result is this mix of classic push sticks, adjustable designs, and grippy push blocks from a wide range of woodworking creators. If you have been meaning to upgrade your shop safety with a few scrap-wood projects, this is a very good place to start.

Push Stick Templates | Free Plans | PDF Download

Overview: Construct101 offers a practical set of printable push stick templates that you can glue to scrap wood and cut out in an afternoon. The post notes that the printed grid should measure 1 inch for accuracy and recommends straight, knot-free stock, which makes this feel especially approachable for beginners who want a reliable starting point instead of drawing their own shapes from scratch.

Why it is great: It is simple, accessible, and gives you multiple proven shapes in one place.

Link to original plans: https://www.construct101.com/push-stick-templates-free-plans-pdf-download/

Making Table Saw Push Sticks

Overview: Woodgears takes a thoughtful, workshop-tested approach to push stick design, comparing different shapes and explaining how they affect hand position, downward pressure, and control at the saw. Rather than just handing you a template, this article helps you understand why one style may suit your cutting habits better than another, which makes it especially valuable for woodworkers refining their shop setup.

Why it is great: It teaches the reasoning behind the design, not just the outline.

Link to original plans: https://woodgears.ca/table_saw/pushsticks.html

Making a Plywood Push Stick

Overview: John Heisz’s plywood push stick is one of those wonderfully practical shop projects that earns a permanent place near the saw. The build starts with a printable template, uses plywood rather than solid wood for better strength across the handle, and is sized so the printed pattern fills a standard 8.5-inch by 11-inch sheet. It is an easy scrap-wood project, but it also reflects years of real shop use, which gives the design extra credibility.

Why it is great: It is simple, durable, and thoughtfully designed around safe everyday use instead of unnecessary complexity.

Link to original plans: https://ibuildit.ca/projects/plywood-push-stick/

Push Stick Plans

Overview: Craftsmanspace offers drawings for several variants, including notched push sticks and shoe-style push sticks, with a clear emphasis on having the right tool for different machines and different tasks. This is the sort of resource that encourages you to build a small shop collection instead of relying on one universal shape, and that practical mindset makes it especially useful.

Why it is great: It gives you variety, which is exactly what a safer shop needs.

Link to original plans: https://www.craftsmanspace.com/free-projects/push-stick-plans.html

Easy DIY Thin Strip Push Block For The Table Saw

Overview: PlyCreations zeroes in on a very specific problem: making thin strips at the table saw with more control and less drama. The build is designed to cradle the fence, move smoothly with little play, and work well with common shop offcuts and hardware. It is a specialized jig, but a genuinely practical one for woodworkers who regularly mill edging, banding, or other narrow strips.

Why it is great: It solves a real table-saw challenge with a smart, buildable design.

Link to original plans: https://www.plycreations.com/blog/easy-diy-thin-strip-push-block-for-the-table-saw

FREE Push-stick Template

Overview: AlmFab’s free template is direct and refreshingly no-nonsense. It is built around a sturdy, ergonomic everyday push stick for guiding stock safely through table saws, routers, and similar tools. This is the kind of download that works well when you want one dependable pattern you can print, cut, smooth, and put to work right away.

Why it is great: It is straightforward, shop-friendly, and easy to make from common material.

Link to original plans: https://www.almfab.com/store/p/free-push-stick-template

Best Push Stick Ever! With Adjustable Fancy Tail Stock

Overview: April Wilkerson’s take on the push stick adds an adjustable tail section, giving the design more flexibility than the standard fixed profile. The project grew from real shop needs and is presented as a practical, everyday accessory rather than a novelty. For woodworkers who like tools that can adapt to different cuts without becoming overcomplicated, this one is especially appealing.

Why it is great: The adjustable tail adds versatility without making the build feel fussy.

Link to original plans: https://wilkerdos.com/best-best-push-stick-ever-with-adjustable-fancy-tail-stock/

How to Make Push Blocks for Table Saws, Router Tables and Jointers

Overview: This WoodWorkWeb tutorial focuses on push blocks rather than push sticks, with an emphasis on good-quality plywood, removable bases, foam backing, and anti-skid material. That combination makes the design feel more like a tailored shop upgrade than a disposable accessory. It is especially useful for router tables, jointers, and wider stock where grip and stability are the main concern.

Why it is great: It is practical, adaptable, and intentionally designed for grip.

Link to original plans: https://www.woodworkweb.com/woodworking-videos-1/general-woodworking-videos/705-shop-made-push-blocks.html

The Perfect Push Sticks, Push Blocks, and Sanding Blocks

Overview: Timber Biscuit Woodworks takes a systems approach, bundling push sticks, push blocks, and sanding blocks into one coordinated shop project. The article explains why different pushing devices suit different situations and includes multiple designs rather than a single catch-all shape. It is a strong option for readers who want to build out a complete safety kit instead of making one accessory at a time.

Why it is great: It helps you build a better overall shop system, not just one tool.

Link to original plans: https://timberbiscuitwoodworks.com/blog/the-perfect-push-sticks-push-blocks-and-sanding-blocks

Favorite Table Saw Push Stick

Overview: Popular Woodworking’s longtime favorite push stick is made from 3/4-inch hardwood plywood and built around a few smart, safety-minded details: a heel at the back, no slick finish, and a slightly forward-angled handle that helps apply downward and forward pressure at the same time. The article also includes a full-size drawing, which makes this a particularly easy design to copy accurately.

Why it is great: It is compact, proven, and built around excellent table-saw control.

Link to original plans: https://www.popularwoodworking.com/techniques/favorite-table-saw-push-stick/

The nicest thing about this group of free plans is that it does not force one definition of the “best” push stick or push block. Instead, it shows what experienced woodworkers already know: the right safety aid depends on the cut. A classic hooked push stick is perfect for many narrow rips, a grippy push block shines on wider stock and router-table work, and a specialized fence-riding jig can make thin-strip cutting feel far more controlled.

That is why these projects are worth making. They are small, fast, and inexpensive, but they change the way a shop works. Build two or three of the styles above, keep them close at hand, and replace them without hesitation when they wear out. It is one of the easiest upgrades you can make to your woodworking routine, and one of the smartest.

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