A featherboard is a tool used to help keep stock against a fence while you're cutting it. There are many different ways to make a featherboard, but they all essentially do the same thing.
The most important thing to consider when placing a featherboard is the direction of the cut. You want the featherboard to be pushing the stock against the fence in the direction that the blade is moving. This will help prevent the stock from moving and getting out of alignment.
There are a few different ways to attach a featherboard to your fence. The most common way is to use clamps. You can also use screws or nails, but these can be more difficult to remove later on.
Once you have the featherboard in place, you can adjust the pressure to get the desired amount of pressure on the stock. This will help keep the stock from moving and help you get a cleaner, more accurate cut.