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which magnetic featherboard to buy?

which magnetic featherboard to buy? (post #169365)

popawheelie on Wed, 11/23/2011 - 09:21

Jigs, Fixtures, Tips & Tricks

I want to buy a featherboard primarily for my tablesaw and am not sure which one to buy.

I figure a magnetic one is faster to set up and is more versitile because I can

put it anywhere on my cast iron table.

Looking at them I notice some claim to be more versitile than others.

I don't want to buy just to find out it has limitation that others don't have.

I looked briefly at the magswitch and the grip tite.

I guess it is one featherboard I want but a versitile system.

Which one? Thanks!

"There are three kinds of men: The one that learns by reading, the few who learn by observation and the rest of them have to pee on the electric fence for themselves."
Will Rogers

desired function (post #169365, reply #1 of 8)

by RalphBarker in reply to popawheelie [original] on Thu, 11/24/2011 - 08:07

One additional thing to consider: do you also want the featherboard to function as an anti-kickback device? If so, would you trust a magnet for that purpose?

is control a function? (post #169365, reply #2 of 8)

by popawheelie in reply to RalphBarker [original] on Fri, 11/25/2011 - 11:38

If i have a higher control of the workpiece as it goes through the cutting opperation

it will be less likely to have a kickback. Stopping kickback before it happens.

Once kickback starts there is considerable force generated.

My main purpose for using featherboards is to control the piece for more acurate

milling. The anti kickback is an added feature though. But it shouldn't happen if

the piece is controlled.

"There are three kinds of men: The one that learns by reading, the few who learn by observation and the rest of them have to pee on the electric fence for themselves."
Will Rogers

magnetic is fine (post #169365, reply #3 of 8)

by bones in reply to popawheelie [original] on Sat, 11/26/2011 - 07:45

I use a lot of them and love em. I have several of the Magswitch at woodcrafter. To maximize bennefit I bought the one that you can flip the featherboard so you can use it on both sides of the blade. I share it with my bandsaw ts and bought a metal plate at lowes so I could use it with the routertabel that has a laminate top (just clamp it down). Trust me once those magnets are secured it ain't going no where. I just recently added the stackable attachment so I could have a tall featherboard to hold my stock tight against the fence on the RT. They aint cheap but a dream to use and I just store them on the side of the TS. you can buy just the magnets and make your own featherboard. I'm looking to buy a couple for some jigs I've got in mind.

...For that old machine lovers: http://vintagemachinery.org/home.aspx

Thank you! (post #169365, reply #4 of 8)

by popawheelie in reply to bones [original] on Sat, 11/26/2011 - 08:49

I've decided to buy localy so i can look at them before i buy.

We have a woodcraft store nearby.

"There are three kinds of men: The one that learns by reading, the few who learn by observation and the rest of them have to pee on the electric fence for themselves."
Will Rogers

magnetic is fine (post #169365, reply #5 of 8)

by bones in reply to popawheelie [original] on Sat, 11/26/2011 - 20:30

...For that old machine lovers: http://vintagemachinery.org/home.aspx

Hold-Ins (post #169365, reply #6 of 8)

by Dunwright in reply to popawheelie [original] on Sat, 05/05/2012 - 10:21

Look at it as either pushing or pulling. Since the overwhelming percentage of the time you are most interested in keeping the piece between the blade and the fence; why not concentrate on controling this area.

The product I am recommending is called "Board Mates" (originally, "Board Buddies, in the early 80's, when I bought mine). They come in three flavors, Yellow wheels (CW rotation) for the TS, Orange wheels (CCW rotation) for a RAS, and Green wheels (free wheeling) for the shaper.

Installs with a track to the rip fence, both rollers have adjustable 'hold down" pressure. The 'outfeed' roller can be set to control a 1/4" ripped strip. Once mounted to my TS fence, they remain in place for 90% of cuts, the RAS catches the crosscut work.

See the attached jpeg for more.

Arlington, Texas (The dash in Dallas-Fort Worth) Practice...'till you can do it right the first time.

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	BBUDDIES.jpg	93.71 KB

Which one ? (post #169365, reply #7 of 8)

by BruceS in reply to popawheelie [original] on Tue, 05/08/2012 - 07:27

This is my choice. http://www.eagleamerica.com/product/v420...

The universal model. Because you can use it on either side of the fence and also use it on your jointer.

I believe Woodcraft has them too.

Work Safe, Count to 10 when your done for the day !!

Bruce S.

My brother had those mounted (post #169365, reply #8 of 8)

by popawheelie in reply to popawheelie [original] on Tue, 05/08/2012 - 07:50

My brother had those mounted on his table saw.

I went ahead and bought some magnetic featherboards.

I might end up buying a stock feeder. I like the idea of have a steady and consistant feed rate.

I have a shaper and will be building some doors so the stock feeder would be handy.

"There are three kinds of men: The one that learns by reading, the few who learn by observation and the rest of them have to pee on the electric fence for themselves."
Will Rogers