Anybody use magnetic featherboards for the table saw. The Griptite look ok, but exensive ($40 AT WOODCRAFT).
Anybody make their own? I have a pretty strong magnet that I bought that cleans my fish tank glass (the magnetic portion stays on one side of the glass and the metallic portion is in the water on the other side) and I was thinking of converting them into featherboards. Anyone try this?
thanks
I've tried them and really like them, but haven't plunked down for them yet.
Think about this: A local millwork shop with a bunch of employees "lost" several sets of these before they could keep them around.
Barry
Yes, but when you put that sucker in place, it STAYS in place. I like it because setup is quick, release is quick. does the job.
I have no idea of the magnet strength needed so experimentation is in order. You probably want to incorporate a cam release to be able to move it.
It works very, very well. Compared to regular featherboards that lock into the miter slots, the Griptite is more difficult to position initially, but once put in place it *stays* put. And I find it much easier to install and remove, than twisting a knob to tighten something into the miter slot.
-- Regards, Doug Miller (alphageek at milmac dot com)
Nobody ever left footprints in the sands of time by sitting on his butt. And who wants to leave buttprints in the sands of time?
I have been using Grip-tite's for so long I can't remember not using them. I think they are worth every penny. I also have those wheels that got5 on the fence, the feather boards and various other things but prefer the magnets. Mine are so old they are made out of wood. max
I like my Griptites. They are so easy to position anywhere on the TS. They aren't "cheap", but it's only money! :)
Dave
stoutman wrote:
I have an aluminum fence and table on my Bosch TS. I know they sell steel plates you can attach to your fence so the magnets stick (though I suppose that will mess up all measurements with the fence gauge built in to the table) but what about the table itself?
I am a big fan of the Grip-tite...we use them on the tablesaw and on the jointer as well ....well worth every penny..as far as making a set myself ..I am a woodworker, not a jig and machine maker...I build furniture, I do not have the time or desire to build my own feather boards when I can buy a superior product...my time is worth more than that good luck, Mike from American Sycamore
You're SOL... Clamps, mebbe?
Thanks for your 2-cents, but "I" was the one inquiring as to the DIY magnetic featherboard and "I" do have the time and desire to build my own. I bet I can make one that would do the job for 1/3 the price. Just looking to see if anyone else has tried.
You never made your own jig for woodworking? Do you make your own push sticks or do you buy those as well? Thanks
You can usually adjust the cursor on the fence to compensate. SOL on the table though.
Have made clones of the GripTite with about 6 of the 1in LeeValley super magnets. You DO need to put a cam lever to be able to get it loose from the table top. Used Forstner bits to drill the recesses for the magnets and the metal carriers for the magnets, glued and screwed to hold in place, then put the non-skid adhesive disks to keep it from sliding around
John
You'll note that "HE" is a professional, not a hobbyist like the rest of us. And "HE" makes a living building furniture, where "HE" can pass on the cost of "HIS" purchased jigs or feather boards by incorporating them into "HIS" furniture. Time is money to him, not to us hobbyists. Personally, "I" get a great deal of satisfaction out of my woodworking making both the item and the necessary jigs. But then I also enjoy using hand planes and antique tools like my 1941 Craftsman 24" scroll saw.
bill
I do buy my push sticks...Rocklers and the Grr-Ripper System Micro Jig Inc. Making a push stick that takes less than 2 minutes is quite different that making a magnetic feather board that sells so cheap at less than $40.00. MY time in the shop is so limited and I want to build furniture, not jigs and fixtures. Why waste your precision time building a product when I can buy one cheaper and better made?. I meant no disrespect to you or wanted to upset you in any way. If you have the free time and want to make jigs, go for it. Mike
Had mine for 7 or 8 years now, don't use them all the time, but when i need them i got them......i think they were well worth the investment, bought them at the woodworking show in Milwaukee.
My advice is anyone who has a table saw should have a pair of them.
Bill,
My time in the shop building a piece of furniture for my friends, family, or client is so limited that I must make choices. Do I want to spend all day building a featherboard that I can buy for less than $40.00 or do I want to build a piece of furniture? I meant no disrespect.... I wanted other woodworkers to consider the true cost of building a feather board rather than buying one from such a repetable company as Grip-tite.My name is Mike and you do not have to refer to me as "he". I am just a woodworker trying to make a living.
Mike
Dick, I have the full grip-tite system that includes the pressure rollers and metal fence. I never use them in any other position on the table saw, except mounted on the fence. The roller system works to hold the wood down, as well as pull it against the fence. The rollers are mounted at a slight angle which causes the force to hold the wood against the fence.
I use the grip-tites on all my rip cuts for boards that are longer than about 16". If its 16" or smaller, I use a GRRRipper. I haven't used a conventional push stick on my table saw in so long, I don't know if I remember how.
People say the Grip-tites are expensive. I don't think so. All the components are heavy duty and meant to last through 1000's of cuts. This includes the feathers themselves which are made of Lexan, not plastic as some might think.
Bob
Not sure on featherboards yet, but I just made a fence for my band saw out of 2 x 2" stock and 4 rare earth magnets, (one on each end on the table side, 2 along the fence for the table surface), and it stays put really well..
Not sure on a featherboard, as the force directed on them is sort of a sliding action, and a magnet will slide much easier than it will "pull off"" a surface..
Buy yourself $20 worth of rare earth magnets on Ebay (I like the round disks, because you drill holes for them) and you'll find hundreds of uses for them in the shop.. and have a lot of fun with 'em.. lol
(I gave 2 of them to a neighbor and he put them on a key chain.. last week in Walmart, he had his keys in his pants pocket and stuck to the jewelry counter... the saleslady freaked *g*)
mac
Please remove splinters before emailing
In paragraph one you state you made a fence and it stays well put.
In paragraph tow you mention how a magnet will slide easily.
I'm confused, Won't the fence slide easily? I put a lot of pressure against it when I resaw and I don't think I'd trust a magnet. The force of a featherboard will be the same as on the fence as the wood is pushed between them.
If the fence stays that well put, how do you make very tiny adjustments to it? Ed
Good way to erase the magnetic strip on your credit cards... I generally avoid putting magnets in my pockets.
-j
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