In the world of woodworking, safety and precision go hand in hand. Whether you’re using a table saw, router table, or band saw, one of the most effective ways to protect yourself and your project is with proper workholding accessories—starting with the humble but powerful featherboard.
At Infinity Tools, we offer a carefully curated lineup of featherboards, workpiece holders, and hold-downs from industry-leading brands like Magswitch, Milescraft, BOW Products, Jessem, and more. These tools help keep your stock steady, your cuts clean, and your fingers well away from blades and bits.
Let’s take a closer look at why featherboards are a must-have in every shop—and how to choose the right type for your setup.
Why Use Featherboards in Your Shop?
A featherboard applies lateral or vertical pressure to a workpiece, holding it tight against a fence or tabletop during cuts. The benefits?
- Improved Safety – Prevents kickback and minimizes accidental blade contact
- Cleaner Cuts – Ensures straight, consistent pressure for better edge quality
- Greater Control – Lets you focus on guiding the work, not forcing it against the fence
When you combine a featherboard with other workholding solutions like hold-down clamps and small workpiece holders, you get a safer, more efficient workflow—especially for repetitive or precision tasks.
The 3 Types of Featherboards (And Why It Matters)
Understanding the types of featherboards can help you choose the right tool for the job:
1. Rigid Fingered Featherboards
Made from high-strength plastic or wood, these traditional featherboards feature a row of angled fingers that provide firm resistance as the workpiece moves forward. They’re ideal for:
- Table saws and router tables
- Straight edge cuts and rips
- Hardwood and larger stock
Brands to Look For:
- Milescraft – Affordable, reliable rigid featherboards with single and dual configurations
-
Magswitch Universal Featherboard Pro – Micro-adjustable for high precision
2. Flexible Fingered Featherboards
These feature resilient fingers that flex and conform slightly to the workpiece. They offer more forgiveness than rigid versions and work especially well with:
- Uneven or warped stock
- Veneers or softwoods
- Delicate or figured wood
Brands to Look For:
- BOW Products FeatherPRO and FeatherDUO – EVA foam fingers that compress and rebound for maximum safety and stock control
3. Flexible Rubber Blade Featherboards
A newer generation of featherboards, these models use wide, flexible rubber blades instead of rigid or fingered profiles. The rubber blades provide consistent, even pressure across a broad contact surface—ideal for reducing surface marring, tear-out, or inconsistent pressure on delicate or uneven stock.
Flexible rubber blade featherboards are especially effective on:
- Softwoods and veneered materials
- Workpieces with uneven or curved edges
- Operations where you want a gentler touch without sacrificing hold
- Vertical bandsaw work, such as resawing
Top Picks Include:
- BOW Products GuidePro Extension Kit – Extends the reach of your GuidePRO for smoother, more consistent pressure on taller resaw cuts.
- BOW Products GuidePro Resaw Featherboard for Bandsaws – Applies constant side pressure for cleaner, straighter resawing with reduced drift and chatter.
Featured Brands & Their Featherboard Innovations
Magswitch Featherboards
These magnetic featherboards are loved for their fast, flexible setup—no miter slot required. Perfect for cast iron table saws, band saws, and router tables.
- Magswitch Universal Featherboard Pro – Micro-adjustable for high precision
- Magswitch Reversible Featherboard – Dual-sided rubber blades for horizontal or vertical hold
BOW Products
Using exclusive EVA foam fingers, BOW featherboards reduce kickback and marring while increasing rebound force.
- FeatherPRO FP1 – Flexible EVA fingers with superior control
- FeatherDUO FP3 – Stackable for taller stock or tandem use
- FencePRO FP4 – Designed for vertical hold-down on fences and router tables
Milescraft Featherboards
A great entry-level choice, Milescraft featherboards come with hardware for T-slots and standard miter tracks.
- FeatherBoard (1406) – Classic rigid design
- Dual FeatherBoard (1407) – Double the contact area, ideal for band saws and thick materials
Jessem Stock Guides
While not traditional featherboards, Jessem’s Clear-Cut Stock Guides function similarly by applying constant pressure via roller bearings. Precision-machined and fence-mounted, they’re a favorite for pro router tables and high-end saw fences.
Small Workpiece Holders & Hold-Downs: Don’t Overlook These
While featherboards provide lateral and vertical pressure, small workpiece holders and mechanical hold-downs add even more safety and control—especially on a router table.
The Infinity Tools Small Workpiece Holder is perfect for routing small parts that are otherwise too risky to handle by hand. With its ergonomic grip, anti-slip pad, and integrated guard, it acts like a second set of hands, keeping you protected and precise.
Use it in conjunction with:
- Featherboards for edge pressure
- Fence-mounted vertical hold-downs
- Push sticks and safety blocks
Together, these workholding accessories create a safe, controlled environment for routing, shaping, and detail work.
Choosing the Right Setup for Your Workflow
Here’s a quick reference to help you build your ideal workholding system:
| Tool Type | Recommended Solution |
|---|---|
| Table Saw | Rigid featherboard (Milescraft, Jessem) |
| Router Table | Vertical hold-down (BOW FencePRO, Jessem) + Infinity Workpiece Holder |
| Band Saw | Flexible rubber blade (Magswitch) or Dual Featherboard |
| Small Parts | Infinity Workpiece holder + featherboard combo |
| Veneered Stock | EVA flexible fingers (BOW FeatherPRO) |
Shop Featherboards, Workpiece Holders & Hold-Downs at Infinity Tools
From magnetic Magswitch models to EVA-engineered BOW featherboards and versatile Milescraft options, we have the perfect workholding solution for your needs. Don't forget to add the Infinity Small Workpiece Holder to your cart—it’s a must-have for precision routing and small part shaping.
