Magswitch Woodworking Starter Kit - Featherboard & Push Block

I use this on my table saw, which has a heavy cast iron table. I’ve been woodworking for over 40 years and have used many different kinds of feather boards, and there’s no question this is the best design. Sets up in a snap, no fussing to adjust position, and it holds its position like iron. It’s all due to the clever, positionable magnetic hold downs, which turn on and off with the flip of a switch. So, you slide the feather board to where you need it, flip the switches, and voila, you have a rock solid helper positioned exactly where you need it. The only drawback is that I can’t use it on my router table, which is made of MDF. Every once in a while you come across a really great piece of engineering, and this is it.

The magswitch works very well. The knobs are easy to turn and once set the unit does not move. It is easy to reset at as well. I bought the fence with the little rollers on it and that was simple to set up and is 90 degrees to the table from the start. No problems. I have arthritis and turning knobs isn't easy, so this unit makes adjustments much easier for me. Putting the magswitch together is quick and fairly straight forward. Once the screws are in you are ready to go. August 8, 2015 update: I was having trouble using the magswitch at my drill press because the fence attachment would interfere with the chuck. I took the fence off and turned the magswitch around so the little projections faced away from the bit. That turned the magswitch base into a short fence that worked great with my drill press. I have also made two other fences out of wood by drilling holes at the points where the projections come out of the magswitch base. Once pressed on the fences hold position very well. Use a caliper to measure the projections diameter for your drill bit and be aware that the projections taper. My holes were ⅜ up from the base and drilled with a 5/16 sized drill bit with a drill press. AD2

The magswitches are awesome. This thing has made it trivial to cut thin stock and do close-to-the-fence work I wouldn't have tried otherwise. Being able to position the featherboard right against the wood--and reposition quickly and easily--has made precise work so much easier. So why not five stars? Value for money, I guess. I have the smaller reversible featherboard and it's just as good and easier to use. The magnets on this one seem stronger, but I wasn't disappointed with the strength on the smaller ones. I thought I might end up expanding this with some of the other accessories, but every time I shop the magswitch accessory line I end up feeling like I could buy or build equivalent jigs for so much less than what these guys charge for what is, after all, just a bunch of molded plastic. That said... I assume magswitch has a patent, since nobody else is selling these things. So I'll pay their price, because their mag jigs are just so incredibly cool and useful.

The Magswitch collection always seemed to be too expensive and after researching the product I decided to give it a try. I actually save money with this bundled starter kit and vertical featherboards. The magnetd are very powerful and are amazingly versatile. I save so much set-up time. I have a pile of featherboards, and fence mounted rollers that I just don't need anymore. This is my new favorite tool!

I've had this three days and have used it to help rip 3/4 plywood and 3/4 oak on the table saw and a little re-sawing on the bandsaw. Works like a dream and takes seconds to set up. Used it to rout 3/4 oak trim pieces on the Bench Dog router table extension to the table saw. Setup takes seconds and the magswitch holds its position without any creep. The time saved in setting up this feather-board is significant. Indeed, the wider plywood pieces would not allow the use of conventional feather-boards in table saw slots. I came to Amazon a few minutes ago and ordered a second set--the one with a vertical feather-board attachment and another vertical attachment for the one I am using now. Both the table saw and router applications should benefit from a pair with one on each side of the saw-blade. The router application especially should benefit from a horizontal and vertical feather-board on both in-feed and out-feed sides. So far this is the most useful purchased attachment for both router table and table saw that I own. I will review the vertical attachment after I've used it a bit.

This product is wonderful, simple to use and just great in every way. I had read about these and thought I would pick one up but the price seemed a bit high (which for the record I still believe). Hanging around a friends shop I noticed he had the same Magswitch starter kit and he commented on how much he liked it. So my amazing bride (who for some reason seems more concerned with my safety than I do) picked up this product as a Christmas present. I was skeptical at first due to the price and the practicality. I have never been a feather board 'user' in the past and have made it to nearly 50 with all of my fingers, so why did I need a $75 gadget at this point in the game. On my first use I fell in love and there's no going back. I am now a feather board 'user' to the max. It's not just about the safety aspect (although I am realizing that having all of my fingers makes for a better grandpa now that I am one). But my cuts are more accurate and smoother even on my old Craftsman table saw. So go for it, pick this dude up and see for yourself. I'm budgeting for a second one, I like it that much.

Improves safety for my table saw along with more accurate cuts

Clamping force is pretty rock solid on cast iron tables. I don't know how well it will resist moving out of position while ripping long heavy lengths of 8/4 or 12/4 stock, but i feel more comfortable with it pressuring and controlling the 3/4 to 6/4 boards I usually work with when I apply this gadget as a board moves through the saw. Great ease of use, just twiddle the knobs. The plastic "feathers" seem to exert just the right amount of force. This is essentially a ripping/resawing accessory. If you are doing much ripping of solid hardwood make sure you're using a purpose made ripping blade. Ripping with combination blades sucks. Then add one or two of these featherboard beauties and you're practically a furniture factory.

I have purchased this setup in order to increase my safety precautons in difficult table saw setups. It is a bit expensive but the overall structure seems to justify it. However, be absolutely sure that your table/saw or bandsaw/or router table is made of solid iron before order it. ie. my contracto job saw (DW745) does not support it because the table surface is made from no cast iron alloy. :(

N'adhère pas sur ma table de scie circulaire. Pour moi inutilisable et ma defonceuse est installé sur mon établi en bois. Domage

I am very impressed with how easy it is to use the Magswitch system and how strong the magnet is on this device. When you price out the parts individually, this kit is a bargain, so I bought two and some other attachments. It is easy to attach and remove any of the jigs so I do not consume a lot time setting up a jig and then removing it between cuts. I should have put my money towards this device in the first place rather than first buying a conventional feather board jig that has to be inserted into the table saw tracks.

Lo primero que llama la atención es la enorme fuerza con que los imanes se agarran a la superficie de hierro, uno solo es capaz de levantar la sierra. el plástico es de gran calidad y está mecanizado con precisión. La pega es que resulta caro.

Actuation is super smooth allowing precise placement. Magnetic force in the dual 150's spans my mitre slot. Reversible featherboard. Excellent plastics quality.