Magswitch STARTER KIT Includes Base, 2 Mag Jig 150, Reversible Feather Board

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!

On a flat, cast iron table top, this works perfectly. I have a SawStop with one of the sheet metal wings that SawStop has emblazoned with their name in raised lettering. This featherboard has difficulty on that wing because it is not a flat surface. Not the featherboard's fault.

You might be wondering why there are so many people who say these magnetic featherboards work great and can practically lift a table saw, while there are so many who say they slide around or lift right off. I'm pretty sure the distinguishing factor is that some of these people's saws have nice thick cast iron tables and the others have thinner steel tables.My table saw and bandsaw have thick cast iron tables, and the pair of 150lbs magswitches will still slide once engaged, but they require a fair amount of force. I think the force required to slide them is greater than the force you would typically apply with a featherboard anyway.I've also tried it on thinner steel surfaces with disappointing results. For example, on my steel front door, refrigerator, and even on the steel casings on a couple tools, it required almost no force to slide the featherboard around, and it was also relatively easy to lift the featherboard off the surface even when the switches were locked on.If your saw has a steel table instead of cast iron, I suspect you'll be sorely disappointed with this starter kit. And of course, magnets don't stick to materials such as aluminum and granite, so if your tool's table is made of any non-ferrous material you shouldn't even be looking at magswitch-based accessories. But if you have a nice thick cast iron table, this thing will stay put well enough.If you want a Magswitch featherboard, they're all expensive but this one is the most versatile because you can remove the mag switches and attach them to your own jigs or fixtures. If you use the included multipurpose base and featherboard attachment, you can flip the featherboard around to use with a table saw or bandsaw in the typical configurations, or to use it with the table saw fence on either side of the blade. Magswitch Technology also offers several accessories for this featherboard, such as a resaw guide and vertical featherboard adapter, though for the price you might be tempted to make your own attachments.The main thing I don't like about Magswitch products (or most magnetic accessories, for that matter) is the price. Even when it goes on sale, this kit only goes down to $60.

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

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.

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.