Sturdee's new super improved feather board.

[Sturdee]

When I had a Triton MK3 work centre I made a few feather boards to fit into the mitre slot, which was very handy as per photo 1. This was clamped down with a T-bolt.

When I upgraded to a TSC10HB table saw I modified one of the feather boards to fit the TS mitre slot as per photos 2 & 3. It slides into the slot and clamps down where needed. This has worked fine but recently the discussions on a magnetic clamped down feather board caught my imagination. This seemed a better way of doing things, just put down where needed and activate the clamping feature.

As I have a digital measuring meter with a magnetic clamp on base (photo 4), which is only used infrequently for checking accuracy, I decided to use this base with one of my feather boards.

The job was easy and only took about 25 minutes using scrap material and a spare bolt knob recycled from some old tool a long time ago which fitted the screw hole on the base.

Photo 5 shows the feather board slot filled in and the back part cut off to fit the back shape of the magnetic base.

Photo 6 shows some scrap timber cut for the housing to hold the magnetic base.

Photo 7 shows the sides.

Photo 8 shows the top on.

Photo 9 is with the base in place and photo 10 with it screwed firm.

Peter.

[Sturdee]

Photo 1 shows the underside of the completed feather board.

Photo 2 shows it in use on the TS.

When it is clamped down I cannot push it out of the way as the magnetic clamping is too strong so it is great as a feather board. It can be placed where needed and only needs to flick the switch to activate it.

It will become one of my most often used tool, rather than sit in a corner most of the time, so if you have one of those bases it would be worthwhile making one.

Now all it needs is a repaint so it won't look like an orphan in my workshop.

Peter.

[Waldo]

on more Sturdee ingenuity.

[watson]

Noice Wun Peter

[David L]

Good to see you back enjoying your workshop Sturdee. That is another good idea utilising something you already have.

[damian]

That's very good work. Well done.

[Sturdee]

Thanks guys.

I've been using the featherboard all day and it is really a breeze to use. I think I will leave it permanently on the TS, rather than build a storage pigeon hole for it.

To think that a few years ago, when I bought it, I thought the $ 35 for the base was expensive, now I'm glad I got it.

Peter.

[Buzzard]

Sturdee... you're the MAN! I've just made one of your great ex-Triton DC cyclones which works brilliantly and now I'm back out to the shed to have a crack at this one! Can I ask you, though, what was your original feather board made from? Thanks mate!

Rick

[Sturdee]

Can I ask you, though, what was your original feather board made from? Thanks mate!

Rick

The original featherboard (and this one) is made from scrap timber, that wonderfully cheap pine.

It was clamped to the Triton MK3 with a T bolt (modified from standard 1/4 " coach bolt) in the mitre slot. I think that only worked with the MK3 not the WC2000.


Peter.

[Cliff Rogers]

[Buzzard]

Thanks Sturdee! I thought pine might be too brittle. I was going to use some of the red cedar I have (recycled from old fence posts) but will have a go with clear pine and save the cedar.

Rick