Featherboards are essential safety devices for some woodworking applications, and they add control and accuracy as well. But installing them on your router table or table saw, then adjusting the “feather” pressure for the right tension, can be a trial-and-error effort. However, these new plastic featherboards from Woodpeckers are designed to make the setup process easier. At first blush, the design of the plastic body looks fairly consistent with other featherboard options, and it features a pair of star knobs and T-bolts for mounting to standard 1/4-in. T-track. But, there’s an important difference: a third knob controls the position of an adjustment plate in the center of the featherboard unit. Loosening this knob and moving the plate down adds spring tension to the feathers for a stiffer “grip” on workpieces; sliding it up reduces the pressure. To set the tension, install the featherboard so the feathers lightly touch the workpiece, lock it to your fence or machine table, then dial in the tension you prefer for the task at hand. Woodpeckers’ new Variable Pressure Featherboards are American-made and sell for $32.99 per pair. Optional hardware is also available separately ($19.99) for installing these featherboards in standard 3/8 x 3/4 in. miter slot channels.
