Before selecting a support stand, decide what machines you will use it with and how great a weight you expect it to bear. If you plan to use it mostly with the bandsaw, make sure the support has enough height and is stable when fully raised.

To test stands for stability, I slid an 8/4 board onto them off a flat surface. Stands that were unable to lift the board 1/2 in. and instead skidded across the floor or were pushed over got a poor rating. Success at 1/2 in. rated fair, and success at 1 in. rated good.

The Shop Fox tilting roller stand is designed to support both flat and round objects such as pipes (rollers may be angled upward). When it was set for flat stock, I found it difficult to make sure the workpiece hit the roller and didn’t fall in between. The height-adjustment screw felt flimsy. This is one stand to avoid.

Fine Woodworking Recommended Products

Veritas Standard Wheel Marking Gauge

A wheel-type gauge is the easiest to use, and this wonderful Veritas model is a steal at $38.

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Stanley Powerlock 16-ft. tape measure

With its smooth lock, tough case, compact size, and excellent accuracy, this Stanley tape is perfect for workshop use.

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Sawstop Miter Gauge

It has a toothed angle-setting rack that is extremely solid, accurate, and easy to use, and it offers all of the features I love in a miter gauge, including the ability to add an auxiliary wood fence, and a flip-stop that will accommodate it.

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