I have used GripTight Magnetic featherboards for about 10 years – though not as often as I should. They are just so tough to adjust properly – too much or too little. And then it is a bummer to get them off the table if the lever gets in the miter slot.
I finally decided to try the new MagSwitch unit. I’m not a member of the “tool a month club” but I may be there soon. That thing is great. With the 2 switches turned off it slides easily to the right fit. Turn the thing “on” and it WON”T move.
I also popped for the hold-down, which adjusts with 2 thumbscrews (I wish they were heavier). Now I feel I am in complete control of the wood – it is held tight to the fence and pretty tightly held down. I say “pretty tightly” because the hold-down is in front of the blade rather than behind, at the point of potential lift-up.
Anyone want a couple of slightly used GripTights?
Frosty
“I sometimes think we consider the good fortune of the early bird and overlook the bad fortune of the early worm.” FDR – 1922
Replies
Frosty: Thanks for the comments. Was thinking about either the Grip Tight or Mag switch. Sounds like the MagSwitch wins.
Bruce
Yeah, I think GripTite may be in trouble now that MagSwitch is on the scene. I've used GT's for some time now, and I like them, but the MS's look more user-friendly, and I like the multi-fingered design.
You mgiht want to hold onto those GripTite's though! The are also useful as a single-point fence on the band saw (for some cutting operations); they can be used on the drill press table and on the jointer occasionally. I use them occasionally on my steel Veritas router table.
That strength of magnet doesn't come along often, think about keeping them to see what other uses might arise.
You make a good point about the GTs on the band-saw, so I'll keep them. (I haven't had any requests for them yet.)As to the drill press, I've got one of those DP table tops with hold-downs, T-slots and a replaceable center block. I don't know how I got along without it. Now I use the hold-downs rather than my hands. But - the GTs won't work.I've thought about a steel Router table but I like the setup I have now.Frosty"I sometimes think we consider the good fortune of the early bird and overlook the bad fortune of the early worm." FDR - 1922
"I've got one of those DP table tops with hold-downs, T-slots and a replaceable center block. I don't know how I got along without it. Now I use the hold-downs rather than my hands. But - the GTs won't work." Yeah, I have one of those too.
First picture, just playing around; second picture, making holder for router bits.
View Image
View Imageforestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Now I use the hold-downs rather than my hands.And your French fingernails are just perfect!
Forest.. I looked back at your picture.. And I thought.. I do that on my TS.. If a nasty cut.. I clamp a wide stick onto my fence that covers the stick and if it 'kicks back' it just hits the wood.. I USE A SPACER STICK about 'just above the stick I am cutting' Yes I check both ends'
Magnets are life savers. Have used them many times to locate wayward nuts and bolts that went out to play hide-n-seek in grass or wood chips.Work Safe, Count to 10 when your done for the day !!
Bruce S.
Yep, me too. Often, I will wrap a plastic bag around the magnet, then when I'm done picking stuff up (when there's several items, like if I've dropped a bunch of brads, or we've demolished something), I turn the bag out around the debris and pull it off the magnet. Saves the fingertips!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Frosty,
I agree that the mag switch is a great addition. I would caution others to a problem that I have with mine - the magnets frequently fall right over the miter slot on my powermatic 66. I believe that the 66 has a unique distance from the blade to miter slot - larger than a unisaw and others. A shame they don't make a version that has shorter "legs".
Lee
It looks like there are two versions with different length legs, 20mm and 30mm.
One problem that might occur is the usefulness to someone with a granite table...
That might be reason enough to avoid consideration of a granite top; Just as magnets may be a reason to consider a metal router table top.Frosty"I sometimes think we consider the good fortune of the early bird and overlook the bad fortune of the early worm." FDR - 1922
granite top on a TS.. I'd bet they are flat! BUT BUT..Geee. Now the little lady wants that in her kitchen!
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