Quick answer
A featherboard keeps your workpiece pressed firmly against the fence and table, reducing kickback and improving cut accuracy. Set it up just ahead of the blade with even pressure across the board.
Why position matters
Place the featherboard before the blade, not after it. If you set it behind the blade, the workpiece can pinch against the blade after the cut, increasing kickback risk. Keep the fingers angled slightly backward so they push the stock into the fence without forcing it into the blade.
Pressure balance
Apply just enough pressure to hold the workpiece against the fence without stalling the feed. Too much pressure can cause burning or binding; too little defeats the safety purpose. Test the fit by sliding a scrap piece through before your actual cut.
Step-by-step setup
- Mount the featherboard in the miter slot: Insert the Wedge-Lock™ hardware into the miter slot and slide the featherboard to a position just ahead of the saw blade. Tighten the knob to lock it in place. Common mistake: placing it too far back. Keep it 1–2 inches before the blade so the fingers guide the stock without interfering with the cut.
- Adjust the pressure angle: Tilt the featherboard so the fingers point slightly toward the fence. The fingers should deflect about 1/8 inch when you push a workpiece through. Checkpoint: if the workpiece stops or burns, reduce the angle. If it drifts away from the fence, increase the angle.
- Secure the featherboard firmly: Tighten the Wedge-Lock™ knob until the featherboard does not move when you push the workpiece. Give the featherboard a quick tug to confirm it is locked. Common mistake: over-tightening can crack the plastic composite body. Tighten only until it holds securely.
- Test with a scrap piece: Feed a scrap piece of the same thickness through the saw at normal speed. The featherboard should hold the stock against the fence without binding or stalling. Checkpoint: if the scrap burns or requires extra force, loosen the featherboard slightly or move it farther from the blade.
- Make your cut: With the featherboard set, feed the workpiece steadily through the blade. Keep your hands on the part of the stock between the featherboard and the fence, away from the blade path. Never remove the featherboard mid-cut. Wait until the blade stops completely before adjusting the setup.
Product recommendations
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True-FLEX™ Featherboard - Single: Carefully designed fingers apply optimum pressure with Wedge-Lock™ hardware for miter slot and T-slot compatibility. The Wedge-Lock™ system lets you lock the featherboard securely without tools, so you can adjust pressure quickly and keep the setup stable during cuts.
True-FLEX™ Featherboard - Single
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True-FLEX™ Featherboard - Twin Pack: Twin Pack includes two featherboards with the same Wedge-Lock™ hardware and durable plastic composite body. Having two featherboards lets you clamp both the fence and the table surface simultaneously for extra control on wider or longer workpieces.
True-FLEX™ Featherboard - Twin Pack
