Introduction
The key to making perfect edge profiles on the router table is holding the stock securely against both the table and the fence at the same time while you are routing. The traditional way to do is this is to use a couple of featherboards – one attached to the fence and one inserted into the miter slot. Given the inherent limitations of the plastic combs on the featherboards, setting them up can be tedious. Jessem has simplified the procedure with innovative roller-style hold-downs that mount in the T-track of your router table fence – JESSEM Clear-Cut Precision Stock Guides.
Description
The system consists of a pair of guides – an infeed and an outfeed guide – that mount to any 1/4″ T-slot track. Each guide has a stainless steel mounting bolt and a pivoting lock bolt. The guides themselves have 2-3/4″ of total adjustment and obviously the height of your router table fence will determine the range of stock the guides will accommodate, but on most fences you will get a range from 0″ to around 2-1/2″ which is more than enough capacity for most jobs.
Another Great JessEm Product – They Work Perfectly!
The most important feature of the guides is the rubber-tire rollers which are angled inward 5° to keep stock tight to the fence, thus eliminating the requirement for a separate hold-in featherboard. In addition, the rollers only rotate in the feed direction preventing kickback.
Priced at $105 they may seem expensive at first glance but once you’ve seen the quality and experienced what they do for your router table work, not to mention how long they’ll last, the price won’t be a consideration.
Video: JESSEM Clear-Cut Precision Stock Guides in action
The video below clearly demonstrates how the JESSEM Clear-Cut Precision Stock Guides overcome two common problems encountered when using a router table:
Watch the video to see how much easier both these tasks are with a set of the guides installed.
Advantages Over Traditional Featherboards
JESSEM Clear-Cut Precision Stock Guides have a number of advantages over traditional featherboards.
What if I use a shop-made fence?
No problem – you can take advantage of all the benefits of these roller guides even if you use a shop-made fence because JESSEM make a mounting kit specifically for this purpose.
Summary
It’s a complete no-brainer. If you want a well-made, quality product that’s faster, easier, safer, and more flexible than traditional feather boards, you need to get a set of JESSEM Clear-Cut Precision Stock Guides. They’re built to JessEm’s usual high standard which means they’ll last forever and are one of that select category of tools that make you wonder what you ever did before you owned them.
