@@MyGrowthRings I only have one of the extension brackets. It came with the second machine. Luckily didn't need it before I got that one. I think I'm going to be better off with the Bow product. I'd definitely like to have those large knobs on the device.
Scott, Thanks for the video. As others have said, I have seen lots of videos on the Bow feather board, and I have refrained from buying because I figured I would have to re-engineer it to fit in the slot. Now that I know it fits, it will be on my wish list.
I really appreciate your videos critiquing new tools. If I choose to purchase a new tool, I always feel more confident if you have reviewed it. Also there are so many new items you have featured that I wasn't aware that they even existed! Thanks!!!
Thanks Scott for putting out this video. I have been admiring the Bow Feather Board but just assumed that it probably would not work in the Shopsmith miter slot and did not know that it would work on my Sawsmith 2000. I am currently using a Milescraft feather board but had to do some fabrication to make it work. I also was not aware of the adapter that Shopsmith manufactured for the Sawsmith. As always, great information presented in an excellent format.
I love my Bow feather board. I purchased mine some time ago and when received, the locking spreader bar was a little too large for the slot on my ShopSmith table. A few passes on the sanding disc solved the problem and it works perfectly.
Looks like the little one would be nice on a router table, too. I would also replace some of my 1/4-20 knobs with their knobs it they were offered in the smaller size.
Ordered a Shopsmith upgrade on the Fathers Day Sale. Made 3 orders. 510 to 520, double Tilt, new head stock. First order shipped weeks later sent to wrong address. Invoice address was good, they just made label wrong. Luckily my neighbor knows my name and wheeled it over. Contacted Shopsmith about the error and they noted it was fixed. Yesterday package 2 was sent again to a neighbor. Still no clue when they will ship headstock and where they will send it. They charged my Credit Card which is against the Merchant Rules. No ship date, bad email responses. This company will not last. It was dead when the new sucker bought it. Good thing we got lots of used parts. Hoping to get my purchase less then 2 months after purchase.
Well, I love the shopsmith featherboards. I particularly like the hold down one on my 510. Since I don’t have a sawsmith table saw, I guess I’ll stick with tried and true. The only injuries I’ve ever gotten wood working have been when I omitted a piece of safety equipment. So I would just say use the best safety equipment you can get. I’m missing a joint on my finger because I wasn’t using a hold down push stick and my dado blade kicked back drawing my hand backward over the blade.
@@daveschmitt6369 Ouch, that was a tough lesson. I agree with what you’re saying about using the best, which is why I’m leaning towards this Bow feather board. I really couldn’t believe how tightly it held the stock when I tried to pull it back.
@@daveschmitt6369 I agree. That, and the SS FB can scratch if you press it in too tight. None of that with the Bow. It was smooth, which is why at first I didn't expect it to offer much kickback resistance.
That is so similar to something I easily made, but I suppose I should give it a serious look, considering how well designed this product turned out to be. Scott
@@MyGrowthRings my own considerations in buying it over building it, are that 1)im a beginner and would rather practice on less consequential cuts than a core semi-precision upgrade, and 2) as a beginner, I have little accumulated project-worthy offcuts.... buying the tool is cheaper than the plywood and hardware needed to make the tool
@DocHogan, I bought the whole Bow fence extension kit - the fence extension, infeed/outfeed extension, featherboard, and two featherboard type hold-downs that attach to the fence extension. Overall, I've been very happy with it, with one caveat. I have a Mark V 500, so the fence tightens by twisting a knob on the front. When the fence extension is attached, it butts up against the knob, so you can't tighten it. Fortunately, the extension is precisely 1" wide, so it's easy enough. Set the cut 1" wider than you actually want, then attach the extension. It's fine if you're making a bunch of cuts of the same width, but if you have to make frequent changes to your cuts, it can get tedious. Still I think it's a tremendous upgrade for the dinner plate-sized table of the 500.
@@fins9584 I can totally understand that issue. The original 500 fence is in itself an ingenious piece of engineering, but in that case, it would be a bit of a pain. Scott
Scott, I was surprised to see how easily you were able to retract the plywood workpiece from the Shopsmith feather board. That is not my experience. I find the Shopsmith feather board quite grippy, even more so on plywood than edge grain so solid wood. If memory serves, the patent even mentions anti-kick back as a claim, double check me. Is it possible that the plastic tips are compromised in some way, either misshapen or polished from use? I guess it would also depend on how much tension you load onto it.
Wonder why the Bow feather board slots are so long. My SawStop slot is about 5 3/4” from the blade. Is there a saw that the slot is more than the Sawsmith’s 6”? Kinda like a feather board, how about the JessEm stock guides? I just added one to my SawStop router table and it holds the board against the fence better than I can by hand. Plus the rollers only roll one way, helping to prevent kickback. Haven’t saved up for the table saw version yet. Just had this thought, have not thought about how to mount it. Anybody used this on their Shopsmith?
I have a new set of JessEm stock guides to play with, but haven’t had the time. I think they are pretty slick and if they can be easily mounted and dismounted from the SS fences they could be a game changer. I’ve only seen a few ancient table saws with that much of a gap between the blade and the miter slots.
Seriously. I purchased it from Amazon about 4 years ago and it has served me well. It was a bit stiff at first, so I washed it with a fabric softener and that helped. I like that it's thick and that Titebond washes right out. amzn.to/4cVjaAB
@@MyGrowthRings, I have a bucket boss app that I rarely use because some of the pockets get clogged with sawdust and shavings. Not to mention having things fall out if I bend over. THis looks like a better alternative.
Thanks Scott, I wouldn't have guessed it would fit the Shopsmith miter slots. Looks like a better feather board to use on my 510 and Sawsmith 2000.
Totally agree. Do you have a couple of the Sawsmith versions for your FrankinSmith 4000?
@@MyGrowthRings I only have one of the extension brackets. It came with the second machine. Luckily didn't need it before I got that one. I think I'm going to be better off with the Bow product. I'd definitely like to have those large knobs on the device.
Scott,
Thanks for the video. As others have said, I have seen lots of videos on the Bow feather board, and I have refrained from buying because I figured I would have to re-engineer it to fit in the slot. Now that I know it fits, it will be on my wish list.
@@jamesbrunk9817 I was prepared for that very thing too. I’m happy to see that it fit so well.
I agree with you regarding the most important safety equipment - the brain.
I really appreciate your videos critiquing new tools. If I choose to purchase a new tool, I always feel more confident if you have reviewed it. Also there are so many new items you have featured that I wasn't aware that they even existed! Thanks!!!
@@stased7343 That’s humbling. Thank you.
Thanks Scott for putting out this video. I have been admiring the Bow Feather Board but just assumed that it probably would not work in the Shopsmith miter slot and did not know that it would work on my Sawsmith 2000. I am currently using a Milescraft feather board but had to do some fabrication to make it work. I also was not aware of the adapter that Shopsmith manufactured for the Sawsmith. As always, great information presented in an excellent format.
I love my Bow feather board. I purchased mine some time ago and when received, the locking spreader bar was a little too large for the slot on my ShopSmith table. A few passes on the sanding disc solved the problem and it works perfectly.
@@dennisholtby2140 I was assuming that’s what I would have to do, so I was pleasantly surprised.
The ShopSmith feather board is a must!! Thanks for covering safety again.
Great discussion on basic uses of the feather board.
I like how the Bow feathers are larger and covers the entire edge of the board.
@@drumaganger Me too!
I have been wondering about the Bow Product Feather Board now I want one.
It exceeded my expectations, that's for sure.
I just order one.
That sir, is a winner. I do believe I’m gunna order one. 🤜🤛
I hate to admit how long I've ignored it, but it really is the bee's knees.
Looks like the little one would be nice on a router table, too. I would also replace some of my 1/4-20 knobs with their knobs it they were offered in the smaller size.
I suppose I should take another look at their small one, because it's probably the right choice for a MKV 500 owner too.
Thanks Scott seen those on other non shopsmith channels and did not know if they would fit
I was hoping that would be the case, but I didn't have my hopes set high.
Ordered a Shopsmith upgrade on the Fathers Day Sale. Made 3 orders. 510 to 520, double Tilt, new head stock. First order shipped weeks later sent to wrong address. Invoice address was good, they just made label wrong. Luckily my neighbor knows my name and wheeled it over. Contacted Shopsmith about the error and they noted it was fixed. Yesterday package 2 was sent again to a neighbor. Still no clue when they will ship headstock and where they will send it. They charged my Credit Card which is against the Merchant Rules. No ship date, bad email responses. This company will not last. It was dead when the new sucker bought it. Good thing we got lots of used parts. Hoping to get my purchase less then 2 months after purchase.
Thanks Scott!
You bet!
Nice piece of kit, and great advice!
@@alberttreado3713 Thanks, Albert.
As always a very informative video
@@rschafer8684 Thanks.
Well, I love the shopsmith featherboards. I particularly like the hold down one on my 510. Since I don’t have a sawsmith table saw, I guess I’ll stick with tried and true. The only injuries I’ve ever gotten wood working have been when I omitted a piece of safety equipment. So I would just say use the best safety equipment you can get. I’m missing a joint on my finger because I wasn’t using a hold down push stick and my dado blade kicked back drawing my hand backward over the blade.
@@daveschmitt6369 Ouch, that was a tough lesson. I agree with what you’re saying about using the best, which is why I’m leaning towards this Bow feather board. I really couldn’t believe how tightly it held the stock when I tried to pull it back.
How did it feed? if you get the SS feather board too tight it makes feeding difficult and in my opinion dangerous.
@@daveschmitt6369 I agree. That, and the SS FB can scratch if you press it in too tight. None of that with the Bow. It was smooth, which is why at first I didn't expect it to offer much kickback resistance.
I wonder if you could use the extra anchor (sold separately) for the feather board pro, to build jigs.
@@alberttreado3713 I would sure thank so, but I think I would default to the SS T-nuts for that.
I've been seriously side-eyeing the Bow fence extension, as well
That is so similar to something I easily made, but I suppose I should give it a serious look, considering how well designed this product turned out to be. Scott
@@MyGrowthRings my own considerations in buying it over building it, are that 1)im a beginner and would rather practice on less consequential cuts than a core semi-precision upgrade, and 2) as a beginner, I have little accumulated project-worthy offcuts.... buying the tool is cheaper than the plywood and hardware needed to make the tool
@DocHogan, I bought the whole Bow fence extension kit - the fence extension, infeed/outfeed extension, featherboard, and two featherboard type hold-downs that attach to the fence extension. Overall, I've been very happy with it, with one caveat. I have a Mark V 500, so the fence tightens by twisting a knob on the front. When the fence extension is attached, it butts up against the knob, so you can't tighten it.
Fortunately, the extension is precisely 1" wide, so it's easy enough. Set the cut 1" wider than you actually want, then attach the extension. It's fine if you're making a bunch of cuts of the same width, but if you have to make frequent changes to your cuts, it can get tedious. Still I think it's a tremendous upgrade for the dinner plate-sized table of the 500.
@@fins9584 I can totally understand that issue. The original 500 fence is in itself an ingenious piece of engineering, but in that case, it would be a bit of a pain. Scott
Scott, I was surprised to see how easily you were able to retract the plywood workpiece from the Shopsmith feather board. That is not my experience. I find the Shopsmith feather board quite grippy, even more so on plywood than edge grain so solid wood. If memory serves, the patent even mentions anti-kick back as a claim, double check me.
Is it possible that the plastic tips are compromised in some way, either misshapen or polished from use? I guess it would also depend on how much tension you load onto it.
@@TheWoodworkersToolbox Nope. I tried it with the red and the grey versions and they both slipped.
Wonder why the Bow feather board slots are so long. My SawStop slot is about 5 3/4” from the blade. Is there a saw that the slot is more than the Sawsmith’s 6”?
Kinda like a feather board, how about the JessEm stock guides? I just added one to my SawStop router table and it holds the board against the fence better than I can by hand. Plus the rollers only roll one way, helping to prevent kickback. Haven’t saved up for the table saw version yet.
Just had this thought, have not thought about how to mount it. Anybody used this on their Shopsmith?
I have a new set of JessEm stock guides to play with, but haven’t had the time. I think they are pretty slick and if they can be easily mounted and dismounted from the SS fences they could be a game changer. I’ve only seen a few ancient table saws with that much of a gap between the blade and the miter slots.
looks like you don't put much pressure on your feather board, i may be putting to much. can you talk about that in your Q & A video.
Sure thing. It doesn't take much pressure to do the job.
What about your apron?
What about it?
Seriously. I purchased it from Amazon about 4 years ago and it has served me well. It was a bit stiff at first, so I washed it with a fabric softener and that helped. I like that it's thick and that Titebond washes right out. amzn.to/4cVjaAB
@@MyGrowthRings, I have a bucket boss app that I rarely use because some of the pockets get clogged with sawdust and shavings. Not to mention having things fall out if I bend over. THis looks like a better alternative.