| Review by Grumpy | posted 315 days ago | 654 views | 0 times favorited | 9 comments |  |
- Magswitch Pro Table Featherboard 30mm
- Brand: Magswitch | Category: Safety Equipment
 |
 |
 |
 |
I had been eyeing off the Magswitch featherboard in magazines for some time and thought what a great invention it was. I don’t really understand how you can turn a magnet on and off , other than an electro magnet, simply by turning a knob but you can with the Magswitch. If anybody knows how it is done I would like to hear about it.
I purchased the 30mm Magswitch Pro2 this week. It consists of two powerful earth magnets associated with a featherboard in a type of durable plastic molding. An optional vertical attachment can be fitted. I purchased both items.
This is truly an amazing addition to the workshop. Not only does it assist with the safety aspects it assists with accurate cutting. You might say any other featherboard will do the same but there is a difference.
-The Magswitch can be turned on or off and removed very easily. Other featherboards are either clamped or bolted to the table saw slot.
-It can be located anywhere on your table saw, router station, jointer, bandsaw table etc. provided they are magnetically compatible eg steel. If you have aluminum or allow table beds you are out of luck with this tool. My router table has a MDF bed but with a little modification I can add a piece of steel to accommodate the Magswitch.
-The Magswitch is surprisingly powerful, the manufacturer states the 30mm Mag-Jig (a different device) has a gripping force of 155lb. It don’t know the gripping force of the two magnets on the Magswitch but it is surprisingly strong.
-A big advantage is that it can be set up very easily and quickly.
The Magswitch meets my 5 star rating.
PS: I have no association with a supplier or manufacturer of this product.
http://www.magswitch.com.au/ is a global link.
-- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python
Your Online Shop - Your Support Is Greatly Appreciated - Your Woodworking Showcase - 3 Ways To Help, Financially - Your Woodworking Community
9 comments so far
GaryK
home | projects | blog
8567 posts in 528 days
posted 315 days ago
There are no magnets that actually touch the table.
It’s the steel spacers. The knobs are connected the magnets and transfer their force when the magnet
poles are rotated to align with the spacers. This completes a “magnetic circuit”.
I hope that I explained that clear enough.
-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.
TomFran
home | projects | blog
2371 posts in 534 days
posted 315 days ago
Looks like it would work very well, Grumpy. Thanks for the review!
-- Tom, Surfside Beach, SC - Romans 8:28
Grumpy
home | projects | blog
6734 posts in 391 days
posted 315 days ago
Thanks Gary. It had to be something simple like that. Still it is very effective.
-- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python
GaryK
home | projects | blog
8567 posts in 528 days
posted 315 days ago
No problem, and great rewiew by the way.
-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.
dalec
home | projects | blog
459 posts in 429 days
posted 313 days ago
Thanks for the review.
I saw these at the local woodworker shop and tried the magnets. Really held the feather board in place.
My only regret is my table top is aluminum, so the magnets are not a option. Another reason to go with cast iron table tops.
Dalec
mot
home | projects | blog
4863 posts in 577 days
posted 312 days ago
Thanks for the review, Grumpy. I’ve been looking at these for awhile. I have lots of featherboard options, but like the fact that it holds the stock down as well as to the fence. Thanks.
-- You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. (Plato)
motthunter
home | projects | blog
1234 posts in 339 days
posted 312 days ago
they are really highly recommended. I may get a set myself. They also sell in parts sot hat you can do some jig making based on the idea.
-- making sawdust....
orgelbau
home | projects | blog
9 posts in 306 days
posted 306 days ago
A Magswitch has two magnets polarized horizontally (rather than through their axis) when mated to opposite poles they form a magnetic shunt which expends all its flux in the circuit, with poles in parity it throws out a field. See the patent for details – seems like something we could re-create in our own shops with some tinkering, if we could find non axially magnetized magnets… I think K&J Magnetics sells some of those.
UPDATE : Indeed they do... but amazing magnets has one that might be even more suitable.
jaspr
home | projects | blog
37 posts in 513 days
posted 271 days ago
By setting up my resaw fence to the right of th blade, I can use the magswitch on my bandsaw too.
(though I understand that they are making a new featherboard for use on the right of blades too)
it’s a great product!
-- cheers, Claire (in Oz!)