Compass Universal Roller Guides HarveyWoodworking.com $280 for RG-1 model (shown)
I HAVE A NUMBER OF COMMERCIAL and shopmade featherboards, which I use on my table saw, bandsaw, and router table. The new Compass Roller Guides work better than any featherboard I own.
What makes them special is how easy they are to adjust and use. After you touch the rollers to the side of your workpiece and lock them, a precise dial sets the pressure. Each roller is spring-loaded, so even if you don’t align them perfectly, both press on the work. The urethane rollers move in just one direction, allowing the workpiece to move forward but not backward (or upward) making cuts accurate and preventing kickback.
The Compass mates with the miter slot on any machine table, as long as the slot is T-shaped. I tried the RG-1 model, which has one layer of rollers; but the RG- 2 adds a second pair on top of the other, doubling the height for just $20 more. They aren’t cheap, but these roller guides are a joy to use on a range of machines.
Sign up for eletters today and get the latest techniques and how-to from Fine Woodworking, plus special offers.
