Guide · Featherboards and hold-downs
Featherboard mounting: miter slot, T-track or fence slot
A featherboard fits your router table if its maker's mount matches your slot or track. The mounts Kreg, Bow, Bosch and JessEm state, with the hardware each one uses.
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Short answer
A featherboard fits your router table if its maker's mount matches what your table has: a bar for a 3/4 x 3/8 in miter slot, T-bolts for a T-track, or bolts in the fence's T-slot. Check the slot or track first, then the hardware the maker lists. Fit is all this page covers; featherboards are not safety devices on their own.
Three places to mount
A featherboard holds the work against the fence or down on the table. Where it mounts depends on your table:
- Miter slot: a bar or wedge that locks in the 3/4 x 3/8 in slot, holding the work against the fence.
- T-track: T-bolts and knobs in a track set into the top.
- Fence T-slot: bolts in a slot along the fence, holding the work down on the table.
Mount by mount
| Product | Miter slot | T-track or T-slot | Hardware the maker lists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kreg True-FLEX (PRS3010 single, PRS3020 pair) | 3/8 x 3/4 in, wedge lock | Yes | Wedge-Lock; T-track bolt, washer and knob |
| Bow FeatherPRO (FP1) | 3/8 x 3/4 in, AnchorPRO bar | Yes | Two 1-1/2 in 5/16-18 T-bolts |
| Bow FeatherDUO (FP3) | 3/8 x 3/4 in, two AnchorPRO bars | Yes | 5/16-18 T-bolts |
| Bosch RA1181 (supplied, two) | Keyhole slots in the miter channel | Fence top T-slot | 1/4-20 x 1-1/2 in carriage bolts |
| JessEm Clear-Cut roller guides | No | Standard 1/4 in T-slot router fences | Not given |
Miter slot
Kreg's True-FLEX has a plastic composite body and Wedge-Lock hardware for 3/8 x 3/4 in miter slots and T-slots, on table saws or router tables.[1] Kreg's manual says it mounts in a miter slot with a wedge lock, or in a T-track or T-slot with a T-track bolt, washer and knob.[2]
Bow's FeatherPRO comes with a 3/4 in AnchorPRO miter bar for 3/8 x 3/4 in slots and can also mount to T-track.[3] Bow's FeatherDUO uses two AnchorPRO bars, and stacks 3-1/2 in high with risers or 1-1/2 in high with T-bolts alone.[4]
Before you buy, measure your slot. See the 3/4 x 3/8 in miter slot.
T-track
For T-track, Bow's FeatherPRO uses two 1-1/2 in T-bolts with 5/16-18 thread. Bow says they fit 1/4 to 3/4 in T-tracks and gives the heads as 0.090 x 0.45 x 0.725 in.[3] Compare that head size with your own track's channel. Our T-track bolt guide explains how.
Fence and table on the Bosch RA1181
Bosch supplies two featherboards with the RA1181. The fence featherboard mounts with 1/4-20 x 1-1/2 in carriage bolts slid into the T-slot on top of the fence. The tabletop featherboard's bolt heads go into keyhole slots in the miter channel.[5] That arrangement is specific to the RA1181.
Roller guides
JessEm's Clear-Cut Stock Guides are roller guides that mount directly to standard 1/4 in T-slot router table fences, with about 2-3/4 in of vertical adjustment. JessEm designs them for router table use only.[6] The rollers are mounted at a 5 degree angle, and one-way bearings let them turn only in the feed direction.[6]
JessEm says those bearings are "intended to reduce kickback." That is JessEm's description of its design intent, not a result we can confirm. A separate TS version exists for table saws.
Featherboard vs roller guide: a featherboard presses with flexible fingers angled toward the feed. A roller guide presses with wheels. Both hold the work; neither is a guard.
The makers' own limit
Kreg's manual states that the True-FLEX is not an anti-kickback or safety device and does not replace the safety devices included with your power tool.[2] Bosch says featherboards help hold the work but are not intended to hold it alone while it touches the bit or the bit is turning.[5] Where to place them is in our featherboard placement guide.
Featherboards by mount
These are picked for fit only, not as a safety upgrade.
Picks that fit8 products
Miter slot or T-slot: Kreg PRS3010 (single) or PRS3020 (pair); Bow FP1 (single, one bar and two 5/16-18 T-bolts) or FP3 (two stackable boards); POWERTEC 71468 (single) or 71393 (pair).
More on choosing
Fence T-track: Bow FP4 (pair) or POWERTEC 71553 (pair, with miter-slot brackets too). Check your slot is 3/4 x 3/8 in, or your track takes 5/16-18 T-bolts, first. On Amazon, check that Ships from / Sold by is Amazon.com or the brand.
Choose the Kreg True-FLEX if you want the maker's router-table placement rules in the manual
Choose the Bow FeatherPRO if you need published T-bolt head dimensions
Two stacking boards for taller stock
Two boards, slot or T-slot, stackable
Next
Questions
Will a featherboard fit my router table's miter slot?
If your slot is 3/4 in wide and 3/8 in deep and the featherboard's maker lists that slot. Kreg's True-FLEX and Bow's FeatherPRO and FeatherDUO are listed for 3/8 x 3/4 in slots.[1][3][4]
Can I mount a featherboard on my fence?
If the fence has a T-slot or T-track that takes the featherboard's bolts. Bosch's RA1181 fence featherboard uses 1/4-20 carriage bolts in the fence's top T-slot; Kreg's True-FLEX uses a T-track bolt, washer and knob.[5][2]
What is the difference between a featherboard and a roller guide?
A featherboard presses the work with flexible fingers angled toward the feed. A roller guide such as JessEm's Clear-Cut presses with rollers; JessEm says its one-way bearings turn only in the feed direction.[6]