Features

• Includes cast iron router top, fence, insert plate, and hardware
• Mounts to almost any right-tilt 10" table saw
• Accepts Feather-Loc featherboards, Panel-Loc, and fence riser options
• Fully adjustable miter track with 3/4" miter gauge t-slot and accessory t-slot
• Flat, square and true fence stows away when not in use

Reviews (9)

Garage Shop SPACE SAVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I just received this 40-031 and was amazed at how easy it was to install. It was a little heavy but I put the center bolt in first and just swung it level and put the other 2 bolts in. I have a Delta Grand Series Contractors Saw and it matches up to the saw perfectly. Of course I was covered in oil after installation. All parts were there and a few extra set screws and bolts came with it. It may have taken me 30 or so minutes to install by myself. Now I can get rid of my cabinet style router table and open up some more space. The only small gripe about Bench Dog is that I called them to ask a question at around 1:00 pm and had to leave a message for the tech guy to call me back and I didn't get a returned call until the next day at 4:30pm. But he answered my questions and was very nice. DON'T HESITATE TO BUY THIS ROUTER TABLE!!

Amazon is the only place that I found that had it listed for under $300. Plus the free shipping is great. It only took 7 days to receive it. Now I'm looking for a router to dedicate to the table. I know I'll buy it from Amazon I just can't make up my mind.

JOHN B
Just received my Bench Dog 40-031. There have been questions about mounting on left tilt table saws, so I was concerned because I have a Powermatic Artisans saw - years old but still works. The instructions say there IS an issue with left tilt cabinet saws - interference with moter and that must be the case because I had NO problems at all with my contractor style saw. In fact the whole install took less than 45 minutes including "play" time. I love this table so far,compact convenient, tough. Could be less bucks though.

Question about compatibility (Updated)
Update(5/19/04): The ProMax arrived yesterday and I installed it by myself by the end of the night. There are no interference issues with my Dewalt 746 tablesaw and Dewalt fixed router base that I plan to leave permanently attached to the ProMax router plate.

The cast iron extension is a significant improvement over the stock stamped steel wings that came with my Dewalt saw (bigger, flatter, smoother).

I haven't made any sawdust yet with this setup but so far it has been a tremendous value when you think about how much you actually get (fence, router plate, cast iron extension wing).
(END OF UPDATE)

Tim Malone wrote a review that said the ProMax was the perfect fit for his Dewalt 746 saw. I just talked with someone from BenchDog and they had some concerns that the ProMax would have interference problems because my DeWalt is a left tilting saw. Tim (or anyone for that matter) can you tell me if your Dewalt was a left or right tilt saw. I was not aware of Dewalt making the 746 in a right tilt version. If there is anyone out there that has installed the ProMax on a left tilter, please let me know.

Thanks in advance,
Bob

Initial Impressions, Installation
Here are my initial impressions on the Cast Iron Table through installation. I will update this post after I use it some.

The wing is boxed well and though there was a little damage to the box, the contents were in good shape. The first thing I noticed when beginning assembly is the screws and bolts were packed in some random order. I recommend dumping them all into a ziplock bag before starting. This will save you some time having not to disassemble or look for other bags. The wing is well coated with oil. I used simple green to remove the residue. After it was clean, I assembled it to the saw. Fit up was good and this wing is flat (more flat than my saw). The fence is quality and went together with no problems and the insert leveled with no issues.

Now for the reason I gave this product a 4 star rating. The wing is supplied with hooks to hold the fence when not in use. These hooks share the same hole as the attachment screws for the miter gage. The problem is that the holes were not tapped all the way through, they stopped about 1/8" shy. I have three options, to tap the holes myself, return the wing (now that it is fully assembled), or not use the hooks at all. The last option is not an option as far as I am concerned. I will speak with Bench Dog customer service tomorrow to see what they can do. Oh yeah, I almost forgot, they shorted me one lock washer as well.

Update 4/23/04, I moved this from a 4 star to a 5 star due to their customer service. I called and they sent me a tap to complete the threads. The were willing to replace the wing but I have done a lot of metal work in the past so finishing the hole was no problem. They were aware of the problem and were very appologetic. I used this on some cherry and boy is it nice. I would recomend this to anyone who has a space constrant in their shop.

Customer Service
First of all I would like to say that this is strictly a quality product. A perfect for for my Dewalt 746. Adjusting the router bit height could not be any easier due to no cabinet around the router. Due to my getting one of the first new type shipped I had to call customer service about a couple of issues. I just started up a shop and have had to call Powermatic, Dewalt, Bosch, Shop Fox, Delta, Kreg etc.about missing bolts, nuts, etc. and Bench Dog was by far the most knowlegeable, helpful and shipped the replacement items the fastest. I would not hesitate to buy anything this company manufacturers. ... Read more

Features

• Extruded aluminum fence
• Includes top, fence, pre-drilled router plate, and cabinet
• Fully adjustable miter track with 3/4-inch miter gauge t-slot and accessory t-slot
• 22-by-16-inch laminated work surface
• Accepts most routers

Reviews (35)

Good for the price, but...
This is a good router table, for the price. That being said, I did have some problems. That's why I only gave it 4 stars. Unlike one of the previous reviewers who said he assembled it in 45 minutes... it took me 3 hours. This included a trip to the hardware store, because the hardware package provided was incomplete. No screws were provided to attach the subfences. (I used 1/4" x 1 1/2" carriage bolts for this and that seems to work adequately.) Also, I had to cut a couple of the insert bracket screws to allow the door to close, because the shorter ones specified were missing.
My other gripe is that I also purchased the pricey auxillary switch... it's a good switch, but didn't install as I had anticipated. I had intended to mount it on the bottom miter track slot, as per instructions. According to the specs for the switch, 'all new Bench Dog router tables come equipped with this slot'. However, the new RT150 ProTop I just purchased did not come equipped with this slot. That was a minor disappointment, and also increased the assembly time while I figured out another acceptable way of mounting the switch, as I definitely did not want to mount it on the fence.
The assembly instructions provided are very good and easy to follow. And they thoughtfully provide a nice assortment of screws for mounting most brands of routers to the insert plate.
I do recommend purchasing this router table. It's much better than any other I've seen in this price range.

They should double-check the hardware packages.

Quality well built table
This is my first router table and I don't think I'll ever have to buy another one. This thing is really nice. I am very impressed. I shopped around and looked at the Porter Cable (which got so-so reviews) and Craftsman (seem cheezy) but didn't want to spend an arm an a leg on some of the larger tables. Yet I still wanted quality. This has it. At a very reasonable ptice too!
It's heavy enough to keep it from sliding around, but has a lip on the bottom to clamp it to the work surface if you need to. It also has a lip on the table top for clamping feather boards etc.
The fence is solid, straight, and easily adjustable. It can even be shimmed(shims included) to be used as a joiner. Mine came with an upgrade from the acrylic plate to the phenolic plate. Nice suprise. It comes with a drilling template for mounting many popular routers to the blank plate. The instructions for assembly are straight-foward and easy to follow. It probably took me a half hour to 45 minutes to assemble taking my time.
The only drawback I have found is that you need to open the door to get to the power switch on the router. It would be nice if it had a switch built in to control the router and vacume, but then I guess it would cost more. I'll just add my own I guess. Benchdog does sell the switch if your intrested.
Because of that it really should get 4.5 stars.

WOW - A GREAT TOOL FOR BEGINNER OR PRO!
I received the Bench Dog Router Table last week from Tyler Tools (they shipped the product the next business day and I received it two days later! - instead of waiting for 1-2 weeks for shipment from Amazon and at the same price). It took two hours to assemble and route my first piece of wood. After a few adjustments I was doing perfect dovetails, v-cuts, chamfers, dados, etc. Not bad for someone who has never used a router before! I put the Bench Dog table on my workmate bench. It is heavy (44 pounds without the router) and is very stable during operations. Of course, I clamped the table to the bench for safety. The fence is easy to adjust and one side can be offset for joinery cuts. The tabletop had predrilled holes for all types of routers - I used the Dewalt 616 router.

If you are looking for a router table, look no further!

Also on the waiting list.
Ordered this item on June 19th. Just got an update that the expected arrival date is July 28-Aug 3. Don't buy it here if you expect in in 1-2 weeks.

Wonderful Smaller Router Table
Just recieved and very pleased. Finish is perfect. Easy to put together. Tested it using my Porter Cable router on some walnut scrap - quiet, no vibration, great dust collection. Had a Rockler portable table that scared me every time used it because it was not stable - tossed it in the trash today. ... Read more

Amazon.com

This tool makes humans as close to foolproof as we can get, at least when it comes to measuring, cutting and installing trim without a flaw. We love that it’s a solid piece, with nothing adjustable on it, so you know its 45- and 90-degree angles are always true. It takes the gymnastics out of measuring, too, whether screwed to your workbench or temporarily tacked to the working wall with 6d finish nails, because of the built-in tape measure hooks. Even tricky inside-to-inside miters are a snap. Perfect 3/16-inch reveals on windows and door jambs are guaranteed every time: Just line it up and draw your guide with the pencil holes. Though it’s marketed for casements, we’d keep it in the toolbox for all kinds of jobs. Imagine installing baseboard up to door trim and lining up the Trim Loc for a perfect cutline every time. We think it’d be the perfect gauge for squaring saw blades, too. This little tool will save you time, money and lots of frustration.--Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• Solid polymer
• 8 tools-in-one
• Install trim faster and more accurately
• Eliminate measuring errors, reduce waste
• Save time and money

Reviews (6)

Handy
This is handy especially if you work alone. Makes trim installation easier after you become familiar with it. Beware that the older model was made from quality aluminium and this is now a cheap plastic.

My, how revealing.
I grabbed one of these at a home center a while back. I was at first impressed by the look and feel of it. I have used it when installing trim, building cabinets, and doing layout. I genuinely find the tape measure slots handy because I do most of my work alone and find it difficult to accurately span a six foot opening wihout a lot of cuss'n, spitt'n and chew'n. Also, I think the orange color compliments my yellow tools.

It is a lot more substantially made than it appears
When I ordered the Trim Loc Casement tool, I thought it would be a flimsy lightweight unit. I was surprised when I received it that it was built out of such thick aluminum. It is protected with a baked on finish that should last. It is one of those simple tools that give you big consistent results. Trying to eyeball the casement trim offset won't give you the consistent professional results of this tool.
I have several Bench Dog tools, and not one of them is less than best in class. They are decorated in many woodworking reviews, and this one deserves five stars. Highly recommended.

Saves time, increases accuracy
I don't necessarily care about some of the features of this tool but for the one main thing it does it has become a "must" in my toolbox. It quickly and precisely locates casement trim when installing, making the job go more quickly and giving me more consistent reveals. Anything else it does is gravy.

JohnnyTcarpenter
This tool is the the most valuable tool I own .Being a trim carpenter this tool saves me time and the boss money !!!I can trim out a large home in a few hours and it eliminates wasted cuts.It gives me perfect miters !!! ... Read more

Features

• Cutting guide on tool for quick reference
• The safest way to cut crown molding
• Fits all crown molding up to 6" wide
• Fast and easy adjustments
• Baltic Birch body is strong and won't damage your blades, saw, or crown molding

Features

• Rated best fence by Fine Woodworking
• Built in jointing
• 2-1/2" dust port included
• Front and back t-tracks for mounting accessories
• Accepts Feather-Loc featherboards, Panel-Loc, and fence riser options

Reviews (1)

a topnotch fence
I built my router table and decided on the RT400 top and this fence. What a good choice. This fence works very easily and has all the bells and whistles. I am very happy with the quality of this product. ... Read more

Features

• Saw base will not scratch face of finished materials
• 2 safe and convenient hand grips
• Built-in 6" hook rule for scribing lines
• Tool aligns with cut-line or tick mark
• Reduced tear-out since fibers are supported along cutting edge of tool

Features

• Durable polymer design for long life
• Guides and stabilizes taller workpieces
• Reduces kickback, binding, and bent blades
• Exclusive set-up feather makes setting proper tension fast
• Mounts to both standard 3/4" miter gauge slots and 1/4" T-tracks

Features

• Made in the USA
• Safe, easy way to change 10-inch table saw blades
• Protects both hands and saw blade
• Helps eliminate the chance of cuts, chipped teeth, and bent blades
• Made from plastic that's tough enough to handle the abuse in any shop

Reviews (7)

Waste of money
I use my push stick and sometimes a leather glove.

Let's Fess Up, How have we been changing blades?
I must admit, I have been using a screwdriver to lock one of the teeth on the table saw blade. All the time I am exerting pressure, I am thinking, "This has got to be bad for the blade. I hope I don't slip and chip a carbide tooth." I was lucky, no chips, but the process was capable of at least a ever so slighty, bending the blade. The other alternative was to use 2x4 and let the blade bite into it. The problem is that works only one way. I did the vise grip on the blade, without touching the teeth method as well.
I am sure their are as many ingenious ways, people have come up with locking the blade, as their are different types of blades.
So now here comes Bench Dog, with an ideal solution. Why not make a hard plastic holder, that sits on top of the blade, protecting you, and the blade in one step. It holds the blade both ways, and still allows you to use a wrench on the locking nut. Bench Dog wins a lot of awards, for their superior engineering. Ok, so it is made out of plastic. I don't know what else would do, surely not metal, against metal carbide teeth. I'm glad to give them most of the purchase price for the design, and leave a little left over for the cost of the material.
This Blade Loc is ideal for blade changes. Highly recommended for your safety, and the blades.

good product, but a bit pricey
This is a tool that anyone who owns a table saw should have
one. Although it can be bought cheaper at grizzly.

Wish I had this tool years ago
Just received my Blade Loc last week and used it right away. Works so well I wish they made one for dado sets!

Works great, costs $5 more than it should
Well, the other two reviewers pretty much covered it, but here goes. EVERY TABLE SAW MANUFACTURER SHOULD INCLUDE ONE OF THESE WITH THEIR SAWS. It works great for both tightening and loosening, and it's soooo much safer than using a block of wood. Really, though, 17 bucks for a piece of plastic? Oh, well - buy it anyway. It's worth every penny. ... Read more

Features

• Compatible with single, angled and double (w/ adapter) joist hanger brackets
• Hang your brackets first and save hours of time and frustration
• Lock pins hold tool to rim joist, freeing up both hands to nail in the hanger
• Multiple alignment slots allow fast positioning to your joist locations
• Easily adjusts to handle 2 x 12 joists

Product Description

SLOT ADAPTOR ... Read more

Features

• Enables Porter Cable 690 series, Bosch 1617/18 series and DeWalt 610, and other round router motors that are 3.5" in diameter to be used with ProLift Ni

Product Description

Finally, a no-nonsense 10" blade changing tool that secures the blade, is safe to use and protects your expensive saw blades. ... Read more

Features

• Enables Makita RF100/01 series and other round router motors that are 3.2" in diameter to be used with ProLift Ni

Features

• Fits Bench Dog's RT400, RT450, and RT500 routertops
• Enclosed cabinet for noise reduction and storage
• Accepts 2-drawer option (DB400), sold separately
• Accepts Cab-Loc, leveling casters, sold separately (CB400)
• Euro hinges make door adjustments easy

Features

• Advanced design means no marring to your workpiece
• Feather-Loc is a featherboard with lots of travel
• Unique miter gauge slot allows quick removal
• Easy set-up feature
• High tech polymer ensures it will maintain its original shape

Reviews (7)

versatile
I recently had to borrow a feather board from a friend. I had broken a home made one. So I did and found it be totally versatile easy to use and take off. It also felt very comfortable in many different positions. Changing angles quickly and it also was very accurate, no hangups. The material also allows the wood to pass through without binding. So I automatically went to the amazon.com web site found it and ordered it, along with the bench dog blade lock easy blade change is a must to keep your blades and cuts accurate. I'm waiting anxiously. THANK YOU IFLEM-INC.

clever but over-priced
I bought this to use with a $200 Craftsman 10" table saw only to discover that it will not fit the Craftsman miter slot (evidently, Craftsman elected not to make the slot a standard size on their cheaper models). So if you are wanting to use it with a Craftsman table saw, unless you know the miter slot size is adequate, don't waste your money. I have a Bench Dog router table that I will use this featherboard with, so it wasn't a total waste. However, it is way over-priced for something that is made almost entirely of plastic.

Does its job
It does what it claims to do. Locks into the channel and guides the workpiece nicely. As to its longevity...we'll see. I'm a bit skeptical of the plastic's ability to survive continued abuse.

Better than home made featherboards
We all know that home made featherboards are makable. The problem is the way to clamp them down. Normally you are using clamps that are far reaching for a table top, or over the top of the fence, which may get in the way of your workpiece.
With the Blade Loc featherboards, they use the existing mitre slot of your table saw or router table (3/4" approx) for their grip. They have a tapered cut on a built in metal mitre track (that you can not see from the photograph) that the nut underneath mushrooms out, squeezing it against your mitre track.
Since those locking T-handles that you see are installed along a sliding groove (that you can see) you are able to slide-adjust the featherboard to meet with your workpiece. No far reaching clamps to deal with.
The feathering action is nice. They give in such a way as to make the grip as gentle or as tough as you want it. I find that with home made featherboards, that aspect is harder to control. If you cut the tongues too wide, or too thin, they can break. With the Bench Dog, they are more durable, never break, and are fully adjustable to the tension you want.
You can buy the mitre slot adapter, or style which is what I am talking about in this review. They also come with a T-nut style so you can use them in a track. That is simply a nut underneath that rides in your T-style track. They work even better than the mitre track method, which depending on your mitre track on your saw, may or may not grip as tightly as you would like, if it has even the slightest bit of oil, or waxy residue on the surface.
I must say that with either method, all in all a great piece of equipment. Handy, universal, and inexpensive considering how often you may get to use it.

It Works!
Either these fingerboards work well or they don't. This one does. Good quality all around. The short "starting" finger is a nice idea. It's also plenty big to fit just about any need. It's pricy but I would buy again. ... Read more

Features

• Four quick-release aluminum poles extend approx. 19 feet & collapse for easy storage
• Patented toboggan design easily glides up and over snow
• Shingle friendly design gently and easily pulls snow down over the shingle…the right way!
• Unique Coil-action and gravity quickly removes snow
• Works equally well with all types of snow

Features

• The ProFence features a bit guard, dust port, adjustable subfences, and clamping system
• Enclosed cabinet reduces noise and provides storage
• 24-by-32-inch high-pressure laminate top and insert plate accepts all routers--and Bench Dog's ProLift
• Accessory miter gauge track is adjustable, and includes a T-slot for featherboard mounting
• The ProFence is made from one piece of precision-machined aluminum--rated best fence by Fine Woodworking

Reviews (10)

Does the sum equal the parts?
The heart and soul of this router table are the Profence and the table top. The table top is made from MDF with an HPL finish, and is true/flat. The top comes complete with a miter gauge track w/t-slot, and a phenolic insert plate (plastic). The highly rated Profence comes with a particle board sub-fence and miter gauge track w/t-slot. These two components comprise 2/3 of the cost of the router table system and can be purchased separately/individually.

The last component is the particle board cabinet with plastic laminate finish. The cabinet comes with two doors which can be installed in the top or bottom of the cabinet, whichever you prefer. As the manual explains, "chipping is normal, and will not affect performance". The "Euro" cabinet door hinge is marketing lingo for "cheap" hardware. The cabinet is the only part of the router table system where Bench Dog "cheaps out".

Well, they could have included the aluminum insert plate in lieu of the plastic, uh hum...., I mean phenolic one. The casters with the leveling feet would also be nice. Oh yea, there are those optional drawers too. While I'm at it, you can throw in the remote on/off switch too.

Bench Dog offers a full line of optional accessories for the "Complete Router Table System" FTB400. They are well engineered, quality made, and costly. Especially their router lift, which is an exceptional piece of equipment (and worth the price).

That said, you still have to buy a router. Most routers now come with 1/4" and 1/2" collets included, although I always try to buy bits with a 1/2" shank. Overall, a large investment. So why not a shaper instead? You decide.

It's really expensive, overpriced
I bought the the RT400 table and fence at Austins hardwood, and the cabinet at Woodcraft. I thought I would just make my own cabinet, but time became an issue, and the table mounts were made to work on their cabinet. Easy to assemble, and no damage like the other reviews, Very accurate and straight. You can mill alot of wood on this baby. I bought the orange feather deals for the fence, well worth it. This is one heck of a machine base with the right router and plate system. Very stable with low vibration, dust pickup works great. I'm still having trouble with the price of the total package, but I guess you have to compare this with a real (cast Iron) table saw in the $1,500.00 range. BenchDog thought of almost everything. The cabinet drawers and wheels as a add on irk me. Talk about grinding the last dollar out of everyone. Greedy Bas????s. The price at Amazon is a good deal. I evaluated the others like the Freud table, cheezy - a joke, and the Bosch, too small, as well as others.

This is a professional piece of commercial equipment that will deliver professional results if your good enough to use it, and have the creative vision and inspiration to make cool things. Or just a good set of blueprints for a millwork order.

Extremely easy to assemble
Just got my Bench dog ftb400 yesterday. I am very much a "do it your self" kind of guy and I hesitated to buy a pre made table. I am very pleased with the fit and finish. Yes the cabinet is some sort of laminated particle board, but it is quite substantial. My top is true and the fence is as good as everyone says it is. Some one gave bench dog flak about a phenolic plate and called it plastic. Phenolic is not just plastic it is layers of fiber impregnated with resin, very strong stuff. Assembly was a breeze, about three hours. This product was well worth the money to me.

Company needs Quality control!
I purchased this router table partially based on the editorial review which states:
"The ProTop cabinet design comes with top-quality Euro hinges
and is made out of high-quality MDF components". This turns out not to be true. The cabinet is made of particle board which is brittle and chips easily.
Mine came with a couple of edge chips. Do NOT tighten the hardware too tight.

The doors for the unit were not routed or drilled for the "euro hinges".
I called Bench Dog and the woman I talked to was pleasant and apologetic and I received the correct doors in about a week.

I put the cabinet together making sure that the top edges were flat and aligned to provide a flat surface for the top and then I installed the top.
I then installed the phenolic plate and found that I could not level it.
I placed the fence on the top and saw that the top was warped to
the tune of almost 1/16 of an inch. The fence rocked on the table top.
I removed the top thinking that I did not have a flat mounting surface.
That was not the case. The top was indeed warped. I verified this by the use of a level and other straight edges.
They all rocked the same.

I did not relish the idea of packing the top up and sending it back and waiting for another one which may have also been warped, so I clamped the top against the warp for 24 hrs.
It corrected part of the problem,
however the warp would have come back to where it wanted to be.
I therefore had to placed thin card board shims along the edges of the cabinet to bring the top into true. It took a lot of time, but I finally have a reasonably flat top.
(The instructions didn't include these steps).

I finished the plate leveling which finally worked,and then installed the fence.
I noticed little white shavings on the table and found razor
sharp burrs and edges on the fence which were acting like little planes.

I took some 320 grit sandpaper and smoothed the edges in many
places on the fence and the four countersinks on the miter track. I cut my finger on one of these edges.
I recently saw one of these tables at a woodworking store and it did not have a lot of sharp edges.

I have not mounted a router to this table yet as I am still waiting for delivery of the router.
The fence itself seems pretty top notch after deburring.
I think I finally have a pretty decent table, but as you can see it was a difficult trip. For four hundred dollars I don't think
I should have had to go through all of this.
I am still not tickled with the particle board.

I have since mounted a router on the table and have had good
results with it. It is stable and the fence stays where you
put it. It's a pretty good table, but be prepared to twiddle
with it if yours is not inspected well at the factory.
Still not tickled with the particle board.

Great table!
The table is very well built. Table top is perfectly flat and fence is also square. Fence is very solid and the lock down for fence works very well. No give in fence and fence locks down solid. Very well built and nicely designed. Price is a little high but, I guess you get what you pay for. ... Read more

Features

• Three integral bit hole sizes: 2-inch, 2.6-inch and 3.7-inch openings
• Blanchard ground steel insert plate has electroless nickel surface
• Change your bits and set your bit height from above the table
• Cast aluminum housing is finned for motor cooling
• Acme column threaded 8 tpi for fast adjustments

Reviews (3)

Best of the Best
I installed PL1002 in the Bench Dog Router Table and its so nice to have a set up that is as rock solid as you can get. Sure its a little expensive but you get what you pay for. If you want the best, get the PL1002 along with the Bench Dog Router Table, you can not go wrong.

Major time saver
The Bench Dog lift gives you what you pay for. This is a precision made/machined router lift. It is HEAVY, reducing vibration substantially. Fit and finish are impressive.

This is not an accessorie, It is a neccessity!!!

Precision, heavy duty.
This router lift is a heavy duty, precision mechanism. It is possible to adjust your bit height to within .001". The 8 threads per inch adjusting screw means it it is much faster to raise the bit than the competition. The lift holds the router motor directly, so you can raise it high enough to change the bit from the top. I estimate that this lift cuts 2/3 from my set-up time.
Some nit-picking: An insert that fits Porter-Cable type guide bushings is extra cost.
I recommend that you get a remote on-off switch for safety's sake, since, like all table routers, the controls on the router are awkward to access. ... Read more

Features

• Blade changing tool for 10-inch saws
• Protects your blade and your hands
• No need to remove the blade guard
• Includes Feather-Loc featherboard

Reviews (4)

Cheaper to buy individually
You can buy these individually on Amazon for $28.00 and change.

Bench Dog is A Pedigree
I have Bench Dog's RT-250 table saw extension, router table, and it is built like a rock. I bought a few of their featherboards, and this combo kit as well. I needed to find a better way to change the blade on the table saw. What I really want to talk about is the featherboards. This one comes with the 3/4" Miter Track adapter. What that is, is a thick piece of aluminum, that is open in the middle. When you tighten the knobs on the top of the featherboard, it pulls the 3/8" headnut up into the adapter, spreading it. Snugs it into your miter track real nice. Technically if you have some wax or oil in the track, you will have to tighten it well.
By undoing the nut, and removing the adapter, it doubles as a 3/8" T-track featherboard. That is a common size track, and has the advantage of creating a track-tunnel, that the head of the nut will not come out of, no matter how hard we try. :-)
So what about home made featherboards? I'm sure there are those who have featherboard making, down to a science. My personal experience, is that the ribs are either too thick, and resist the workpiece too much, or too thin, and break readily. These Bench Dogs are none of that. Strong, yet gentle, firm enough to hold onto a 2x10 if you wanted them to. Easily adjustable, with just the right amount of tension, and yet finely adjustable for even the smaller pieces of work.
The other big advantage is that they are right there, in the work area, where you want them. No far reaching clamps. You can use one or two, on the table, both as an infeed, and an outfeed guide. Additionally, you may want to have one on the infeed, and outfeed above-on your fence. An inexpensive 3/8" T-Track will give you that kind of pressure and security that these tracks allow. Helps prevent kickback, from a workpiece lifting slightly off of the table saw. It lifts, an 1/8", and gets trapped between the fence and the blade, and out of nowhere, you get a piece of what is now scrap, snapping into your belly. It only happened to me once, but now I stand off to one side of the saw. You may notice that the safety hold downs that come with the better saws, are designed to achieve just that. This featherboard, will take care of that for you.
When routing, I use them. All it takes is a slight lifting of the material, and you have a noticeable defect in the workpiece. With these you get great results every time. You are almost tempted to pause. It holds it that true. If it wasn't for burning, I would go answer the phone, in the middle of a run. :-) Just kidding of course, but you get the idea.
These are substantially made. You could run them over in your car, and it wouldn't hurt them. Will definitely last a long time, and should never wear out.
The big advantage is the amount of set up time you save. It is easy to get the right amount of resistance out of them. Just right, so it ever so slightly slows the work, while maintaining just the right amount of pressure to keep the work true. I was unable to achieve that myself. Bench Dog featherboards keep that artistic posture flowing. Highly recommended.
What about Bench Dog? They are the winners of several accolades, not the least of which is editors choice awards. Once you start to experience the super engineering, and durable quality of the line, you'll know your bitten by the dog. Then you will want to write crazy long reviews, and give it to everone else. :-) Buy them, you won't be sorry.

Helpful to have- but not perfect
I have owned these accessories for about 4 months now, and they basically work. I questioned how long the Blade-Loc would stand up to a sharp saw blade and that is, essentially my problem. I believe that already after only 12 or so changes from rip to crosscut to my beloved Forrest it is now slipping regardless of the pressure I put on it. It still works if I use the front stabilizing wedge in the tooths of my blade - but why pay the money - right? Well that brings to me to part that I am rather pleased with in the featherboard, that works very well. The ABS plastic is smooth enough that the work moves along effortlessly and the split prong w/ tapered bolt setup for the miter slot works great. The feathers are definitley rigid enough to hold the ever dangerous kick backs and is both easy to adjust and remove. The featherboard is great, Blade Loc not as great. Since it comes in a combo pack and I am still using the Blade Loc ( although not exactly as intended ) I can still recommend it.

A must for any serious woodworker!
It's about time that something like this comes around! Its nice to finally have a tool capable of holding the blade still when you are trying to change it. Besides that, you can be as rough as you want to with it, and it will not break. The featherboard is also an excellent asset to the tablesaw, remaining stationary as you run your wood through the blade. This is a must for any serious woodworker! ... Read more