Bill Huber
06-28-2013, 6:44 PM
To start, I do not work for or know anyone at Jessem.
I have been waiting for feedback on the use of the new hold downs, there were a lot of guys that ordered them. But I have not seen any feed back. I was on vacation at the beach all week when mine came in so today I just had to go out and give them a try.
I have a Jessem router table with the Jessem fence on it and installing the hold downs is a snap. Slide them on and tighten them down where you want them, it is that easy. Like all of Jessem's stuff they are make like a battleship all parts are machined and look outstanding.
For testing I used some 3/4 inch poplar that was 27" long and bowed in the center.
Installed the hold downs placed one end of the board under the the in feed and pushed it down and locked it. Then did the same to the out feed hold down. The pressure needed is not near what it looked like the video, it just does not take that much. I used my finger to tighten the locking screws and that work just fine, I thing maybe if you were setting up to do a lot you may want to use the wrench.
I cut a rabbet, 1/4" x 3/8" with the bow up and then did the same with the bow down, in both cases the rabbet was the same all the way down the board. Even with the bow the hold downs pressed it down on the table. I just used one finger to push the wood though the bit and it held it against the fence with no problem.
The hold downs are much easier to use and faster then feather boards, I have the Jessem feather boards which are easy to install and use but the new hold downs are faster and easier. With the feather boards when you have the pressure set there is a lot of drag and if there is a bow in the wood they some times will not push it against the table because they flex, the new hold downs don't flex.
The wrench is fine and will work but I have a Bondhus ball-headed screwdriver handle that is really nice for the job. Again I don't think you will need it that much but when you do the ball-head is really nice.
265319 265320 265321
I have been waiting for feedback on the use of the new hold downs, there were a lot of guys that ordered them. But I have not seen any feed back. I was on vacation at the beach all week when mine came in so today I just had to go out and give them a try.
I have a Jessem router table with the Jessem fence on it and installing the hold downs is a snap. Slide them on and tighten them down where you want them, it is that easy. Like all of Jessem's stuff they are make like a battleship all parts are machined and look outstanding.
For testing I used some 3/4 inch poplar that was 27" long and bowed in the center.
Installed the hold downs placed one end of the board under the the in feed and pushed it down and locked it. Then did the same to the out feed hold down. The pressure needed is not near what it looked like the video, it just does not take that much. I used my finger to tighten the locking screws and that work just fine, I thing maybe if you were setting up to do a lot you may want to use the wrench.
I cut a rabbet, 1/4" x 3/8" with the bow up and then did the same with the bow down, in both cases the rabbet was the same all the way down the board. Even with the bow the hold downs pressed it down on the table. I just used one finger to push the wood though the bit and it held it against the fence with no problem.
The hold downs are much easier to use and faster then feather boards, I have the Jessem feather boards which are easy to install and use but the new hold downs are faster and easier. With the feather boards when you have the pressure set there is a lot of drag and if there is a bow in the wood they some times will not push it against the table because they flex, the new hold downs don't flex.
The wrench is fine and will work but I have a Bondhus ball-headed screwdriver handle that is really nice for the job. Again I don't think you will need it that much but when you do the ball-head is really nice.
265319 265320 265321