We Tried the Hedgehog Featherboard for Straight (and Safe) Cuts on the Table Saw
Updated: Mar. 22, 2024
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The Hedgehog spiral featherboard is a tried-and-tested way to make cuts straight and keep you safe when ripping through wood. With just the right amount of flex, this featherboard is extremely effective at holding boards in place and preventing kickback while using a table saw, router table or band saw. Our behind-the-scenes handyman, Frank Tritschler, tested the Hedgehog for effectiveness, safety, ease of use and durability. Here’s what he found out.
What is the Hedgehog featherboard?
The Hedgehog featherboard gives you the control to cut wood with precision. It makes using a table saw safer and keeps your cuts straight. Not only is it perfect for beginners, but it’s also ideal for experienced woodworkers. That’s because the Hedgehog securely holds the board against the fence while keeping your fingers safely out of the way, preventing kickback.
This happy yellow tool is shaped like a hedgehog (hence the name) and made from strong, flexible nylon to help you glide through your projects like a pro. The Hedgehog’s feathered spine provides one-way pressure to guide the board and keep cuts straight. The cast aluminum miter clamp fits in a 3/4-inch miter slot on your table saw, router table or band saw. Hedgehog also offers a 5/8-inch miter clamp.
The featherboard has a single pivot point and sets up quickly. It can also be used vertically if your fence has a slot, making it a versatile tool. Plus, when you need to work on the other side of the table, you’re able to reverse the Hedgehog. Simply remove the knob and flip the hardware to the opposite side. It’s that easy!
VIA MERCHANT
We Tried It
Hedgehog Featherboard
Keep your cuts straight and yourself safe with the Hedgehog spiral featherboard. Get the precision and control you need to saw through your next woodworking project with ease.
Hedgehog Featherboard Features
Experienced woodworkers call this hedgehog-shaped gadget genius. The single knob is not only fast, it’s also adaptable for stacking featherboards to cut taller boards with maximum stability. The Hedgehog quickly adjusts to different board widths with the turn of the knob. The minimum reach from the center point is 1 9/16-inches, and the maximum is 6 3/4 inches. If you’re cutting long runs, add more than one Hedgehog to your table for increased stability and control.
We Ripped Through a Variety of Boards to Test the Hedgehog Featherboard
Even though I come from a long line of skilled carpenters and handymen, the last time I attempted to use any power saw was when I took woodworking in 4-H—too long ago to remember the safety rules of power tools. I deferred to the experts in our Family Handyman workshop to let our pros test the Hedgehog spiral featherboard.
We easily attached the Hedgehog featherboard to the 3/4-inch miter slot on the table saw. We used varying widths of wood while working on the table saw, as well as the band saw and router table. The Hedgehog was easy to adjust, putting just the right amount of pressure against the board to hold it in place. The operation was smooth and seamless and, as a result, the cuts were precise and straight. The Hedgehog is like having a third hand to hold the board in place while letting the saw rip through the wood.
Although we didn’t have the 5/8-inch miter clamp or the stacking adapter for thicker wood, the Hedgehog performed on par with pricier magnetic featherboards for most tasks.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Protects against kickback
- Ensures straight cuts with one-way pressure
- Reversible
- Stackable for taller boards
- Quick one-knob setup
- Durable nylon construction
- Lightweight and portable
- Affordable
Cons
- May not perform well with uneven boards
FAQ
How do you use a Hedgehog featherboard?
First, insert the miter clamp into the miter slot on the table. Next, position the board firmly against the fence. Move the Hedgehog 2 inches ahead of the saw blade, then rotate the featherboard so that its fingers are flexed to apply pressure to the board. Lastly, tighten the knob. The featherboard guides the wood as you push it toward the blade.
What does a featherboard do on a router?
A featherboard holds the material you’re cutting in place. It applies consistent pressure to keep the material flat against the fence of the router table. A featherboard acts as a safety tool that helps prevent kickback from the saw blade, and aides the user in getting a nice straight cut.
What Other Reviewers Had to Say
Out of over 1,600 ratings, the Hedgehog featherboard has an average of 4.6 out of five stars. Here’s what real users have to say about the tool:
“Great addition to your table saw. I wish I had purchased long ago,” writes verified purchaser, Tommy Crews. “Simple to put on and remove. Adjustment for different size wood is so easy. Highly recommend.”
Five-star reviewer, Charles Sandner, writes, “This works far easier, and better, than any other of my featherboards. That is key. If they are a pain to adjust, you tend not to use them too much. Safety tools don’t work well if you don’t use them.”
“I bought this now after being introduced to it by a Stumpy Nubs video long ago. I have now used it for a few days and I really enjoy it. Simple one-handed operation as advertised. And far less finicky than my other straight featherboards,” shares Katie, another five-star reviewer.
Hedgehog Featherboard Accessories
You can expand the Hedgehog featherboard capacity with the tall stacking accessory, which connects two featherboards for a total height of 2 1/4 inches for more control over taller boards. If you’re not already a Hedgehog owner, grab the bundle with two hedgehogs plus the stacking accessory. And if you need a Hedgehog with a 5/8-inch miter clamp, that’s available, too.
High-end magnetic featherboards cost twice as much as the Hedgehog and may not work on all tables. The Hedgehog’s single-knob adjustment sets up with one hand and a quick turn of the knob, making work fast and safe—especially because users claim they’re more likely to use the Hedgehog more often than a featherboard with multiple knobs.
Why You Should Trust Us
As a neophyte woodworker, I consulted our in-house professional handyman, Frank Tritschler, who spends his days building sets, working on remodeling projects, and assisting beginners like me. With over 30 years in the trades, Frank is an invaluable resource when it comes to tools. He kindly showed me the types of featherboards in the workshop, and happily tried the Hedgehog spiral featherboard.
Final Verdict
We were impressed with the effectiveness, durability and ease of use of the Hedgehog featherboard. This $35 tool is a must-have item in any workshop. In fact, having two Hedgehogs on hand isn’t a bad idea for taller or longer boards. Even though Frank uses an expensive magnetic featherboard for most of his work, he highly recommends the Hedgehog for entry-level woodworkers and contractors on the go. It’s lightweight, easy to operate and has the right amount of flex to keep cuts straight. The single-handed adjustability makes using this featherboard fast and simple.
Where to Buy the Hedgehog Featherboard
Keep yourself safe and your cuts straight with the best featherboard for under $35. Pick up your Hedgehog featherboard (and accessories) at Amazon and Tool Nut and glide through your projects with ease and precision.
VIA MERCHANT
We Tried It
Hedgehog Featherboard
Keep your cuts straight and yourself safe with the Hedgehog spiral featherboard. Get the precision and control you need to saw through your next woodworking project with ease.
Originally Published: March 22, 2024
