Woodpeckers launched a new freehand router guard, the Freehand Guard 2.0, which is designed for use with router tables.
There are certain operations where you might want to make freehand cuts, such as when guiding a curved workpiece along a template router bit with bearing.
Here’s what the original Woodpeckers Freehand Guard looks like.
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Woodpeckers says the 2.0 is new and improved, and that certainly looks to be true. The new model is also less expensive.
It gives you 2 pivot points for starting your cuts, and a dust port that can be used with 2-1/4″ and 2-1/2″ vacuum hose nozzles. Woodpeckers says that it collects over 90% of the wood chips generated.
There’s a clear guard that helps protect users from accidental contact with spinning router bits.
If you don’t have a Woodpeckers router table, you’ll need a 1/4″ drill bit for through-holes with use with bolts, or a 1/4″ tap drill (#7) and 1/4″-20 tap.
The introductory price is $40, and will be going up to $45 on July 14, 2025.
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fred
I bought the original version (# FHG – UPC 837654658024) in 2013 for $29.99
Amazon still lists it at an inflated price.
https://www.amazon.com/Woodpeckers-Precision-Woodworking-Tools-FHG/dp/B00JZ5VKOQ
I used it infrequently when I first bought it – but don’t recall when I mounted it the last time. Not that I had any issues with it – just lazy I suppose to dig it out then mount it. I do often use a starting pin when free hand routing – but I don’t do much of this.
A bit off topic – but Jassem just sent out an email with a promo code (SUMMER15) for 15% off their stuff
Robert
Stuart, your description reminds me why I didn’t buy the original WP router guard either. I’m not crazy about drilling into my Bosch router table. I would have hoped version 2.0 would have a better way of accommodating
non-Woodpeckers tables.
Stuart
How would you prefer to securely attach it to aluminum router plates?
Robert
More patterns plates to match more brands of router tables. Or if the short red horizontal arms that hold the vertical silver posts were articulated to adjust in the horizontal plane, to accommodate more router tables, and then could be locked in position. I have their drill guide, so I know Woodpeckers is not shy about having multiple pieces to set up. Sure, it would cost more, but I would pay it to feel safer doing free hand routing on a table.
Doug Strange
Not crazy about drilling into my Saw Stop Router table surface. I they had a Maglock version, I think I would consider it……
Rod
I have the original guard and love it. It helps with the starting point for the route, and it also means dust is cut down to an absolute minimum. I think this will address the issues with the old one, notably that it was not high enough. I actually made my own replacement wood pot for the original guide because it wasn’t high enough for things. I was routing. I have the new guard on order too. One thing I would say is that it only requires one bolt to hold it down, I have the jessum router table and the quarter inch bolt holes don’t align, but using one holds it down firmly
Greg
Surprisingly reasonably priced for a woodpecker’s product.
Mel
I saw the ad for Version 2.0 last week and was very excited, especially to reduce dust, but reading the description noticed it’s made for Woodpecker tables. As with other comments, I don’t want to drill into my Rockler plate to accommodate the new version.