Woodworking Accessories Worth Keeping On Your Bench
The Kreg K5 pocket-hole jig is the most useful all-round accessory for joinery, the MICROJIG GRR-RIPPER GR-100 is the safest way to push stock past a table-saw blade, and the Wixey WR300 digital angle gauge gives the best value for dialing in precise bevels.
If you want faster, cleaner joinery, start with the Kreg K5 pocket-hole jig; for safer rip cuts reach for the MICROJIG GRR-RIPPER, and for exact bevels the Wixey WR300 angle gauge is hard to beat. Those three cover the jobs most hobby shops repeat every weekend.
Accessories are tricky because a shop only has so much drawer space and plenty of gadgets never leave the box. We compared these picks on specifications, documented accuracy figures and the feedback owners report, so you can spend on tools that actually get used rather than novelty.
How to choose
Buy accessories you will actually repeat The best accessory is one that solves a job you do often. Pocket-hole jigs, featherboards and angle gauges pay for themselves because they touch nearly every project, while single-purpose gadgets tend to gather dust. Start with the repeat tasks in your own shop and buy toward those first.
Safety accessories are not optional Pushblocks, featherboards and clamp guides do more than improve cuts; they keep fingers away from spinning blades. A quality pushblock like the GRR-RIPPER lets you rip narrow stock without ever placing a hand near the blade path, which is exactly where most table-saw injuries happen.
Accuracy tools reduce waste Digital angle gauges and calipers remove guesswork from setups, which means fewer scrapped boards and tighter joints. A tenth-degree bevel read or a thousandth-inch caliper measurement lets you dial a cut once instead of creeping up on it and wasting material along the way.
Match accessories to your machines Miter-slot and T-track sizes vary between saw brands, so check fit before buying featherboards or jigs that ride those slots. Clamp edges and calipers are more universal, but confirm capacity and length so the accessory suits the size of work you typically build.
The best picks, ranked
Kreg K5 Pocket-Hole Jig
The K5 turns simple butt joints into strong pocket-hole joinery without complicated clamping. A ratcheting front clamp and removable drill guide block make repeat holes fast and consistent. It is the accessory most owners say they reach for on nearly every project.
Pros
- Fast, repeatable joinery setup
- Adjustable depth for many stock thicknesses
- Sturdy body handles daily use
Cons
- Screws and bit sold separately over time
- Larger footprint than mini jigs
MICROJIG GRR-RIPPER GR-100 Pushblock
The GRR-RIPPER keeps hands well clear of the blade while holding stock down and against the fence at the same time. Adjustable legs let you rip narrow strips that a standard pushstick cannot manage safely. Woodworkers report far more confidence at the table saw with it.
Pros
- Downforce and side pressure in one pass
- Handles very narrow rip cuts
- Modular legs for different widths
Cons
- Learning curve on first setup
- Costs more than a basic pushstick
Wixey WR300 Digital Angle Gauge
The WR300 reads bevel and blade angles to a tenth of a degree, so table-saw and miter tilts stop being guesswork. A magnetic base sticks to the blade or fence for a quick zero and read. For the money it is one of the most accuracy-boosting accessories you can add.
Pros
- Precise, repeatable bevel setting
- Magnetic base frees both hands
- Compact and inexpensive
Cons
- Small display in bright light
- Battery drains if left on
Milescraft 1406 FeatherBoard
This featherboard applies steady pressure to keep stock tight against the fence for cleaner, safer cuts. It fits standard miter slots and T tracks on most saws and router tables. Owners like that it reduces kickback risk and burn marks for very little outlay.
Pros
- Consistent fence pressure
- Fits most common slots
- Very affordable
Cons
- Plastic feels less rigid than metal
- Miter slot fit varies by brand
Rockler Bench Cookie Plus Work Grippers
Bench Cookies lift workpieces off the bench so you can sand, rout and finish all edges without clamps. The grippy surfaces hold panels in place while keeping wet finish off the table. They are a small accessory that quietly speeds up finishing day.
Pros
- Frees edges for full finishing
- Keeps finish off the bench
- Expandable with add on kits
Cons
- Grip drops when dusty
- Not for heavy vibration cuts
Bora 542013 WTX Clamp Edge Saw Guide
This clamp edge guides a circular saw for dead-straight cuts across plywood and long boards. It locks flat to the workpiece so the saw base rides the rail without wandering. Owners breaking down sheet goods without a track saw report it saves a lot of measuring.
Pros
- Straight cuts in sheet goods
- Clamps flat without slipping
- Cheaper than a full track saw
Cons
- Requires offset measurement
- Length limits very long rips
iGaging 100-333-8 Digital Caliper
This eight inch digital caliper reads inside, outside and depth measurements in inches, fractions or millimeters. It is handy for matching stock thickness, setting joinery gaps and checking bit diameters. Based on its specifications it offers workshop-friendly precision at a low price.
Pros
- Three unit readouts
- Handles inside and depth reads
- Inexpensive precision
Cons
- Battery hatch feels flimsy
- Zero can drift if bumped
The lineup, side by side
| # | Model | Type | Best for | Score | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kreg K5 Pocket-Hole Jig | Pocket-hole jig | Best overall | 9.4 | Check price |
| 2 | MICROJIG GRR-RIPPER GR-100 Pushblock | 3D pushblock | Best for saw safety | 9.2 | Check price |
| 3 | Wixey WR300 Digital Angle Gauge | One tenth degree | Best value | 9.0 | Check price |
| 4 | Milescraft 1406 FeatherBoard | Standard miter and T track | Best budget | 8.7 | Check price |
| 5 | Rockler Bench Cookie Plus Work Grippers | Four grippers | Best for finishing | 8.6 | Check price |
| 6 | Bora 542013 WTX Clamp Edge Saw Guide | Fifty inch | Best for straight cuts | 8.4 | Check price |
| 7 | iGaging 100-333-8 Digital Caliper | Eight inch | Best for measuring | 8.2 | Check price |
Good to know
What woodworking accessory should a beginner buy first?
A pocket-hole jig is a strong first purchase because it lets you build strong joints without advanced joinery skills. Pair it with a featherboard for safer cuts and you cover a lot of common projects early.
Are pocket-hole joints strong enough for furniture?
Yes, for most cabinets, shelves and face frames pocket-hole joints hold well when you use the correct screw length and glue the joint. They are widely used in production furniture, though visible joinery may call for other methods.
Do I need a pushblock if I already have a pushstick?
A pushblock adds downforce and side pressure that a thin pushstick cannot, which matters most on narrow rips. Many owners keep both and reach for the pushblock whenever stock gets close to the blade.
How accurate are digital angle gauges?
Units like the Wixey WR300 read to a tenth of a degree, which is far tighter than reading a saw scale by eye. Zero it on a known flat surface before each use for the most reliable results.
Will a featherboard fit any table saw?
Most fit standard miter slots and T tracks, but slot widths differ slightly between brands. Check your saw’s slot dimensions before buying so the featherboard locks securely.
Can a clamp edge replace a track saw?
For occasional sheet breakdown a clamp edge and a circular saw give straight, accurate cuts for much less money. A dedicated track saw is faster and cleaner if you cut plywood every day.
Are cheap digital calipers accurate enough for woodworking?
For woodworking tolerances an inexpensive caliper is usually plenty accurate, since wood moves more than the caliper’s error. Keep the jaws clean and confirm it zeroes correctly before measuring.
How do I keep bench grippers from slipping?
Keep the rubber surfaces clean and free of sawdust, since fine dust reduces grip. Wipe them occasionally and avoid using them under heavy vibration where clamps would be safer.
The verdict
For most shops the Kreg K5 pocket-hole jig, the MICROJIG GRR-RIPPER pushblock and the Wixey WR300 angle gauge form a core trio that improves joinery, safety and accuracy in one go. Add a featherboard and bench grippers as your projects demand, and you will have accessories that genuinely earn their place on the bench.
