If you're doing free hand routing, you know how tricky it can be to start the cut. Router bits tend to spin the board and gouge the wrong edge when you start the cut. This often results in damage to your carefully shaped furniture parts. Starting Pins can help you gain control but don't offer dust collection or protection from flying chips. The new Woodpecker Free-Hand Guard does all these things in a well built, high quality form. The Free-Hand Guard serves three purposes; first it provides a fulcrum to rest your board against, second a dust port for a hose hook up and third a shield to keep chips from flying up into your face. (The shield is not a substitute for goggles.)Our new Free-Hand Guard attaches directly to any Woodpecker Router Plate or Lift and Woodcraft's Pinnacle Router Plate that has 4 threaded starting pin holes. Two knobs make it simple and fast to install or remove. It's also adaptable to other brand plates by simply drilling two holes and using the included alternate attachment screws. (Instructions included.)The Free-Hand Guard is made up of a laminated birch base, a phenolic top plate, an acrylic shield with a combination 2 1/2-inch - 2 1/4-inch dust port. Accommodates materials up to 1 1/2-inch in thickness.