Rockler Drill Guide Review
The Rockler drill guide is one of the best portable drill guides available. It produces accurate, repeatable holes that work on a variety of surfaces and projects. It's an essential tool for anyone who owns a drill and needs to drill accurate holes in wood, metal or other materials.
The base is made of metal or plastic; metallic bases offer superior precision and stability, while plastic ones are lightweight but less durable. It's also important to look for a model that can withstand the heat produced when drilling holes.
Drilling angled holes is an especially challenging task, so it's essential to get a portable drill guide with a pivoting base. This way, you can position the drill bit at an angle without having to tilt the stock.
It's also crucial to choose a drill guide that can accommodate power drill bits of various diameters. Ideally, the chuck should be capable of accepting the most common power drill bits with 3/8 and 1/2 inch holes, so you can easily use it with different power drills.
Another feature to consider is a depth collar that slides up and down the guide rods. This makes it easier to set the exact depth of your hole, avoiding undercutting and overcutting. Some models have a depth collar that locks down, but this can be difficult to adjust when using a handheld saw or other cutting tool. Finally, it's critical to look for a model that includes a return spring for the chuck head, so you can easily line up the drill bit against a layout mark.