V-Drill Guide, Standard sizes 3/8" to 1/2"

Wanted to hang a floating shelf but didn't want to spring for a drill press. This tool did an amazing job at allowing me to drill a straight blind hole over 5" deep. Would highly recommend this to anyone who has a need to drill straight holes (sometimes blind) but doesn't have the room or the justification for a drill press. I would also suggest purchasing a good clamp to ensure it stays in place when you're drilling.

Hand drilling square is not much of a challenge when your sight lines are clear. However, where you can't eliminate parallax error (i.e. you have your head and body stuck in a tight cabinet) these simple Big Gator drill guides are excellent aids for starting square pilot and clearance holes. The guides are precision manufactured (sintered I believe - not machined) to each bit size marked on Gator's various block sizes that they market. In fact, the hole tolerances are rather tight such that starting the "ears" of a brad point bit into its respective hole size takes a moment to align. But close tolerances are what you want in a set up tool like this -- so, you just need to start the bit on the guide block before you poke your head into that tight cabinet you're building :) . Gator warns that the blocks can rust, so oiling or waxing is advised. However, I'm in bone dry California, so I have never applied anything to the blocks, with no resulting issues of rust damage. However, I do keep the blocks in their supplied durable plastic sleeves which may have a bit of "factory oil" in them. I've used the "standard size" guide block (1/8" to 3/8" ??) for years with no detectable wear or "slop" in any of the guide holes. Thus, I believe the blocks are rather hard, similar to any quality drill guide bushing. As well, the guide blocks are produced flat. Specifically, set them on a flat surface like your table saw or router table and they will sit true (no rocking). A slight downer is the pricing, but this is a quality tool that will give you many years of service.

Muy util para hacer perforaciones rectas en tubo cuadrado de fierro PTR. Solo es necesario fijar la guía con una prensa de tonillo.

Arrived on time and as described. Well made and solid.

Makes drilling normal (that is, perpendicular) holes with a handheld drill easy. Also allows drilling a hole in the middle of a dowel. Could not be more rugged. Takes up little room in the toolbox. Kinda expensive for what it is, but it's a tool that will last a lifetime or two.