3/8"-1/2" V-DRILLGUIDE / STD2000DGNP

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.

This is a great tool. Well machined, with a robust feel. Some reviews mention a concern that the drill bit might wear out the guide. I dont believe that will happen, and if you use the tool so much that you do end up getting excessive wear, then l think it will have done some pretty sterling service by then. Its just the right size for a pocket or for your tool box. I originally bought the smaller size from a supplier here in Australia, and liked it so much that I bought the larger size from a distributor in the US as well. Its easy to clamp onto flat or round workpieces. I use the holes to accurately select the right size dowels and by selecting the hole size that matches a screw thread, its also useful for geting the clearance hole spot on. I find myself finding jobs so that I can use the tool. Its sufficiently deep to give you a really good straight hole when you drill. I find that if you centre punch where you want to drill, then loosely hold the guide so that the point of the drill engages in the divot made by the punch, and then clamp the guide, you get an accurate hole where you need it. I love it, and will probably get some of the other sets as well. I wish they were available here in Australia. Highly recommended, even if you've got a drill press.

I can't say enough good things about these drill guides. They are useful, practical, well made and the sophistication is in the simplicity. They are tough as nails, too! You can beat the crap out of these things and still drill a straight 90... they are built like a tank turret. I have used these for woodworking, metal working, prototyping, electrical, home repair... you name it. When you are willing to run out to your vehicle in the pouring down rain to get them, just to drill a couple of holes, that should tell you something. Like a speed square or torpedo level, everyone from master carpenters to plumbers, electricians and DIY'ers should have a set of these. Anyone who doesn't understand why these are useful and worth your hard earned money, "just ring your call button and Tommy will come back there and hit you on the head with a tack hammer because you're a *rxxxxd*."

I have other drill guides but not for the size I needed. The only complaint I would have for this product is that the cost seems excessive. That being said, this is heavy duty and will last for as long as I need it. It is highly effective for drilling straight holes.

I have used this device for several years on various projects to drill holes on round tubing pipe etcetera it's very helpful in centering the drill bit and seems to be of good quality I would recommend it it's not perfect, but it certainly helps with free hand drilling

This is a clever and simple device to get a drilling hole started straight on a flat or right-angle regular surface. It's exactly what I needed for a project and it will come in useful, and for a tiny fraction of the cost of a drill press, it provides for me 50% of the functionality. It's hard to hold still when a drill bit is both trying to skid the material and spin the tool. It really works better to be clamped securely if that is possible in the given situation. For the price, it is well made, with legible markings. I highly recommend it.

Needed to drill holes on a round dowel and this worked perfectly.

I bought these before I purchased a drill press. They work very well and show no signs of wear. One must understand how to use them, however. The sides are lightly scored with center lines for each hole. In bright lights, they are hard to see. I now use my hand drill to make a small divit, I then stick the drill bit through the guide and position the bit into the divit. I will either hand hold the guide or clamp it down for larger bits or where the wood might move the bit. It also has a "v" shaped channel cut to center the guide over a pipe although I haven't used that feature.