Drill Perfect Holes With The New UJK Technology Drill Guide

[Claimdude]

Oops! Well, in addition to the photo of trees I uploaded here are the pics of the Rockler Drill Guide ;-)

So, I unboxed my drill guide from Rockler today and aside from the color and only one stop it could be a UJK drill guide. Here is a pic. I took a few more but can't find them at the moment. They used some king of bearings to glide on, action is smooth, etc. We'll see.

Jack

 

[Jiggy Joiner]

I love the trees!  [tongue]

 

[Euclid]

The trees are just "projects in waiting"...

I've been pleased with my UJK drill guide (latest version, I think); and the finish seems good, so maybe there is a little variability here?

 

[Claimdude]

Jiggy and Joiner are quite funny  8) [blink]

Jack

 

[Jiggy Joiner]

Jiggy and Joiner are quite funny  8) [blink]

Jack

[big grin]  [wink]

It does look similar to the UJK version but, with differences. Just yesterday I was in an Axminster store, and had their version in my hands.
The chuck bearings look different, and couple of other things but, you can bet your Rockler version is a big improvement on the early UJK version.
I was told yesterday, all the issues on the UJK are now sorted.
It seemed very smooth in movement, although so did the early version when new.
Anyway, good luck with the Rockler, I think it will be fine.

 

[Cheese]

So, I unboxed my drill guide from Rockler today and aside from the color and only one stop it could be a UJK drill guide.

That Rockler item is a huge improvement over the original UJK unit.  [cool]  The vertical rods on the Rockler are no longer able to travel through the base...that's a good thing.  On the original UJK, the rods could be lowered through holes in the base and then retightened with set screws. That caused the rods to look like this.

[attachimg=1]

And because there were no Oilite bearings used in the aluminum yoke, wear was an issue

[attachimg=2]

Consequently, 6 nylon setscrews with locknuts were utilized to eliminate the slop in the worn rod/yoke assembly.

[attachimg=3]

 

[Michael Kellough]

Got an email from Harvey Tool this morning in reply to my complaint that dimensions are missing from so many tool descriptions at their version of the Bridge City Tool website.

The email said Harvey makes tools for Grizzly and Axminster and others. Didn’t say which tools but this Rockler tool looks pretty good and not unlike their work.

 

[Svar]

Jiggy and Joiner are quite funny  8) [blink]
Jack

[big grin]  [wink]
It does look similar to the UJK version but, with differences.

Agreed. What Claimdude posted appears to be Quercus rubra (NA red oak). A UK based UJK version would have been Quercus robur (English or European oak). Both of the same genus.

But back to the drill guide. If there is no wobble in the bushings and chuck, and rods are parallel, then that is a great tool.

 

[Jiggy Joiner]

Jiggy and Joiner are quite funny  8) [blink]
Jack

[big grin]  [wink]
It does look similar to the UJK version but, with differences.

Agreed. What Claimdude posted appears to be Quercus rubra (NA red oak). A UK based UJK version would have been Quercus robur (English or European oak). Both of the same genus.

But back to the drill guide. If there is no wobble in the bushings and chuck, and rods are parallel, then that is a great tool.

[big grin] [big grin] [thumbs up]

 

[TinyShop]

Just in case folks missed it, the UJK (and I guess by extension the Rockler) drill stand (1st and 2nd generations) has been discussed at length elsewhere on the FOG (beginning at Post #55) :
https://www.festoolownersgroup.com/festool-tools-accessories/festool-drill-stand/30/

 

[TinyShop]

[member=10616]Claimdude[/member] - seven questions:

1. Judging from your photos, the Rockler version appears to feature brass or bronze bushings for the interface between the chuck carriage and the steel guide rods. As was discussed earlier,  the UJK version features bronze Oilite (oil impregnated) bushings. The advantage of these are that they provide continually lubricated operation while reducing to a minimum any play between the carriage and the guide rods. Are you able to discern any noticeable play between the chuck carriage and the guide rods on the Rockler version?

2. I note the Rockler version features a brass thumbscrew to lock the chuck carriage against one of the steel guide rods. I assume the use of a brass fastener is to prevent marring of the relevant steel guide rod. In practice, does use of the brass thumbscrew do an damage to the associated guide rod?

3. Do you have the capability of being able to determine if the guide rods are accurately parallel/coplaner/inline with with each other? If so, how are yours?

4. The first run of the 2nd Generation UJK-branded drill guide suffered from a problem with the rubber base which produced a wobble. Does yours suffer from this problem?

5. Assuming you have access to a caliper, what is the diameter of the guide rods? I'm wondering which size stop collar is compatible (since it should be a simple matter to acquire a second collar should two be desired).

6. The hex shaft connected to the chuck on the UJK version is Centrotec-compatible. It appears from your photos that the Rockler one may be as well. Can you confirm?

7. Do the graduations on the angle adjustment castings appear to be accurate and in agreement?

Looking forward to your reply!

 

[Claimdude]

Tinyshop,

1. The slide action is very smooth and there is a slight oil film left on the rods. Other than that I don't know what the makeup of the bushings is. If you know of a way of can tell for sure let me know.
2. The brass screw does not damage the rod when tightened on it.
3. The rods are coplaner, parallel etc as far as I can tell with a Woodpecker square
4. This one sets perfectly flat on the base. No rocking or movement at all.
5. The rod measures 13.83 mm or .544 in
6. The hex shaft does accept the centrotec chuck.
7. The markings are accurate and agree at least at 90 degrees which is the only way I gauged it.

I am not a huge Rockler fan but they appear to have done a good job on this item.

Jack

[member=10616]Claimdude[/member] - seven questions:

1. Judging from your photos, the Rockler version appears to feature brass or bronze bushings for the interface between the chuck carriage and the steel guide rods. As was discussed earlier,  the UJK version features bronze Oilite (oil impregnated) bushings. The advantage of these are that they provide continually lubricated operation while reducing to a minimum any play between the carriage and the guide rods. Are you able to discern any noticeable play between the chuck carriage and the guide rods on the Rockler version?

2. I note the Rockler version features a brass thumbscrew to lock the chuck carriage against one of the steel guide rods. I assume the use of a brass fastener is to prevent marring of the relevant steel guide rod. In practice, does use of the brass thumbscrew do an damage to the associated guide rod?

3. Do you have the capability of being able to determine if the guide rods are accurately parallel/coplaner/inline with with each other? If so, how are yours?

4. The first run of the 2nd Generation UJK-branded drill guide suffered from a problem with the rubber base which produced a wobble. Does yours suffer from this problem?

5. Assuming you have access to a caliper, what is the diameter of the guide rods? I'm wondering which size stop collar is compatible (since it should be a simple matter to acquire a second collar should two be desired).

6. The hex shaft connected to the chuck on the UJK version is Centrotec-compatible. It appears from your photos that the Rockler one may be as well. Can you confirm?

7. Do the graduations on the angle adjustment castings appear to be accurate and in agreement?

Looking forward to your reply!

 

[TinyShop]

Thanks [member=10616]Claimdude[/member]!

 

[TinyShop]

Just received the following response from Rockler regarding their version of the drill guide:

"The Rockler Portable Drill Guide has Self-Lubricating bushings. Additionally, this is not the same as the Axminster-Branded Drill Guide. Rockler's is much more substantial. It is larger in size and had a larger chuck which can accept 1/2" Drill bits. There are several other features including a 90° stop, storage holes, larger vise attachment, Easy-To-Grip Knobs and a quick lock brass knob which makes this a fantastic product which sets itself apart."

Not only does this appear to officially answer the question re: the bushings, it also points out the fact that the Rockler version features a slightly longer travel (8-7/8" versus 8.2") - meaning, I'm guessing, longer guide rods - a true 1/2" chuck (versus the 10mm chuck fitted to the stock UJK version) and, apparently, wider guide rod spacing (apparently allowing for a larger footprint optional vise).

 

[ben_r_]

Wow, love the looks of that Rockler version! Ill keep an eye on that and wait for them to work all the bugs and kinks out. From the reviews on their website it sounds like theyve got a few random issues popping up. Then Ill wait for a coupon/sale/discount!  [wink]

 

[Bob D.]

From an earlier post:

"The trees are just "projects in waiting"..."

Is that your vertical lumber storage rack?  [big grin]

 

[jimbo51]

Rockler website says drill guide out of stock until November

 

[ben_r_]

Rockler website says drill guide out of stock until November

I mean, I'm not sure I believe they've sold THAT many. I'm guessing they're saying until November because they've got some issues to fix in the design.

 

[Svar]

Rockler website says drill guide out of stock until November

I mean, I'm not sure I believe they've sold THAT many. I'm guessing they're saying until November because they've got some issues to fix in the design.

I've noticed sold out messages on many products lately. Particularly on lower volume items. Disruptions in supply chains for obvious reasons.

 

[ben_r_]

Rockler website says drill guide out of stock until November

I mean, I'm not sure I believe they've sold THAT many. I'm guessing they're saying until November because they've got some issues to fix in the design.

I've noticed sold out messages on many products lately. Particularly on lower volume items. Disruptions in supply chains for obvious reasons.

Me too, but I would tend to think that with a newer product they'd have locked down a good source for all the necessary components before releasing it, it's not like they didn't know the current situation and I'm not thinking THAT many people would be ordering these for them to "sell out", but who knows? Which makes me think the backlog is more due to a redesign/fixes, but I can see your angle too.