Woodpeckers Auto-Line Drill Guide

[MTbassbone]

Anyone have one of these?  I have a drill press that takes up way to much space in my garage, and needs an overhaul.  However, this looks like it might meet 95% or more of my needs. 

 

[Erich]

I have one on order because it looks very capable. It is new for them. Not due to ship until the end of July.

 

[MTbassbone]

It will be interesting to see it stacks up against the Rockler drill guide.

 

[rmhinden]

I purchased the Rockler Portable Drill Guide earlier this year for a project.    It is pretty stout and works well for me.  I first tried another brand, but found it to be too flimsy. 

It doesn't replace my drill press, but great for times when the work pieces are too big to bring to the drill press. 

BTW, I have looked at the WP drill guide on the web, seems interesting but might be finicky with all of the different parts and attachments.  It's also quite expensive even compared to the Rockler that wasn't cheap.

 

[DynaGlide]

I'm holding out for a drill guide with a vacuum clamping base. The WP was just about perfect but they left out the ability to attach a sub base.

 

[chrisrosenb]

I'm holding out for a drill guide with a vacuum clamping base. The WP was just about perfect but they left out the ability to attach a sub base.

The holes for the centering pins could be used to attach a sub base.

 

[Packard]

This design appeals to me, but I can't find much information about it. 
https://innovativetooling.com/product/itmda-manual-drill-attachment-tool/

Features
Adjustable guide rods for different cutting tool lengths.
Also available set up for external vacuum.
Adjustable spring tension allows variance of resistance to operator.
Adjustable stop collar – eliminates drill breakthrough damage.
1-1/2″ guide rod bushings for increased stability.
Precision hole-drilling at a fraction of the cost of conventional power-feed drillmotors.
Weighs only 4 lbs light.

It is designed for aircraft assembly so I would imagine it is going to be pricey.  I don't know if "external vacuum" means chip removal or vacuum clamping.  They say "call for availability" and they don't list the price.

 

[ChuckM]

I purchased the Rockler Portable Drill Guide earlier this year for a project.    It is pretty stout and works well for me.  I first tried another brand, but found it to be too flimsy.
Snip.

I tried this one (at less than one third of the price of the Rockler's) borrowed from a neighbor, and it worked pretty well:https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/shop/tools/jigs-guides-and-fixtures/73237-drill-guide?item=46J8370

But this kind of drill guide is no match to the WP's which has a fence system.

 

[Packard]

It appears to be the same one offered by Amazon for $33.00. (Though Lee Valley does not show part numbers).

And when I look it up at Lee Valley, they are showing $36.50 and not $49.50.  Same item.  Same vendor.  Two different prices.  Strange.
https://www.leevalley.com/en-us/sho...MIxdLLo7y18AIV4f3jBx2WkAQVEAkYBCABEgLNSfD_BwE
https://www.amazon.com/Milescraft-1...1Z92I/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=milescraft+drill+guide&qid=1620318118&sr=8-1

 

[chrisrosenb]

It appears to be the same one offered by Amazon for $33.00. (Though Lee Valley does not show part numbers).

And when I look it up at Lee Valley, they are showing $36.50 and not $49.50.  Same item.  Same vendor.  Two different prices.  Strange.
https://www.leevalley.com/en-us/sho...MIxdLLo7y18AIV4f3jBx2WkAQVEAkYBCABEgLNSfD_BwE
https://www.amazon.com/Milescraft-1...1Z92I/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=milescraft+drill+guide&qid=1620318118&sr=8-1

$36.50 is the US dollars price. $49.50 is the Canada dollars price.

 

[Packard]

Yes, that makes more sense.  I didn't look to see where it was located.  I have bought from other than USA Amazon.com.

I've bought from Amazon.de (Germany) and Amazon.sp (Spain) for items not imported to the USA.

 

[TinyShop]

The Auto-Line was discussed earlier:
https://www.festoolownersgroup.com/...k-technology-drill-guide/msg631440/#msg631440

 

[WillAdams]

I have decided to pick up the DJ-3 from Bridge City Tool Works once it's released later this year (see the announcement/discussion on John Economaki's blog on the Bridge City Tool Works site) --- looks capable and precise enough to do pretty much everything.

 

[chrisrosenb]

I have the DJ-2.  While I don't use it often (can and prefer to use the dp most of the time) it has worked well when I needed it.  I also have the expansion pack but haven't used it.

I also have the DJ-2. It works very well. I do not have the expansion pack.

 

[MTbassbone]

I am leaning towards the Rockler guide now.  It seems to be a bit more stable.  I too saw the drill bit wobbling in the video of the Woodpeckers guide.

 

[MTbassbone]

I reached out to WPer's about the wobble in the video and any reports of run out.  Here is their response:

"The product has been thoroughly tested and prototyped.  The chuck is a quality unit made by Yukiwa-Seiko. I'm not sure of the specs on the chuck or the variables in the drill bit used in the video.  Runout in the chuck should be minimal.  It mostly depends on the bit used."

My only hesitation about the Rockler drill guide is whether I could make a DIY fence.  Anyone with the Rockler guide have any experiences with this?  Also do you feel it is a reasonable option for a small work space where a drill press cannot fit?

 

[rmhinden]

My only hesitation about the Rockler drill guide is whether I could make a DIY fence.  Anyone with the Rockler guide have any experiences with this?  Also do you feel it is a reasonable option for a small work space where a drill press cannot fit?

I haven't made a fence, but I was drilling 1 1/4" holes with a forstner bit on the top of a vice jaw for dog holes, I screwed the drill guide to a board, to increase the stability.  Based on this I assume you could make a fence. 

I use it for drilling vertical holes on things I can't bring to the drill press.  I don't think of it as a replacement for a drill press, but as a supplement.  I suppose if I didn't have a drill press, I might consider making a fixture to attach it to a Festool rail if I wanted to drill a series of holes.    Sort of like the LR-32 setup.

Bob

 

[Cypren]

I preordered the WP drill guide back when it was first announced. My general experience with WP has been that they make excellent products and stand behind them: I feel fairly confident that if there are any issues with runout or alignment, they'll either fix them before shipping or make it right afterwards. I just did a project where this thing would have been a huge help to me; I would have loved to just clamp my drill and go rather than dragging a bunch of panels over to the drill press and trying to keep them aligned and steady on the table.

 

[MTbassbone]

I ended up ordering the Rockler drill guide.  If it doesn't seem like what I want I will return it and give the Woodpeckers a try.

 

[Cheese]

From Woodpecker's:

With regards to your purchase of the AUTO-LINE DRILL GUIDE - SKU: ALDG-21, shipping is ahead of schedule!  We will ship beginning today and will continue until all orders have been filled. You will receive an email confirmation when your order is shipping to you.