Milescraft DrillMate review: a guide for straighter holes

This is a research-based revision of our original article, not a new hands-on test. We checked the manufacturer’s published features on September 6, 2026. We have not measured this tool’s runout, hole accuracy, or repeatability.

What you’re actually buying

A drill guide helps you control the path of a handheld drill. That can be useful when freehand drilling is difficult but a drill press would take up more space than the task warrants. Whether it is the right purchase depends on the holes you need to make, the bits you already own, and how you will support the work.

Choose the project first: a few holes in an awkwardly positioned workpiece raise different questions from a large batch of tightly fitted joints. For the latter, look for measured test results before relying on this guide.

Features confirmed by Milescraft

These are manufacturer specifications, not our test results. The original article’s bubble-level claim is not supported by the current feature list and has been removed. Source: Milescraft’s DrillMate product page.

Before you buy

• Check your bit shanks. The guide’s chuck capacity matters independently of the chuck on your power drill.
• Plan the setup. Think through how the base and workpiece will be secured, and whether the guide will have room around the intended hole.
• Define acceptable accuracy. A general repair and a tightly fitted joint may have very different tolerances. Do not substitute the angle marking for a verified result.
• Compare the complete cost. Include any fixtures or workholding you need, alongside the guide itself.

Drill guide or drill press?

If drilling is a frequent part of your work, compare a dedicated drill press as well. The decision is about your workspace and workflow, not just the purchase price. If the work regularly needs to happen away from the bench, a portable guide deserves a place on the shortlist.

We would want to test square-hole accuracy, repeated depth settings, setup time, and movement under load before making a stronger recommendation. Our earlier article repeated broad claims about perfect results without providing those measurements; this version does not carry those claims forward.

Our buying advice

Shortlist the 1318 if portability solves a real problem in your shop. Confirm compatibility and read the manufacturer’s instructions before purchase and use. Check the listing for the exact model and included parts.

Still assembling your kit? Read our guide to setting up a woodworking shop before adding another tool.