Use a Level or Mirror for Visual Alignment

Use a small bubble level on the drill body or a flat mirror on the workpiece to get real-time visual feedback on whether the bit is perpendicular. The level shows plumb directly; the mirror shows a straight line when the bit and its reflection align perfectly.

Why It Works

A bubble level strapped to the drill reads tilt in one plane. Two levels mounted at 90 degrees cover both front-back and left-right. A mirror on the surface reflects the bit -- when the bit and its reflection form one continuous line with no bend at the surface, the drill is square.

Tips

• Tape or Velcro-strap a torpedo level to the drill top for a quick setup
• For the mirror method, check alignment from two perpendicular viewing angles before starting
• The mirror technique works on any surface orientation, while the level method is best for vertical drilling into horizontal surfaces
• Combine both methods for maximum accuracy