Use a Portable Drill Guide Attachment

A portable drill guide is a lightweight accessory that physically constrains the bit to enter the workpiece at 90 degrees, eliminating freehand angular error. Base-mounted models sit on the workpiece with a vertical bushing; drill-mounted models attach to the tool body and extend to the surface.

Why It Works

The guide provides a rigid channel or bushing that prevents lateral tilt. Once the bit is established about 1/4" into the material, the hole itself maintains alignment, so the guide does the hardest work during initial entry when wandering is most likely.

Tips

• Expect to spend $10-40; popular options include the Milescraft 1318 DrillMate and Big Gator Tools V-DrillGuide
• Always center-punch first so the bit engages the guide cleanly
• Match bit diameter closely to the bushing size to minimize lateral play
• Especially valuable when drilling many identical holes in sequence