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Need help?Do you have a question about the Woodpeckers AUTO-LINE DRILL GUIDE and is the answer not in the manual?
Insert drill bit up to 3/4" into the 1/2" Chuck and tighten using the Chuck Key.
Draw witness marks on your board that intersect at the desired drilling location.
Line up the witness marks with the White Index Marks on the Base.
Loosen the knob on the Depth Control Stop Collar, set height, and secure.
Affix drill to Standard Hex Shank Fitting and drill the hole.
Remove Lock Knobs, rotate Chuck Carrier 180°, and re-install Lock Knobs.
Remove Lock Knobs and Chuck Carrier, remove Spring from Rod, then re-install.
Guide Rods and Fence can be used on all four sides of the Base.
Loosen Lock Knobs to expose Allen Wrench Tips for repositioning Guide Rods.
Remove Lock Knob, use Allen Wrench Tip to remove Centering Pins from top side.
Install Centering Pins on the bottom side of the Base and tighten.
Place Drill Guide on workpiece, rotate counter-clockwise until Pins contact.
Drill the hole. Maximum width capacity is 3-1/8".
Extension Rods screw directly into the Guide Rods to add capacity.
Loosen Lock Knob to expose Allen Wrench Tips for tightening Extension Rods.
Remove Lock Knob, use Allen Wrench Tip to remove Centering Pin from top side.
Install Centering Pin, then thread an Extension Rod into it.
Slide Flip Stop onto Extension Rod and tighten using the Brass Knob.
The Woodpeckers Auto-Line Drill Guide is a versatile tool designed to assist in precise drilling operations, ensuring accuracy and consistency in woodworking and other applications. It functions as a portable drill press, allowing users to drill straight, perpendicular holes with ease, even in situations where a traditional drill press might be impractical. The core function of the device is to guide a handheld drill, preventing it from wandering or drilling at an angle, thereby producing clean and accurate holes.
One of the primary usage features of the Auto-Line Drill Guide is its ability to accommodate various drill bit sizes, typically up to 3/4" in diameter, by securely holding them within its 1/2" chuck. The chuck is tightened using a provided chuck key, ensuring a firm grip on the drill bit during operation. To initiate drilling, users first mark their desired drilling location on the workpiece. The base of the drill guide features white index marks that align with these witness marks, ensuring precise positioning of the drill bit over the intended spot. This alignment mechanism is crucial for achieving accurate hole placement.
For applications requiring specific hole depths, the Auto-Line Drill Guide incorporates a depth control stop collar. This collar can be adjusted to a desired height and then secured, preventing the drill bit from penetrating beyond the set depth. This feature is particularly useful for creating blind holes or ensuring consistent depth across multiple holes. Once the depth is set, a handheld drill is affixed to the standard hex shank fitting on the drill guide, and the user can then push down to drill the hole.
The device offers flexibility for drilling larger holes, specifically those between 3/4" and 2" in diameter. To achieve this, the chuck carrier, which holds the chuck, can be rotated 180 degrees. This repositioning moves the chuck outside the base, providing the necessary clearance for larger drill bits. This adaptability means that the Auto-Line Drill Guide is not limited to smaller-diameter holes but can handle a broader range of drilling tasks.
Another significant usage feature is the ability to increase the travel of the drill bit. This is achieved by removing the lock knobs and the chuck carrier from the Auto-Line, then detaching the spring from the rod. Reinstalling the chuck carrier and lock knobs afterward allows for greater vertical movement of the drill bit, which can be beneficial for drilling deeper holes or working with thicker materials.
The fence and guide rod positions offer further versatility. The guide rods and fence can be utilized on all four sides of the base, providing multiple configurations to suit different drilling scenarios. To adjust or secure the guide rods, the lock knobs are removed, exposing Allen wrench tips machined into their bottoms. These tips fit into the end of the guide rod, allowing for easy tightening or loosening. This adjustability means that holes can be drilled up to 7" away from the edge of the stock, expanding the range of projects that can be tackled with the tool. The fence itself can also be used in four different positions, offering additional support and alignment options for various workpieces.
For drilling round stock, the Auto-Line Drill Guide features a vee-groove milled into its base. Placing round stock in this groove prevents it from rolling during drilling, ensuring stability and accuracy. This is a practical feature for projects involving dowels, pipes, or other cylindrical materials.
Centering holes on a board is another specialized function of the Auto-Line Drill Guide. This involves removing one of the lock knobs from the chuck carrier and using the Allen wrench tip to remove the centering pins from the top side of the base. The centering pins are then installed on the bottom side of the base and tightened with the Allen wrench tip. After reinstalling the lock knob, the drill guide is placed on the workpiece and rotated counter-clockwise until both centering pins make contact with the workpiece. This method allows for precise centering of holes on boards up to 3-1/8" wide.
The device also offers extension rods, which can add either 12" or 24" to the basic fence capacity of 7". These extension rods screw directly into the guide rods of the Auto-Line. To tighten them, the lock knob is removed to expose the Allen wrench tips, which fit into the end of the guide rod. This feature significantly increases the working area and allows for drilling further from the edge of larger workpieces.
Flip stops are an optional accessory that enhances repeatability and precision. To use a flip stop, one of the lock knobs is removed from the chuck carrier, and the Allen wrench tip is used to remove a centering pin from the top side of the base. The centering pin is then installed on the preferred side of the base and tightened. An extension rod is threaded into the centering pin, and the flip stop is slid onto the extension rod. The flip stop can then be loosened and tightened using its brass knob, providing a repeatable stop for consistent hole placement across multiple pieces.
Maintenance features primarily involve the use of the provided wrench. This wrench is specifically designed to loosen the extension rods for disassembly, fitting into a cut-out section of the extension rod. This facilitates easy breakdown and storage of the device or when reconfiguring it for different tasks. The overall design emphasizes user-friendliness and adaptability, allowing for various configurations and adjustments to suit a wide range of drilling needs. The tool is not recommended for use with impact drivers, highlighting the importance of using appropriate power tools to ensure the longevity and proper function of the drill guide. Regular cleaning and proper storage would also contribute to the device's durability and continued performance.
General| Type | Drill Guide |
|---|---|
| Material | Aluminum |
| Weight | 1.5 lbs |
| Compatibility | Drills |
| Drill Capacity | Up to 1/2 inch |
| Features | Self-centering |
