Is chuck wobble affecting the precision of your Milescraft DrillMate Portable Multi-Angle Drill Guide? One user shares their experience with this common issue and how Milescraft customer service responded, offering valuable insights for anyone encountering similar problems.
The user initially purchased the Milescraft DrillMate (model 13180003, SKU 1001675484) for projects not requiring high precision, such as using spade bits. However, when starting a project demanding accuracy—drilling dog holes for a workbench—a noticeable chuck wobble became apparent. Estimating the runout to be between 1/32″ and 1/16″, the user confirmed the wobble by manually turning the chuck assembly and observing the deviation. This was contrasted with their high-end drill bits, which ran perfectly true in a drill press, highlighting that the issue was likely with the drill guide itself. A quick online search revealed that other customers had also reported similar chuck wobble problems with the Milescraft DrillMate, potentially leading to discontinuation considerations by retailers like Home Depot Canada.
Milescraft’s Customer Service Steps Up
Despite the initial frustration, the user contacted Milescraft and received a positive response. Milescraft acknowledged improvements made to the drill guide head since the user’s purchase eight months prior. Demonstrating commendable customer service, Milescraft agreed to send a replacement guide head assembly. They clarified that while the DrillMate is not intended to match the precision of a drill press, excessive chuck wobble is not expected. According to Milescraft, “the chuck shouldn’t wobble,” although minor play in the bushings is within acceptable tolerances.
Practical Tip for Enhanced Stability
Beyond the wobble issue, the user also shared a helpful tip for improving the DrillMate’s stability during use. The DrillMate comes with small red rubber feet that can be popped out. This allows users to screw a piece of plywood (the user used 5/8″ T&G OSB) to the base, effectively extending the footprint of the tool. This modification enables secure clamping of the DrillMate to a workbench or workpiece. The user successfully employed this technique to drill 15° mortises for a low Roman workbench using a 1 1/4″ spade bit. By setting the drill to high speed and applying slow, gentle pressure, they achieved clean holes with minimal tear-out—a result exceeding initial expectations. Furthermore, this setup facilitates creating a guide/fence for repeatable hole drilling, such as dog holes, by clamping a piece of scrap wood to the plywood base.
Update on the Replacement Head and Bushing Play
An update followed after the user installed the replacement head assembly. While the new chuck exhibited improved trueness in rotation, the user noticed a different issue: the nylon bushings in the new head had more noticeable slop. This prompted the user to consider swapping the bushings to potentially achieve a more acceptable level of precision, questioning whether the issue stemmed from the bushings or the new housing itself. Despite this new observation, the user maintained a balanced perspective, concluding that the Milescraft DrillMate remains a decent tool, especially when its limitations compared to a drill press are understood. The positive customer service experience further reinforced a favorable overall impression of Milescraft as a company.
In Conclusion
This user’s experience provides valuable real-world insights into the Milescraft DrillMate, specifically addressing the reported chuck wobble issue. It highlights the importance of understanding the tool’s intended use and limitations, while also showcasing Milescraft’s responsive customer service. For DIYers and woodworkers seeking a portable drill guide, the Milescraft DrillMate can be a useful tool, particularly when combined with user modifications and realistic expectations regarding precision.
