Milescraft 1318 DrillMate: Keep Hand-Drilled Holes Square or at a Set Angle

A large cabinet side, a long board, or an installed workpiece can be impossible to place under a bench drill press. Freehand drilling solves the access problem but creates another one: the bit can lean as soon as pressure is applied. The Milescraft 1318 DrillMate puts the bit in a guided head that travels on two bars, so the drill comes to the work while the base supplies a repeatable reference. It is best understood as a portable drill guide—not a promise that every handheld setup becomes a machine-shop drill press.

A guided spindle gives a hand drill a repeatable path

Control over the feed direction is the practical reason to add the guide. The DrillMate's metal head supports its spindle with ball bearings, and the included 3/8-inch keyed chuck holds the cutting accessory. Your power drill grips the spindle shaft from above; Milescraft lists compatibility with power drills that have 3/8- or 1/2-inch chucks.

This layout separates the drill you already own from the chuck that carries the bit. It can be useful when several holes need to follow the same approach instead of being aimed individually by eye. The guide does not remove runout from a damaged bit, correct a poorly tightened chuck, or hold the workpiece for you. Milescraft also says it is not intended for impact drivers or hammer drills.

Four marked angles cover common straight and sloped holes

Angle indicators on both guide bars align with marks on the base for 45, 60, 75, and 90 degrees. That gives a clear reference for a square hole or a repeatable slope without building a separate angled block. For a 90-degree hole, the manual says to align both indicators with the 90-degree mark, tighten the guide bars, and keep the base firmly flush to the work.

Those marks are helpful for common layouts, but they are not an infinitely variable digital angle system. Both sides must be set to the same mark and tightened. If the base rocks, the guided head can still follow the wrong reference plane. Buyers who need inspection-grade angular accuracy or an unusual angle should use a more rigid, calibrated setup.

The stop collar turns one chosen depth into a repeatable limit

Depth repeatability is the other strong reason to consider it. With the bit secured, lower the guide head until the bit reaches the desired depth, slide the stop collar against the head, and tighten its knob. The support spring belongs on the other guide bar. Once set, the collar limits the head's travel for the next hole.

That is useful for dowel holes, counterbores, or repeated pilot holes where breaking through the back would spoil the part. It is still a mechanical stop set by the user, so the first setup deserves a test cut in scrap. Bit length also matters: Milescraft specifies 6.30 inches of maximum head travel with the spring and depth stop installed, with a 1.20-inch minimum bit length.

The base handles panels, edges, and round stock—with restraint

The metal base measures 5.5 by 4.25 inches and has a 3.5-inch opening. Its self-centering geometry can register across a board edge, while a V-groove supports round stock. Non-slip feet help on a flat surface, and mounting holes let the base be screwed down when appropriate.

Round work needs more care. Milescraft directs users to remove the rubber feet, screw or clamp the base to a bench, place the stock in the V-grooves, and clamp the stock firmly; mounting hardware is not included. The manual also calls for eye protection, a firm grip, and disconnecting power before adjustment. Do not use the DrillMate as a router or run it in reverse with a cutting tool installed.

Choose the 1318 when portability, four common angle references, and a repeatable depth stop solve a real access problem. A stationary drill press remains the better choice for high-volume work or maximum rigidity. For a large panel or fixed assembly that cannot travel to the machine, however, the DrillMate brings a more consistent drilling path to the job.