STI-UNC V-TapGuide

I really wish there was a way to get Amazon to remove reviews that are flat out wrong. This is a tap guide, so giving a one-star review because your drill wobbles is ridiculous and unfair to the manufacturer. These are very well made tools. I have heard stories of people having issues with the metal chipping, but I've never seen anything like it, in this or their drill guides. If you don't own an expensive tap guide or need to tap somewhere the throat on your guide won't reach, this is an indispensable tool. Yes, it's a bit on the pricey side but, at least to me, quality is worth paying for.

With this tool set flat on a wall, a drill bit 1 size smaller than one of the guide holes in tool, and bit in the drill...your drill hole will be perfectly straight into the wall. This tool can be sat on a corner to guide perfect holes when making cabinets, etc...

I should have bought this a long time ago! So simple and works perfectly. It is a great little tool-very well made, heavy, and markings are easy to read. I’m ordering the drill bit guide next

Overall, for the purpose, the Big Gator drill guide is the best that I have found. It accurately guides the drill and holds it perpendicular to the drilling surface, as it was designed to do. However, this unit is very short and, although it is heavy, it is nowhere near heavy enough to work without significant pressure bearing down on top of the little guide itself. That put me in a position of having a hand or food or someone else's hand or foot far closer to the rotating drill bit than felt safe. A longer guide, one with an extra five to seven inches would solve that issue, except, it might be too long for some applications. When selecting a guide, all of the Big Gator guides are as described, with the specified measurements for the drill holes on the units containing various drill hole sizes, but not all are the same length. When selecting, you may want to ask yourself what you will most likely use this for and purchase accordingly. We used it for furniture and, so, clamping it down was not possible and a person had to hold it while we used the largest bit possible. It was, in a word, unpleasant. Good luck finding the right tool to help you with your project and I hope it goes well.

Fantastic tool to keep taps aligned! No more crooked or wandering tap holes.

Good quality durable

This is a HUGE MUST if you are an amateur engine builder. Those of us who had to deal with it know that cylinder head bolt holes on the block can disintegrate and they need to be re-tapped for a heli-coil or equivalent insert. Straight tapping is essential and this tool is a HUGE help. However, you need to be creative as to how to brace.

Holes are too big to guide a tap straight. Smallest hole supposed to be for #6. On the picture I have a #6-32 tap in and it is crooked. #10-24 tap fits properly into #6 hole.

Bought this in error, not realizing what STI meant, but discovered it's a decent fit for some straight pipe taps, which get a fair bit of use in custom lighting, so... no regrets. Otherwise, excellent tool.