Depth Stop
Affiliate link — we may earn a commissionA depth stop limits how far a drill bit, router bit, or saw blade can travel into the material. On a drill, it's a collar that clamps onto the bit at a set distance from the tip. When the collar contacts the surface, the bit can't go deeper. On a circular saw, the depth adjustment raises or lowers the baseplate relative to the blade. On a router, a depth stop rod with a turret sets the maximum plunge depth. Setting the right depth prevents drilling through the back of a workpiece, cutting too deep into a wall, or routing through the bottom of a board.
Why It Matters
Drilling through the back of a cabinet side, cutting through a subfloor into a joist, or routing through a tabletop are all mistakes that a depth stop prevents. It takes 10 seconds to set one. The alternative is measuring and hoping you stop in time.