Drill reviews

[94touring]

Been awhile that we've had a tool review.  My electric Dewalt 3/8 drill finally died on me.  Decided to try a couple HF specials out. Not really big into battery powered for the shop. I went with a 1/2 inch electric for heavy duty work and a 3/8 pneumatic for lighter duty. I've never used a pneumatic drill before.  I can tell I'm going to put it to a lot of use after drilling holes with it today!  Not crazy loud, very small and lightweight. It has two speeds if you're easy with the trigger, slow and really fast.  I think the one buffing pad I use with a drill will be fantastic with it on fast.  I need to maybe attach the chuck to it because I can tell I'll lose it quick. 

[MiniDave]

I like my air powered drills too - they never get hot!

Corded drills never run out of power in the middle of use either! 

[jeff10049]

I have a Souix 3/8 air drill motor. That thing is awesome for smaller-diameter holes. Its got some serious high speed. Also have a 1/2" air that's a torque monster it'll break your wrist if you're not careful 4" hole saw in steel no problem.
I'm becoming less of a battery-powered guy. When I had the RV business, it was very handy, almost a necessity, but the batteries are so expensive and don't last, regardless of brand.
I'll keep the Milwaukee stuff I have, but I'm not investing in much more battery stuff in the shop I've always got a cord or air hose near  anyway.
Speaking of air tools, a couple of recent buys within a couple of years. I got a mini DA and a mini buffer game changer on sand and buffing paint. Mini DA handy on prep as well I think it uses 1.5" sand paper. Mini buffer is about a 3" pad.

[94touring]

I've got a small air cut off tool and another I put grinding/sanding attachments on that's great for cleaning up welds.  I almost went with the 1/2 air drill but figured I'd better have something electric to drill with.  I need to play with this 3/8 drill a bit more but may buy a small cheaper, maybe ryobi, electric drill for screwing things more easily. I can see where this air drill will strip out screw heads in a flash.

[MiniDave]

Yeah, unless you turn the air down on it those air drills seem to be all or nothing.....

I like my air tools too, but I'm happy to have a couple smallish battery powered drill and impact. But when it comes to taking things apart the big Impact does the trick!

I agree about the batteries.....expensive and if you tend to keep your tools a long time eventually it becomes pretty hard to even find replacement batteries.

Some of my air tools I've had for over 30 years and they still work as new.