Pneumatic Drills - Great Lakes 4x4. The largest offroad forum in the Midwest

NSmist · August 13th, 2012, 09:46 PM

So I'm looking around at air drills online. Many brands, many prices. Been browsing through Tool Topia a lot.

What's everyone using? Looking at the 3/8" stuff. I know one of the JCR guys had good words for AirCat impacts. IR stuff works great for me.

Also, what about some of the cheaper / other stuff? ATD (Napa / Auto Value / Online), Mountain, Astro, Sunex? Anyone have any experience with them?

booblinker · August 13th, 2012, 10:01 PM

I've had OK luck with off brand hand tools. But any off brand air tool i have bought has been junk.

wilinsonlevi · August 13th, 2012, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by booblinker

i've had ok luck with off brand hand tools. But any off brand air tool i have bought has been junk.

x2

joe_jeep · August 14th, 2012, 12:14 AM

cheap air tools use a ton more air! better have a good compressor!
look for a used ir

RADRICK · August 14th, 2012, 05:50 AM

I usually buy quality air tools, mostly IR. When I was looking for an air drill I started compairing, and I could buy 3 Harbor Freight drills for the price of one IR. So I took a chance and bought the HF 1/2'' drill with the extended warr. That was 4 yrs ago and still working fine. I dont use it daily but I have used it alot, it will still twist you wrist up if it bites in good when drilling. I didnt have a 1/2'' drill for bigger stuff, for 3/8'' I already have a cordless and a electric drill. I sold some tools when I was in college the sunex stuff was ok, never had any complaints.

Nuggets · August 14th, 2012, 07:42 AM

I've not faired well with cheap tools over the years. I swear by IR products and I've also had really good luck with Florida Pneumatic. Of course I have a sprinkling of Matco and Snap On stuff too than that's been working out just fine. I'm addicted to the Snap On 1/4" two piece air ratchets. Expensive at $300 but definately a workhorse for a professional mechanic.

FORD FLARESIDE · August 14th, 2012, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NSmist

So I'm looking around at air drills online. Many brands, many prices. Been browsing through Tool Topia a lot.

What's everyone using? Looking at the 3/8" stuff. I know one of the JCR guys had good words for AirCat impacts. IR stuff works great for me.

Also, what about some of the cheaper / other stuff? ATD (Napa / Auto Value / Online), Mountain, Astro, Sunex? Anyone have any experience with them?

Mine is from Auto Value...........Payed about $200 for it 10 years ago.
It is gear reduction. The only problem I have with it is that the forward to reverse switch is hard to get a hold of when you have gloves on.

Other then that, hold on to it. With the gear reduction, and a big bit, if it catches, you are going for a ride.

BlooMule · August 14th, 2012, 08:28 AM

I've had some good luck with HF air tools, but it seems that if you get a bad one it's reallly really bad.

Been using the same HF 3/8 drill for about 2 years with no complaints. It gets used almost daily.

marshall · August 14th, 2012, 09:21 AM

Why air drill? Hate dragging an air hose around, worse than a cord!

Haggar · August 14th, 2012, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marshall

Why air drill? Hate dragging an air hose around, worse than a cord!

Interested myself, as a home user, if there's any benefit to one. I have the usual battery of drills already: right angle cordless, 1/2" cordless, 1/2" gear reduction cord drill (hammer drill), 3/8" cord drill.

I've been mixed bag on HF air tools, I won't buy them again for something nice like an impact that I use a lot. Last thing I got from them was an air body saw that didnt work at all once the blade actually touched the metal.

My HF 1/2" earthquake impact works OK, but it doesn't seem as strong as I would expect.

I really like the 3/8 aircat impact that I got last year. I'll go to them for a new 1/2" impact.

BlooMule · August 14th, 2012, 10:37 AM

I can get into a tighter space with an air drill that I can with electric or battery, only real advantage.

Big Daddy Rubicon · August 14th, 2012, 10:43 AM

I have a Snap On 1/2" that I bought about 30 years ago, why Snap On? Ask anyone that works in a shop and then you need a tool, you look over your shoulder and the Snap On guy is always standing there! But I have to say, to this day it still works as new and I have used it a lot! I have a IR 3/8" thats about 15 years old and that still is works good!

14muddn · August 14th, 2012, 11:01 AM

I have one of the compact aircat impacts. I love it, tons of power and very light. That being said I wish I would have bought an electric cordless gun. My pos single stage compressor is always running when I use air tools and is noisy as all get out.

wilesin · August 14th, 2012, 11:50 AM

If you go the snap-on route, make sure its a snap-on and not a blue point. The blue point I have is very well built and has always worked well for me, but this thing is gutless as hell.

FORD FLARESIDE · August 14th, 2012, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlooMule

I can get into a tighter space with an air drill that I can with electric or battery, only real advantage.

This,................and the gear reduction models will power through, as long as your weight handles the torque

They don't heat up either, when cutting into automotive frames, however they can get cold.

cj65 · August 14th, 2012, 01:52 PM

IMO snap on is the only tool to buy. Anything else does not hold as long and is usually gutless.

BlooMule · August 14th, 2012, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FORD FLARESIDE

This,................and the gear reduction models will power through, as long as your weight handles the torque

They don't heat up either, when cutting into automotive frames, however they can get cold.

I have a gear reduction 1/2" air drill that could break your arm. Probably.
Don't want to test the theory.

Haggar · August 14th, 2012, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlooMule

I have a gear reduction 1/2" air drill that could break your arm. Probably.
Don't want to test the theory.

I already own a milwaukee magnum (electric) that will do the same, especially in low range. Years ago when I worked on a deck crew, we had a few rookies get thrown on their butts or off ladders when that thing jammed the bit in the wood.

BlooMule · August 14th, 2012, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Haggar

I already own a milwaukee magnum (electric) that will do the same, especially in low range. Years ago when I worked on a deck crew, we had a few rookies get thrown on their butts or off ladders when that thing jammed the bit in the wood.

I have one of those too, older model before they started selling at Homo Depot. Burned up 3 Black&Deckers before I wised up and bought the Milwaukee. I think I got it in the mid 80's.

FORD FLARESIDE · August 14th, 2012, 02:29 PM

I think we are dating our ages...........

August 13th, 2012, 09:46 PM	#1
NSmist Pimpin hoes& Slingin Rock Join Date: 02-11-08 Location: Pontiac, MI Posts: 1,515 iTrader: (5)	Pneumatic Drills So I'm looking around at air drills online. Many brands, many prices. Been browsing through Tool Topia a lot. What's everyone using? Looking at the 3/8" stuff. I know one of the JCR guys had good words for AirCat impacts. IR stuff works great for me. Also, what about some of the cheaper / other stuff? ATD (Napa / Auto Value / Online), Mountain, Astro, Sunex? Anyone have any experience with them?

August 13th, 2012, 10:01 PM	#2
booblinker Trailer Trash Join Date: 10-29-06 Location: Leonard, mi Posts: 8,241 iTrader: (5)	I've had OK luck with off brand hand tools. But any off brand air tool i have bought has been junk. __________________ -1993 Ranger 3.0 4X4 5 Speed STX -A Metric Butt ton of three wheelers -1985 V65 Magna -1983 Nighthawk 650 -1969 F250 Highboy built 360

August 14th, 2012, 10:43 AM	#12
Big Daddy Rubicon There watching me! (.)(.) Join Date: 11-05-05 Location: Concord NC Posts: 11,450 iTrader: (6)	I have a Snap On 1/2" that I bought about 30 years ago, why Snap On? Ask anyone that works in a shop and then you need a tool, you look over your shoulder and the Snap On guy is always standing there! But I have to say, to this day it still works as new and I have used it a lot! I have a IR 3/8" thats about 15 years old and that still is works good! __________________ So I'm a asshole, so what!:finger: [QUOTE=a.j. hall;1528363] I will race BDR in my car......and lose. [/QUOTE]

August 14th, 2012, 12:14 AM	#4
joe_jeep welfare wheeler Join Date: 03-03-06 Location: hazel park, mi Posts: 4,829 iTrader: (35)	cheap air tools use a ton more air! better have a good compressor! look for a used ir

August 14th, 2012, 05:50 AM	#5
RADRICK Senior Member Join Date: 04-28-09 Location: Galien, Mi Posts: 403 iTrader: (6)	I usually buy quality air tools, mostly IR. When I was looking for an air drill I started compairing, and I could buy 3 Harbor Freight drills for the price of one IR. So I took a chance and bought the HF 1/2'' drill with the extended warr. That was 4 yrs ago and still working fine. I dont use it daily but I have used it alot, it will still twist you wrist up if it bites in good when drilling. I didnt have a 1/2'' drill for bigger stuff, for 3/8'' I already have a cordless and a electric drill. I sold some tools when I was in college the sunex stuff was ok, never had any complaints.

August 14th, 2012, 07:42 AM	#6
Nuggets Professional Pisser Offer Join Date: 09-15-06 Location: Bay City, MI Posts: 12,866 iTrader: (12)	I've not faired well with cheap tools over the years. I swear by IR products and I've also had really good luck with Florida Pneumatic. Of course I have a sprinkling of Matco and Snap On stuff too than that's been working out just fine. I'm addicted to the Snap On 1/4" two piece air ratchets. Expensive at $300 but definately a workhorse for a professional mechanic.

August 14th, 2012, 09:21 AM	#9
marshall locally famous Join Date: 02-12-11 Location: mayville MI Posts: 1,851 iTrader: (4)	Why air drill? Hate dragging an air hose around, worse than a cord!

August 14th, 2012, 11:01 AM	#13
14muddn Senior Member Join Date: 02-10-08 Location: Wixom/MI Posts: 1,341 iTrader: (4)	I have one of the compact aircat impacts. I love it, tons of power and very light. That being said I wish I would have bought an electric cordless gun. My pos single stage compressor is always running when I use air tools and is noisy as all get out.

August 14th, 2012, 11:50 AM	#14
wilesin Senior Member Join Date: 04-16-09 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,116 iTrader: (0)	If you go the snap-on route, make sure its a snap-on and not a blue point. The blue point I have is very well built and has always worked well for me, but this thing is gutless as hell.

August 14th, 2012, 01:52 PM	#16
cj65 Senior Member Join Date: 04-07-07 Location: 48174 Posts: 2,810 iTrader: (13)	IMO snap on is the only tool to buy. Anything else does not hold as long and is usually gutless.

August 14th, 2012, 02:29 PM	#20
FORD FLARESIDE FULLSIZE4LIFE Join Date: 04-09-06 Location: Comstock Park Posts: 18,419 iTrader: (20)	I think we are dating our ages...........