3/8" reversible air drill.

[shteii01]

I was looking through threads using the search function and did not see anything that I found of use.

I started a new job. I am electrical assembly technician. At my old job I had a shop air drill. Now I am looking at owning my own.

I would guess that I would use it about 4 hours a week total. What I mean by this, I will be drilling the electrical panels, so a bunch of screw holes, 10-32 screws, but once wireways and din rails are installed, the drill will just sit there waiting for my boss to tell me to start working on the next panel for next machine/job. So I might spend a few hours a week doing panels for several machines and then not use the drill for a week or two while we assemble the machines, or I just do one panel for one machine, then do another panel the next week. I don't expect using it day after day, week after week.

I am looking for two types of air drill:

1. Regular 3/8" reversible air drill like:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006ZB8YNS/?tag=atomicindus08-20

At my last job we used keyed chuck version. I notice there is also keyless chuck. The prices are about the same. Is there significant preference for one version over another?

2. Right angle air drill, I think the one I borrowed from time to time (really tight spots) from my last boss was this model, the red "neck" is kinda distinctive:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001U3Z7MW/?tag=atomicindus08-20

So. Any recommendations of which model of each type to buy from Amazon? Should I get the cheapest ($20-30) (interestingly they have most reviews)? Or buy next cheapest, meaning that the cheapest is the **** and anything above it is better ($30-40)? Can anyone recommend specific model they found they really like that is currently available?

P.S. Lubricating oil for the drill. Is there some generic kind at bargain prices that I can stock up on or do I need to follow the whatever drill manual will tell me?

Thanks in advance.

 

[gdocktor3]

I just mentioned this in another thread. I use Lucas Air Tool Lubricant in all my air tools and it works great. Add a few drops before using and you're good to go. I also add a few when I finish. Keyed vs keyless depends on the type of work you do. If you are going to be changing bits back and forth all day long, you'd probably want a keyless. That's really all it does. It saves time. Keyless chucks may come loose from time to time, but now a days they're pretty good and it rarely happens to me unless drilling in reverse or something. I have a Mac 3/8" air drill I purchased when they were on closeout that works really well. I also have a Mac 1/4" air driver I purchased on closeout that works really well. The only other air drill I have used was an old, non reversible Chicago Pneumatic, so I can't say how the Central Pneumatic drills are, but I wouldn't count on them lasting years like a good brand will.

Some things to look for are a drill with variable trigger. This way you can control the speed of the drill bits and when screwing stuff down. You don't want a drill that is either off or wide open at 20,000 rpms. If you think you will run into tight locations and need to borrow a drill, then maybe you should just consider buying a good right angle drill. While I've never had the need for one, I don't do small assembly or anything like that. I might also recommend looking into a cheap cordless unit. It will make things a lot easier. You aren't tied to an air hose, you can control the speeds, you can get hammer drill option, and they have led lights. You can get yourself a 12v Bosch drill set for a bit more than a $100 with drill, driver, charger and two batteries. Or go with a bigger 18v drill for about the same. Lots of good deals on eBay, Amazon Warehouse and Craigslist. A few years ago I pieced together an entire Ridgid 18v set with drills, drivers, sawzalls, etc all of Craigslist from different people. They still work and I use them from time to time, but I've since upgraded to 20v Dewalt. Just food for thought.

 

[zkling]

You do realize that first one is a Harbor Freight drill?

Unless you have to have an air drill, I'd go electric or battery.

Kobalt air tool oil is easy to find and USA made to boot.

 

[shteii01]

You do realize that first one is a Harbor Freight drill?

Unless you have to have an air drill, I'd go electric or battery.

Kobalt air tool oil is easy to find and USA made to boot.

The two I linked are examples of what I am looking for.