I'm looking at buying a drill to use at work as an auto mechanic. I wouldn't use it very often, most likely to drill out broken bolts or minor fabrication. Should I go for milwaukee m12 fuel 1/2 drill? I already have a M12 3/8 impact that I could use the batteries for. On the other hand, since I wouldn't use it very often, and only in a shop setting, Should I spring for an air drill? I was thinking of the IR 7803RA model. I figure this would last pretty much forever, the batteries wouldn't wear out, and be more durable being shuffled around in my toolbox. However, I've never used an air drill, only cordless, and am not sure if i'd be happy with it. any opinions?
air vs cordless drill?
- Thread starter IsaacJ
- Start date
shockwave
Well-known member
Go for the Milwaukee 1/2 m12 drill it will be best all around for shop use and being a 1/2 chuck it will use larger bits when needed
The air drills mostly go up to 3/8 or larger up to 1/2 but speed is limited in the larger air drills
The air drills mostly go up to 3/8 or larger up to 1/2 but speed is limited in the larger air drills
IssacJ;
air drill all the way.........they are bullet proof
and take up WAY less space in your tool box and fit into smaller spaces on cars
it's kind of like an air nailer vs a Paslode witha gas cartridge.......
yes, my Sencos have a hose........but as long as I have nails/staples (and give them the occasional drop of oil) they'll be working
ever see an electric rivet gun?
:
air drill all the way.........they are bullet proof
and take up WAY less space in your tool box and fit into smaller spaces on cars
it's kind of like an air nailer vs a Paslode witha gas cartridge.......
yes, my Sencos have a hose........but as long as I have nails/staples (and give them the occasional drop of oil) they'll be working
ever see an electric rivet gun?
:IssacJ;
air drill all the way.........they are bullet proof
and take up WAY less space in your tool box and fit into smaller spaces on cars
it's kind of like an air nailer vs a Paslode witha gas cartridge.......
yes, my Sencos have a hose........but as long as I have nails/staples (and give them the occasional drop of oil) they'll be working
ever see an electric rivet gun?
Google images has about a bazillion...
https://www.google.com/search?q=ele...ChMIvYHvoZ-zxgIVSwisCh0rcABu&biw=1024&bih=670
My point is he is asking for an opinion on air or electric drill, not hammer. apples and oranges.
Electric rivet hammers are not common because they take so much energy for long periods, the battery would need to be an 8D...
OP, I would go air for an occasional use drill, electric for a more often used drill. I have both and use the electric most.
Electric rivet hammers are not common because they take so much energy for long periods, the battery would need to be an 8D...
OP, I would go air for an occasional use drill, electric for a more often used drill. I have both and use the electric most.
nexum1919
Well-known member
Occasional use in a shop environment, with virtually unlimited air, I'd say a quiet aircat drill will do. pistol grip and quiet means you'd be using it more frequently, especially with wire wheel attachments. much easier and faster than the die grinders for wire wheeling
http://aircat.com/products/drills/3-8-composite-reversible-drill/
for home garage, with limited air supply and for projects around the house, obviously battery drill.
http://aircat.com/products/drills/3-8-composite-reversible-drill/
for home garage, with limited air supply and for projects around the house, obviously battery drill.
dodge610
Well-known member
I will second the air drill all the way my craftsman has saved my rear a 199 times over when the cordless would not do it. The air drill would ye olde air drill even out performs my corded drill. And in case your wondering all three are craftsman that is all dad ever used so it sorts rubbed off on me.
Murphy4570
Well-known member
Right angle air drill would do you best. Use a swivel air fitting on the end. You need to fit it in tight spots to drill out broken exhaust manifold and collector studs.
Mohawk Dave
Well-known member
I haven't used my air drill since I got M12/M18 stuff.
The M12 is great not only for drilling, but running small hones, rotary wire wheels, and a million other things.
I'd say air if you have a production job drilling all day, because they are bullet proof and run cool.
The M12 is great not only for drilling, but running small hones, rotary wire wheels, and a million other things.
I'd say air if you have a production job drilling all day, because they are bullet proof and run cool.
and this^. I should have been more clear in my post. If you plan on using it only a couple times a year, or 8hrs a day for a years, air. anything in between electric.
SIKPUP
Active member
I agree too!!!! In a tight spot there is probably no way to get a cordless drill in there. Also, if drilling in real steel, you want slow speed. An air drill stops when you let off of the trigger but a geared electric will still keep turning. That is no fun when the bit catches.
sberry
Banned
Battery. I have an air drill too,,, somewhere. I am not sure how a guy could make it without battery, he has impact but not a drill? Just for screw removal etc the use is endless. They are perfect for drilling steel.
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maxpower_hd
Well-known member
I have all three, electric, cordless and air. I use my cordless drill the most. I have multiple batteries so that isn't an issue. For me it is more portable, especially if you need to climb a latter with it. Air hoses are a pain in the **** up high (Trailer Service). But the air ones are better for fab work on the bench if there is a lot of drilling to be done. Also in tight spaces but for me the cordless is the most useful so that would be my suggestion as a first purchase with an expectation to buy an air one and probably a corded electric one too in the future. They all have their pros and cons.
LordPsychon
Well-known member
Air drill advantages - space (small), durability (nigh on indestructible), repetition (can drill for hours before overheating - generally speaking)
Air drill deficits - dedicated compressor needed, slow RPM on larger chucked sizes
Cordless drill advantages - portability (no compressor or cord, easy swap out of batteries)
Cordless drill deficits - wide variation in features (compare Ryobi 12v to Milwaukee 12v), can overheat with repeated use
Corded drill advantages - consistency (constant draw on corded power), torque (generally higher torque on corded models)
Corded drill deficits - lack of portability, often keyed chucks
While these are generalities, I feel this is useful information to pass on and compare.
Air drill deficits - dedicated compressor needed, slow RPM on larger chucked sizes
Cordless drill advantages - portability (no compressor or cord, easy swap out of batteries)
Cordless drill deficits - wide variation in features (compare Ryobi 12v to Milwaukee 12v), can overheat with repeated use
Corded drill advantages - consistency (constant draw on corded power), torque (generally higher torque on corded models)
Corded drill deficits - lack of portability, often keyed chucks
While these are generalities, I feel this is useful information to pass on and compare.
dodge610
Well-known member
I Might add I will apologize to anyone that thought I was doing a craftsman commercial. Just that is what I was raised on back in the day. I have since changed to husky and craftsman usa when I can find it.
sberry
Banned
A simple inexpensive air drill can be handy in some environments but you will get real use from a cordless and an air would quick become a dust collector. Its not that they are not good but you are not production working in a plant or specialty machine shop etc where this thing is common and the cost would be irrelevant.
bcradio
Well-known member
Cordless all the way. I'm surprised this is even a question this day in age. The absolute only time i would suggest an air drill is for all day production work.
Plus you only need the bare tool.
I find it funny how all these people on here suggest air drills and cordless impacts.
Plus you only need the bare tool.
I find it funny how all these people on here suggest air drills and cordless impacts.
woody 73
Well-known member
you name it in drills and I have it from cordless, corded, air and hand drills. Like they said above each has their own good and bad points.
For my two cents today you can pick up both cordless and air on the cheap from cl; why not buy both and keep in your tool box.
Examples of all three:
http://columbus.craigslist.org/tls/5034624330.html
http://dayton.craigslist.org/tld/5065603795.html
http://columbus.craigslist.org/tld/5081965886.html
For my two cents today you can pick up both cordless and air on the cheap from cl; why not buy both and keep in your tool box.
Examples of all three:
http://columbus.craigslist.org/tls/5034624330.html
http://dayton.craigslist.org/tld/5065603795.html
http://columbus.craigslist.org/tld/5081965886.html
LordPsychon
Well-known member
Hand drills like braces or Yankee drivers?
Other than an especially small form factor (which not all of them have) and ability to use it continuously with little heat build up, i dont much use for air drills. It's one of those tools i've never ended up with in 15 years of tool accumulation because i just didn't see the point. Admittedly i've never had to drill any more than just occasionally.
I have all of them but use air drills rarely nowadays. I would use them far more if I were in an auto shop environment with plenty of air always available. I would say, get a 3/8 reversible air drill at the flea market, in addition to the cordless.
sberry
Banned
Yes, there are cheap versions a guy could get as a real problem solver and wouldn't eat much when you didn't need it. I havnt used mine in over a decade, it can just as well be one I paid 30 for as 300.
I use it all but a drill, trouble light and a sawzall are really staples. You really wouldn't need heavy installer level tools.
I am going to look down a line for a couple cheaper lighter drills to run a few screws with.
I use it all but a drill, trouble light and a sawzall are really staples. You really wouldn't need heavy installer level tools.
I am going to look down a line for a couple cheaper lighter drills to run a few screws with.
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Mohawk Dave
Well-known member
Like I said before, I almost use my M12 or M18 exclusively.
But ive picked up an industrial IR and the big newer Snap on for pennies at yard sales or swap meet.
I'd say spend money on a new/like new cordless, and then buy air and corded on the used market when you run across them.
But ive picked up an industrial IR and the big newer Snap on for pennies at yard sales or swap meet.
I'd say spend money on a new/like new cordless, and then buy air and corded on the used market when you run across them.
Beemer533
Well-known member
I'm not sure if you are referring to a corded drill, but I have not seen a modern cordless drill from any of the big names that does not stop as soon as you let off the trigger.
I do have an older (6 or 7 YO) milwaukee corded 1/2" drill that doesn't stop right away, but I don't think there are any cordless drills that do that anymore.
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
My personal belief is that you should own 2 drills, 3/8" and 1/2" capacity. M12 Fuel for the 3/8" would be great and you would likely use it the most.
1/2" drills should be corded and have triple gear reductions. This make a HUGE difference in the amount of torque delivered. Both DeWalt and Milwaukee kave triple gear reduction drills.
1/2" drills should be corded and have triple gear reductions. This make a HUGE difference in the amount of torque delivered. Both DeWalt and Milwaukee kave triple gear reduction drills.
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u118224
Well-known member
Somebody already mentioned it, but the right angle reversible air drill is very handy. I don't know of any corded or cordless drill that compares. You don't need it very often, but it's nice to have.
sberry
Banned
Not for me. The modern cordless drill is a boon to safety, those other things are responsible for a lot of injury and the modern cordless will do near everything they will do with the right bit relatively safely in comparison.
There is no point in having torque beyond what a guy can hold on to safely.
I used a corded once in 10 yrs last year on railroad tie sized lumber with a bunch of old timers at engine show. Just remodel a house top to bottom and didn't plug a corded drill in once.
The modern or not so now heavy cordless has all the power or could for most work but the issue as we go isn't power its becoming weight and numbers. We are going to get some lighter. So much of our work is relatively small and out of position that its getting old.
Just plain don't need the power to run a few screws.
Same for the OP,,, needs it to work on cars and I would be lost without a battery drill driver. It doesn't need to be uber HVAC installer level, in fact a knockoff 18 would work. One with a flashlight stuck to it.
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sberry
Banned
Its one reason the common screwdriver doesn't mean as much, in my case a huge amount of standardization and use 3 bits. But this sounds rather rudimentary so I cant imagine being without the dozens of uses I would find for a compact battery drill on an auto. My world would stop.
retfr8flyr
Well-known member
I have both and I haven't picked up my air drill since I got my M12 Fuel drill. Hell I hardly even turn on my compressor anymore. I have several Milwaukee cordless tools, in both M12 and M18 and they are all I use now.
ranger302
Well-known member
IMHO, you really need both. They both have there strong points. If i could only chose one I would go with the cordless. That said I have 4 air, one battery, and 4 corded.
R.Anderson
Well-known member
Another way to look at it is with an air drill you only would need to buy it once for the amount of use your talking about. With a cordless how long is that going to last till you need to buy another one due to wear, damage, and how long are they going to produce battery packs for it.
Personally I use my cordless drill and driver way more than air or corded. Like other people have stated air, corded, and cordless all have there place.
Personally I use my cordless drill and driver way more than air or corded. Like other people have stated air, corded, and cordless all have there place.
I've posted in this thread a few times yet it never shows up 
:
Anyways. See if you can borrow an air drill to try out for a few hours. They are handy in certain applications, but not for all. One thing to keep in mind, like all air motor tools, they will produce a very fine oil spray out the exhaust. So if you plan on using it in an interior, use caution. I'd go cordless or corded then air personally. Downside to cordless is battery life. Where as with corded or air, if taken care of will last decades.
:Anyways. See if you can borrow an air drill to try out for a few hours. They are handy in certain applications, but not for all. One thing to keep in mind, like all air motor tools, they will produce a very fine oil spray out the exhaust. So if you plan on using it in an interior, use caution. I'd go cordless or corded then air personally. Downside to cordless is battery life. Where as with corded or air, if taken care of will last decades.
Beemer533
Well-known member
I think it depends on what you are doing really. If you are drilling 2 in holes all day in gluelams or whatever, than corded would probably be better. Although I prefer my right angle hole hawg for that..
The only time i generally use my Milwaukee 1/2" is to mix mortar, grout or whatever.
My HD Dewalt with 4 and 5ah batteries does everything I need generally with enough torque to hurt me..
This post edited by the NSA
The DIY Hubby
Active member
- Joined
- May 31, 2015
- Messages
- 30
A question without a simple answer. All depends what setup you have. I have both but use the <a href="http://www.thediyhubby.com/cordless-drill-reviews/">cordless drill</a> the most. If you have an air compressor running most of the time in the shop, then maybe the air drill. Cordless drills are less hassle but the battery dies quickly if you dont use it regularly.
ttpete
Well-known member
1/2" drills absolutely need a side handle. I have two corded, a Milwaukee magnum, and for really heavy work, an industrial grade Black & Decker with two side handles. Over the years, I've used a lot of air tools, mainly because the shops I worked in had air systems and overhead reels, and my home shop does as well. For sheet metal work, I have 1/4" aircraft type drills, both straight and right angle that run at 3000 rpm, something you won't see on corded or battery drills.
I don't really use a battery drill much unless I'm doing something away from power or air.