Right Angle Pneumatic Drills

[seanb02]

Hey folks, I am looking into purchasing a right angle air drill for those times when drilling in confined spaces. Considered cordless, however they don't appear to be all that compact. Don't really want to deal with a cord, air hose is a bit easier.

So with that being said, what brand? Didn't see any threads on here discussing right angle air drills previously. Maybe they aren't popular and there is a good reason for that? I'm also considering purchasing a regular air drill at the same time and not sure on brand for that one either. I was thinking 3/8" chuck should be fine, don't really care if it is keyed or keyless on the chuck.

Considered Snap-on for the regular style of drill, but don't think I'll use it quite often enough to justify the cost. Also they don't appear to make a right angle drill. Three considerations that I currently have are offerings from Astro Pneumatic, Ingersoll Rand, and Aircat. Interestingly enough the IR claims .33HP, while the AP is at 0.5, and the Aircat is 0.75. I'm tempted on the Aircat due to the claims of noise reduction and the higher HP rating.

I will link the 3 models I was looking at below. Anybody have any input regarding these models? Or another one I should be considering? Thanks!

https://www.astrotools.com/3-8-reversible-angle-head-air-drill-1-800rpm.html

https://www.ingersollrand.com/en-eu/power-tools/products/drilling-tools/3-8-right-angle-air.html#tab-2-36e4a2cf-724f-4dff-9c7e-6340988dfca6

https://aircat.com/3-8-composite-drill-jacobsr-chuck-531

 

[WhataTool]

We have an old Mac Tools RA air drill and when I asked our distributor if he carried parts recently he gave me a number to call and astro picked up! I guess it's the same drill they've been selling for a long time, has treated us well.

When it comes to a right angle drill, power isn't everything - you often dont have the leverage to be putting much brunt behind it anyways. But yeah, every air drill I've ever used is loud.

 

[Wamsutta]

Dotco

http://mrotools.com/images/products...ht-angle-pneumatic-drills-light-duty-head.jpg

https://www.yardstore.com/media/catalog/product/cache/c687aa7517cf01e65c009f6943c2b1e9/1/5/15810.jpg

 

[Tallpilot]

I have the Astro. I don't use it much; usually with a left handed drill to extract broken fasteners in a tight spot. I've been happy with it. The Aircat looks more comfortable with the overmold and a reverse selector might work better instead of a button you have to hold down.
Let us know if it's 'quiet.'

 

[Mohawk Dave]

The aerospace stuff used on eBay is the most bang for the buck... Plus top of the line stuff.

Cleco
Dotco
Aro
CP
IR

Common sizes are 3/8, 1/2, and threaded shank (some call them snake drills IIRC)

The threaded shank drills are the most low profile... But I've only seen up to maybe 1/4" threaded shank drills... They might go larger?? Never googled it.

If you can get a reversible RA drill that's really the bee's knees.... Because somehow you're always using it on damaged stuff.

Edit: I just saw Tallpilot say his Astro is reversible... Sounds like a winner.

 

[seanb02]

Thanks for the input so far. Reversible is a must for sure, and I do believe that those 3 that I linked are reversible. Regular chuck only, none of the threaded shank type. While that would be the way to go for repetitive work in certain sizes, it would be cost prohibitive to get a comprehensive set of that sort of bit, it needs to be interchangeable with regular bits.

Also no eBay, I don't care if I have to spend twice the price elsewhere I've never done eBay and never will. I'm not at all opposed to used quality tools so don't get me wrong on that one.

 

[Bellaireroad]

The aerospace stuff is for drilling rivet holes in sheet metal. Impractical for use around the shop. The bits are bought in bulk, and sizes are limited. That being said, I have an IR , and a Cleco that I use for sheet metal work

I also have the Astro with adjustable bit, it gets used most of the time for general shop stuff. It is reversible





Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Macneil]

I have the Aircat that you linked. I don’t use it often, however it has saved me a few times. The exhaust is able to move so you don’t get it in your face. It’s got power and it’s quite sturdy.

I’d considered the M12 Milwaukee but when I bought it I ended up needing it that day. Ford V10 exhaust manifold stud..


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[joshmodelskidoo]

I have a sanborn 3/in air drill and a Chicago Pneumatic 1/2in And i use my cordless drill way more but occasionally i use them. I got one at a yard sale for like $5 and the other out of somebody’s trash on the curb and it works fine. A standard electric angle drill I would think would be more useful because you can plug that in anywhere unless you are just getting it for in the shop use. Its one of those things that you could probably cheap out on because it would most likely not be used much. For my self I think I would look into the hf stuff

 

[The Tool Tyrant]

I have this Chicago Pneumatic https://www.cp.com/en-us/tools/products/drills/cp879c I like it... 3/8" Jacobs chuck, reversible, nice feathering trigger with lockout, good power.

 

[seanb02]

I like the looks of that CP unit, kind of narrowed it down to either that one or the Aircat. Reason being the composite housing tends to be a bit more comfortable when using on a cold day. Most of my other air tools are composite as well. Uses will be almost strictly for metal work in the shop. If I end up doing more things with wood down the line, or working on things in a house I will get a cordless. For my current uses pneumatic is likely best.

Tend to forget about Chicago Pneumatic when considering air tools, for some reason when I see CP my mind goes straight to Central Pneumatic, and personally I am not a fan of most things that come from the place that carries those tools.

 

[vanapplebomb]

With angle drills, air is the way to go. Way more compact than a cordless, and much more comfortable to hold with one hand. Any generic 3/8 pneumatic angle drill these days works pretty well. It isn’t a tool you use all the time, so even an economy one lasts a long time if oiled before each use. It also doesn’t hurt to take a cheap one apart and add a little more light weight grease to the gears since most don’t come with enough in my opinion. Put a block and barrel style 360 air swivel on the inlet, and it will easy go anywhere your arm can fit.

 

[WittHay]

Have seen the Mac AD3800AH on the truck and I like it. Made in Taiwan and that smaller classic aluminum style with the no safety lever

The composite CP 879C is popular around here sold at most parts and tool stores. Slightly larger with the comfortable composite housing

 

[zmotorsports]

This topic came up recently and here is my post copied and pasted pertaining to my preference in angle drill motors. I'm not a fan of the large bulky 90-degree drill motors as they really don't net you much in the way of access but these aviation style drill motors work fantastic in tight spaces.


I have a few different angle drills and all have been very beneficial in their respective situations.

My IR 3/8” with a standard chuck also gas reverse. The drill works well and has good torque, however, I don’t care for where the reverse button is located as I frequently but it accidentally when changing grips of repositioning my hand.




The next two angle drills are hands down my favorite. These are IR mini drills used pretty extensively in the aerospace or aircraft maintenance field. I have them in a 90-degree and 45-degree flavor.


They require these threaded drill bits that I have acquired a decent assortment of over the past couple of decades.


The mini drills are expensive but well worth. Luckily I was able to purchase mine at an estate sale and they were in like new condition.

 

[bob15]

St Louis Pneumatic has these:

https://www.stlouispneumatic.com/angledrills.htm

and these pistol grip ones:

https://www.stlouispneumatic.com/pistolgripdrills.htm

 

[seanb02]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I ordered the CP 879C last night from Amazon. Supposed to be here Sunday. Not sure when I'll have the first opportunity to try it out, but over the last few weeks I've had quite a few instances where one would have been very beneficial to have.

Also ordered the CP 9790C regular pistol grip drill. This should cover my uses for quite a while. Most of the time I'll probably still grab my cordless for drilling random holes in objects, but I think the pneumatic will be used a lot when I have to drill a significant amount of holes in sheet metal and whatnot.

I've got a Snap-on 18v and a DeWalt 20v that are both excellent for cordless needs, but they can be rather large and cumbersome when punching small pilot holes and projects that require more than a few holes. Having the option of air will fill in this gap quite nicely.