Pneumatic drills

Pneumatic drills: everything you need to know

Air drill is designed to bore holes in metal and plastic. It comes with various bits. Apart from its main function, it is also used for sanding, polishing, sharpening and cutting. It is suitable for installation and dismantling of fasteners as well as helps to mix glue and paint.

Operating principle

The main parts of an air drill are the rotary engine, planetary gear and starter. When the trigger is pulled or button is pressed, compressed air is transmitted to the impeller making it rotate. The planetary gear transmits torque to the spindle which is directly connected to the chuck.

What are the types of pneumatic drills

By design:

• Straight. The rotational axes of the chuck and motor align in such devices. Their bodies might have a cylindrical shape or be made in the form of a pistol. In the first case, it is more comfortable to use the tools for vertical drilling while in the second case, suitable for both vertical and horizontal drilling.
• Angle. The axis of the chuck is at a right angle to the axis of the motor. Such tools are more suitable for using them in hard to reach places like space under the bonnet.

By intended purpose:

• For high-strength steel. Produce about 100–800 rpm.
• For plastic. The speed ranges between 800 and 2600 rpm.
• For soft metals (aluminium, copper). Might have the speed of over 2600 rpm.

By the way the chuck is attached to the spindle:

• With a Morse taper. Characterised by easy and fast assembly. You need to use a hammer to dismantle the chuck.
• With threading. At present, these are the most widely spread. When being used, they tighten themselves which provides a secure fit.

Drills might differ in the way a drill bit is fixed in the chuck. The latter fall into:

• Keyless. Make changing drill and other bits fast and easy.
• Keyed. More reliable, especially, when exposed to high loads. However, to install and dismantle a drill bit you’ll need a chuck key.

Tips on using pneumatic drills

Before you start, make sure that the drill bit or tip you’ve chosen fit. Check if they are securely fixed. Examine the equipment for damage. If you’ve noticed any defects on the body or pneumatic actuator parts, do not use the tool. It is dangerous.

Do not throw away the manual and always keep it in an easy to reach the place. Any works performed with the help of the tool should comply with the recommendations stated in the manual.

Do not violate safety regulations. Perform all the works wearing gloves, protective goggles and earmuffs. Do not leave a working air drill unattended. Do not touch a rotating drill bit or chuck. Prevent air supply hoses from being tensioned or kinked.

All actions which involve changing bits or rotational direction require disconnecting the equipment from the pneumatic actuator.

Lubricate the moving parts of the tool when the work is over. Keep it in a well-ventilated room at the temperature above 5 °С and relative humidity up to 70%.

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