Light Aircraft Association

I need to buy my first air drill but not sure what specification and features to look for.I would like it to be adaptable; not just for building an all metal aeroplane. Recommendations on specs., features and what to avoid please.

I would suggest that the first thing to understand is that you need sufficient compressor output to run it.

I have a right-angled air drill with a 10mm chuck that does for most jobs, but I can't remember the make - it wasn't too expensive and does a good job.

The 90 degree capability is very useful but doesn't stop it from doing conventional jobs of course.

I'm sure there are more expert opinions available!

I'm cannot offer one of those 'more expert opinions' other than to say you want a nice 'soft' trigger action. You will need to be able to lightly ease the trigger so that the drill will turn slowly and then accelerate as you pull on more trigger. Cheap drills often have an all or nothing triggger that makes them difficult to use on accurate work.
Come on you RV guys, offer some advice on good makes and models and where they can be bought from.

Mine is a Bergen I remember. A cheap brand but does have the soft trigger favoured by HM Brian H, King of Swampey's

We used to draw Ingersoll Rand pneumatic tools from stores in the RN and they are the bee's knees. The general rule is - if you are going to use it a lot, get the best available. For infrequent use get a reasonable one from "Machine Mart". Don't forget to include an in line lubricator and water separator/filter in your air supply.

I brought 2 when I was tooling up for my build.
Sheet metal drilling needs high RPM, much higher than general purpose air drills
I brought a PAN American 2600RPM but wished I had the 4000rpm version.
The second drill was from Lidel, yes you read that right, and IIRC cost around £15. I think RPM is around 1500, no good for sheet metal, bit OK for general drilling

The PAN is a lovely bit of kit compared with the Chinese made one from Lidel. You get what you pay for
Soft trigger is good idea, as is adequate air supply

The compressor I'll be using does 14cu.ft./min. at 150psi with a 50lt. receiver.I've seen a Chicago drill that has a 10mm(keyed)chuck, 380w(0.5hp) motor, 4200rpm, teasing trigger, is reversible and weighs just over a kilo. Overkill? Too heavy? Keyless chuck?
Saw a lovely drill that turned out to be a DeSoutter, but at nearly £500, I decided to look for something else.

Most air drills for aircraft work are 1/4" chucks, and weight 1.3 to 1.5 lb

Keyless chucks increase the weight a noticable amount

Here is the list from Avery. the PAN 4000RPM keyless is on sale:-)

I have a 60300B and it looks and handles great

The CP789R-42 3/8" (10mm) weights a whole pound more

Compressor will be fine

I was about to mention De Souter/Ingersoll Rand . However, progressive trigger yes. Reversible (you can tap threads with it carefully) I like keyless chucks. Go to a decent industrial tool store not the average "DIY lasts 5minutes" job.

Bought a Pan American 4000rpm palm drill. Looks and feels just right.

I have a Souix air drill supplied by Avery, its built an RV9 and been manhandled on 26 LAA metalwork courses. Expensive...yes...the best you can buy...probably. We also use several £40 air drills from machine mart / screw fix on the courses for comparison (and they really are heavy and second rate). The Souix will run sufficiently well on 40psi, the biggest drill in our kind of aviation is 1/4 inch (because you drill bigger holes using a step drill) and aviation drill bits cut clockwise so there is little need for a reverse. The Souix is 0.7kg, compact and used to come with a lifetime warranty. You get what you pay for, so buy the best and have a brilliant tool for ever. I believe Souix are now part of Chicargo tools, check out Gloucester airparts / Avery tools. Regards Gary Smith.

I use a Chicago Pneumatics cp7300 air drill.

They can be had for around £65 and up - just Google it in the UK.

Excellent mini air drill, light, good trigger, gets into small places easily.