pneumatic drill

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Ok, this question really isn't about welding or even metal working but I figured someone here will know the answer. Does a 1/2" heavy duty pneumatic drill have as much torque as a 1/2" electric drill? I know it will vary from drill to drill. The reason I ask is I want to run the jacks up and down on my horse trailer with a drill rather than by hand (7,000+ pin weight, don't need that much of a workout). I have a large B&D drill (400 rpm and only 2.6 amp) that will run the jacks but it isn't reversible (it's ancient) so I'm looking for another drill that will do the job and is reversible. I have air on the truck (air brakes) so a pneumatic drill is an obvious choice but I want to make sure it will work before I go buy one, mostly I'm concerned about it having enough torque to get things started.And on the welding side I did make an adapter to go where the jack handle goes out of 1" pipe with a 1/2" allen wrench welded into it to go in the drill. Sorry , no pics.HH 187Miller Bluestar1EAHP AlphaTig 200X
Reply:The answer is ...it depends.  Just like your current drill only has a 2.6 amp motor, you can get air drills with different power ratings.An IR 7308A 1/2 inch air drill sucks 4 cfm at 'idle' and 27 CFM at load and has a rated output of 0.5 hp or 380W.  The air drill has a no-load speed of 400 rpm.A Dewalt DW246 1/2 inch variable speed reversible heavy-duty drill has a speed range of 0-600 rpm and a 7.8 amp motor rated at 600W output.I'd just get a new heavy-duty 1/2 inch VSR drill.
Reply:Originally Posted by GreyhorseOk, this question really isn't about welding or even metal working but I figured someone here will know the answer. Does a 1/2" heavy duty pneumatic drill have as much torque as a 1/2" electric drill? I know it will vary from drill to drill. The reason I ask is I want to run the jacks up and down on my horse trailer with a drill rather than by hand (7,000+ pin weight, don't need that much of a workout). I have a large B&D drill (400 rpm and only 2.6 amp) that will run the jacks but it isn't reversible (it's ancient) so I'm looking for another drill that will do the job and is reversible. I have air on the truck (air brakes) so a pneumatic drill is an obvious choice but I want to make sure it will work before I go buy one, mostly I'm concerned about it having enough torque to get things started.And on the welding side I did make an adapter to go where the jack handle goes out of 1" pipe with a 1/2" allen wrench welded into it to go in the drill. Sorry , no pics.
Reply:A pneumatic drill generally has low torque and high speed.  With electric, the slower the speed, the greater the torque.  Not to say that it couldn't be done, but I would think a speed reducer would probably be needed.America Needs AMERICA'S Oil!!!"Global warming is the greatest scam in history ...There is no run away climate change. The impact of humans on climate is not catastrophic. Our planet is not in peril."--John Coleman, Founder of The Weather Channel
Reply:why not modify the jacks to run with an impact gun? most of those are able to get 100 ft.lbs. easily enough, and some of the bigger ones (like MAC, Matco and/or Snap-On) have been rated at close to 600 ft.lbs i believe... check around... i foudn out that if i hood up a 13 mm socket to an impact gun, i can raise and lower my dad's excusion with the stock bottle jack in about 30 seconds, including the time it takes to get the jack out, set it under the truck axle, and then using the impact gun to rasie it... i have also seen the crappy electric ones that plug into your 12VDC source (cirgarette Lighter).just a thought.Later,Andy
Reply:Maybe just an air racthet??? Lot slower than that old dril but a lot faster than hand crank.
Reply:Originally Posted by SandyMaybe just an air racthet??? Lot slower than that old dril but a lot faster than hand crank.
Reply:The answer is both can have exceptional torque.  It's all in the design. I have a Chicago Pneumatic 1/2" air drill that will twist your arm off, but an electric Milwaukee Hole Hog will too.Hobart 140 Handler w/ gasHyperTherm Powermax 380 Plasmaoxy/acetylene
Reply:Impacts do just that, maybe its just me but I dont know If I would want to repeatedly subject the screws in the jack to an impact wrench
Reply:Originally Posted by MoonRiseThe answer is ...I'd just get a new heavy-duty 1/2 inch VSR drill.
Reply:Originally Posted by wizard69This  is a good idea.    Maybe better to get a battery powered unit.   Get the new battery technology and you will be much further ahead than the old ni-cad batteries.    In any event it is hard to go wrong with a battery powered drill, once you have one you will wonder how you got by without.dave
Reply:I have a sanp on 1/2" drive reversable air drill.  Its noisy as hell, It has some power, but its smooooth power.   I can drive a sharp 1/2" bit into a piolet hole and drill away.  Just adding enough pressure on the drill so the bit is turning real slow making big chips.  I can't do that with an electric drill.As said above, they eat air like there aint no tomorrow.  You would have to make air, then use the air powered drill.  Electric would be just as good or even better.DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Air drill motors are typically, either low-speed/high torque, or high-speed/low torque...get the right one and it should work for you. Amount of torque will ultimately depend on the pressure  in your air system.For most applications I'll take electric ( with a cord) any day over air. We do work in the grain elevators where there is a ban on electric tools...everything must be pneumatic because of the explosion hazard. Cutting 1/4 plate with a TIGAIR is no fun.
Reply:Hmmmm.... sounds like electric is probably the way to go but it'll be less convenient and cost more to set up. I'm not going to use an impact wrench on the jacks, dual jack setup with a high/low gearbox, big $$$ if I break it. Sounds like I need to find someone with a pneumatic drill and see if it will work. Thanks for trying to answer my question everyone.HH 187Miller Bluestar1EAHP AlphaTig 200X
Reply:looks liked a Air ratchet that produces a nice 90ft/lbs. of torque using only 4cfm can be had for $99  http://www.aircompressorsdirect.com/...roducts_id=199