DeWalt 3/8 in. Pneumatic Reversible Drill

First impressions and setup

I put the DeWalt air drill to work in a mix of shop tasks—sheet metal, light fabrication, and some general maintenance—where I typically prefer pneumatic tools for their consistency and durability. Out of the box, this is a straightforward, no-frills pistol-grip drill: aluminum housing, rubber overmold on the handle, and a rear-exhaust design that keeps air and atomized oil away from the work area. It uses a 1/4-inch air inlet and doesn’t ship with a hose or fittings, so plan to have your air line and couplers ready.

At 3.3 pounds and roughly 9 inches long, the drill lands in the middle of the pack for size and weight. It’s not ultralight, but it’s well-balanced. The handle shape and overmold feel good in the hand, even with gloves, and the tool’s mass helps it track steadily against the work without a lot of chatter.

Speed, torque, and real-world performance

The drill tops out around 2,100 RPM at 90 psi, which is a useful middle ground. I could feather the trigger to start holes cleanly in steel and aluminum, and still have enough speed for small bits to clear chips. It’s not a torque monster, so I wouldn’t choose it for big hole saws or large bits in dense hardwoods, but for common shop tasks—pilot holes, step-bit work in sheet metal, tapping prep, bracket installs—it’s right at home.

Power delivery felt consistent, provided the compressor kept up. If your airline or fittings are restrictive, or your compressor can’t hold pressure during sustained drilling, you’ll feel it. With a properly set regulator (90 psi at the tool during load) and a reasonably free-flowing hose, the drill maintains pace without bogging. That’s one of the advantages of air over compact cordless in a shop setting: continuous runtime and no thermal throttling.

Noise-wise, it’s a pneumatic drill, so plan on hearing protection. The tone is relatively even—no high-pitched whine—but it’s still loud. Vibration is well controlled; I could run the drill for long periods without hand fatigue beyond the usual grip force to keep bits cutting cleanly.

Control and feel

The variable-speed trigger offers good modulation. It’s easy to sneak up on a slow RPM for starting holes in thin stock or for countersinking. The trigger pull is linear and predictable, which matters more than raw speed in day-to-day use. I had no trouble maintaining low-speed control for tapping with a guide, though 2,100 RPM is high for freehand tapping; this is a “go slow and steady” proposition, not a dedicated tapping head replacement.

Forward and reverse are switched with a one-hand control accessible from either side of the head. The ambidextrous access makes direction changes fast without repositioning your grip—handy when clearing chips or backing out stuck fasteners. The trade-off is that the selector protrudes on both sides. In tight quarters or when my off-hand was locked into a brace, I managed to bump the selector once or twice and nick the edge of neutral. It’s not a deal-breaker, but I would prefer a more recessed or single-sided selector to reduce accidental contact.

The rear exhaust is well executed. It keeps the cold blast off the work and away from your face, and it helps reduce oil mist on the material. In very confined spaces you’ll still feel some air bounce back, but overall it’s cleaner than side-exhaust designs.

Chuck quality and bit retention

The quick-change keyless chuck is a time saver. Swapping between pilot bits, step bits, and countersinks is fast, and the knurling has enough bite for a secure hand tighten. Under higher load—like an aggressive step bit in steel—I found it best to snug the chuck twice: tighten, rotate the collar, and tighten again. That second click helps prevent loosening under pulsing torque. Runout was minimal to the eye and hand. For precision drilling in thin material, I had no wandering beyond what I’d expect from the bit and technique.

As with most keyless chucks, there’s a limit to how much torque you can throw at it before it slips. If you routinely drill large holes in heavy stock, you’ll want a slower, higher-torque air drill or a keyed chuck. For general fab and maintenance work, the keyless solution strikes a good balance between speed and security.

Air supply and maintenance

This drill is rated to run at 90 psi and uses a standard 1/4-inch inlet. I had the best results using a 3/8-inch ID hose to minimize pressure drop. A little daily oil goes a long way—two to three drops in the inlet before use or an inline oiler if you prefer. Keep the air clean and dry and the trigger and vanes will stay happy. If you do oil the tool manually, expect a short initial mist; the rear exhaust helps keep that off your work.

Like most air tools, the drill rewards a simple maintenance routine. Wipe the chuck jaws, clear any chips, and check fittings for leaks. The aluminum housing and rubber overmold are robust enough for shop bumps and bench drops, but I try to hang it rather than toss it in a drawer to protect the chuck and selector.

Ergonomics and usability

• Weight and balance: The 3.3-pound weight gives the tool a planted feel. Overhead or extended reach drilling will still tire your forearm, but it’s manageable. The grip angle lets you push straight behind the bit, which reduces wandering.
• Trigger and direction control: Excellent trigger feathering. The two-sided direction switch is fast but can be bumped in cramped areas.
• Exhaust and comfort: Rear exhaust keeps the work area cleaner and your knuckles warmer. The handle overmold helps with grip, especially when your gloves are dusty or oily.

Where this drill fits best

If your workflow is built around a shop compressor, this DeWalt is a solid daily driver for small to medium drilling tasks. It’s ideal for:

• Automotive work: brackets, sheet metal, interiors, light drilling on frames and body panels.
• Fabrication: pilot holes, clearance holes, rivet prep, countersinking.
• Maintenance: mounting hardware, electrical enclosures, fixtures.

It’s not the right choice for large-diameter wood boring, big hole saws, or heavy structural steel; the speed and keyless chuck aren’t tuned for those loads. Likewise, if you primarily work in finished spaces without compressed air, a cordless drill is more convenient. But in a shop setting where air is a given, the consistency and continuous run time are hard to beat.

Warranty and value

DeWalt backs the drill with a 3-year limited warranty, a 90-day money-back guarantee, and a 1-year free service contract. That’s a generous safety net for a pneumatic tool, and it aligns with the overall impression here: a straightforward, durable drill designed for daily use rather than gimmicks. There are no included accessories or hose, which is typical; you’ll need to supply your own fittings and Teflon tape.

Shortcomings to note

• The two-sided forward/reverse selector is easy to reach but can be bumped. A lower-profile or single-sided lever would be an improvement.
• The keyless chuck can loosen under high intermittent torque. Double-tighten, or consider a keyed-chuck alternative if your work demands it.
• It’s not designed for high-torque, low-speed drilling. If that’s your primary need, look for a slower, geared air drill.

None of these are fatal flaws, but they’re part of choosing the right tool for the job.

Recommendation

I recommend the DeWalt air drill for shop users who want a dependable, mid-speed 3/8-inch pneumatic drill with clean ergonomics, a solid trigger, and a practical rear-exhaust design. It’s a reliable performer for metal and general maintenance tasks, with enough speed for small bits and enough control for careful starts. The ambidextrous direction control is convenient, though it’s also the feature I’d most like to see refined. If your work leans heavily on large bits or high-torque applications, consider a slower, keyed alternative. For everyday drilling on air, this one earns a spot on the pegboard.